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Raffaele S, Nguyen N, Milanese M, Mannella FC, Boccazzi M, Frumento G, Bonanno G, Abbracchio MP, Bonifacino T, Fumagalli M. Montelukast improves disease outcome in SOD1 G93A female mice by counteracting oligodendrocyte dysfunction and aberrant glial reactivity. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:3303-3326. [PMID: 38751168 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) loss and consequent muscle atrophy, for which no effective therapies are available. Recent findings reveal that disease progression is fuelled by early aberrant neuroinflammation and the loss of oligodendrocytes with neuroprotective and remyelinating properties. On this basis, pharmacological interventions capable of restoring a pro-regenerative local milieu and re-establish proper oligodendrocyte functions may be beneficial. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Here, we evaluated the in vivo therapeutic effects of montelukast (MTK), an antagonist of the oligodendroglial G protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) and of cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1R) receptors on microglia and astrocytes, in the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model. We chronically treated SOD1G93A mice with MTK, starting from the early symptomatic disease stage. Disease progression was assessed by behavioural and immunohistochemical approaches. KEY RESULTS Oral MTK treatment significantly extended survival probability, delayed body weight loss and ameliorated motor functionalityonly in female SOD1G93A mice. Noteworthy, MTK significantly restored oligodendrocyte maturation and induced significant changes in the reactive phenotype and morphological features of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes in the spinal cord of female SOD1G93A mice, suggesting enhanced pro-regenerative functions. Importantly, concomitant MN preservation has been detected after MTK administration. No beneficial effects were observed in male mice, highlighting a sex-based difference in the protective activity of MTK. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results provide the first preclinical evidence indicating that repurposing of MTK, a safe and marketed anti-asthmatic drug, may be a promising sex-specific strategy for personalized ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Raffaele
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology of Purinergic Transmission, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nhung Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca C Mannella
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology of Purinergic Transmission, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Boccazzi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology of Purinergic Transmission, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Frumento
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria P Abbracchio
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology of Purinergic Transmission, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3R Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Fumagalli
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology of Purinergic Transmission, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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2
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Nógrádi B, Nógrádi-Halmi D, Erdélyi-Furka B, Kádár Z, Csont T, Gáspár R. Mechanism of motoneuronal and pyramidal cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and its potential therapeutic modulation. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:291. [PMID: 38898006 PMCID: PMC11187107 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02055-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by muscle atrophy and progressive paralysis. Loss of motoneurons and pyramidal cells is thought to be the center piece of the complex and multifaceted ALS pathology, however, the exact mechanisms laying behind motoneuronal cell death in the spinal cord and motor cortex are still unknown. It was originally proposed that apoptosis plays a fundamental role in motoneuronal demise, nonetheless, later it became clear that other forms of regulated cell death, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy-dependent cell death, may also contribute to motoneuron loss. Over the past years, multiple studies aimed to improve our understanding of the contributory role of these mechanisms as well as to offer novel targets for potential therapeutic interventions. The pharmacological inhibition of the ferroptotic pathway and the modulation of the autophagic machinery seem to have particularly promising effects, reducing motoneuron loss and slowing disease progression in transgenic models of ALS. Nevertheless, the potential beneficial effects of necroptosis-targeting interventions were mostly disproven in the latest studies. In this review we aim to summarize the current view on regulated cell death mechanisms that lead to motoneuronal and pyramidal cell degeneration in ALS and showcase their applicability as future drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernát Nógrádi
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dóra Nógrádi-Halmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Barbara Erdélyi-Furka
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zalán Kádár
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Csont
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Renáta Gáspár
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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3
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Jagaraj CJ, Shadfar S, Kashani SA, Saravanabavan S, Farzana F, Atkin JD. Molecular hallmarks of ageing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:111. [PMID: 38430277 PMCID: PMC10908642 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05164-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, severely debilitating and rapidly progressing disorder affecting motor neurons in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. Unfortunately, there are few effective treatments, thus there remains a critical need to find novel interventions that can mitigate against its effects. Whilst the aetiology of ALS remains unclear, ageing is the major risk factor. Ageing is a slowly progressive process marked by functional decline of an organism over its lifespan. However, it remains unclear how ageing promotes the risk of ALS. At the molecular and cellular level there are specific hallmarks characteristic of normal ageing. These hallmarks are highly inter-related and overlap significantly with each other. Moreover, whilst ageing is a normal process, there are striking similarities at the molecular level between these factors and neurodegeneration in ALS. Nine ageing hallmarks were originally proposed: genomic instability, loss of telomeres, senescence, epigenetic modifications, dysregulated nutrient sensing, loss of proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, stem cell exhaustion, and altered inter-cellular communication. However, these were recently (2023) expanded to include dysregulation of autophagy, inflammation and dysbiosis. Hence, given the latest updates to these hallmarks, and their close association to disease processes in ALS, a new examination of their relationship to pathophysiology is warranted. In this review, we describe possible mechanisms by which normal ageing impacts on neurodegenerative mechanisms implicated in ALS, and new therapeutic interventions that may arise from this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Jones Jagaraj
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sina Shadfar
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sara Assar Kashani
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sayanthooran Saravanabavan
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Fabiha Farzana
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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4
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Zamani A, Thomas E, Wright DK. Sex biology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 95:102228. [PMID: 38354985 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Although sex differences in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have not been studied systematically, numerous clinical and preclinical studies have shown sex to be influential in disease prognosis. Moreover, with the development of advanced imaging tools, the difference between male and female brain in structure and function and their response to neurodegeneration are more definitive. As discussed in this review, ALS patients exhibit a sex bias pertaining to the features of the disease, and their clinical, pathological, (and pathophysiological) phenotypes. Several epidemiological studies have indicated that this sex disparity stems from various aetiologies, including sex-specific brain structure and neural functioning, genetic predisposition, age, gonadal hormones, susceptibility to traumatic brain injury (TBI)/head trauma and lifestyle factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Zamani
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Emma Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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5
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Duranti E, Villa C. Muscle Involvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Understanding the Pathogenesis and Advancing Therapeutics. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1582. [PMID: 38002264 PMCID: PMC10669302 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal condition characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Muscle involvement, muscle atrophy, and subsequent paralysis are among the main features of this disease, which is defined as a neuromuscular disorder. ALS is a persistently progressive disease, and as motor neurons continue to degenerate, individuals with ALS experience a gradual decline in their ability to perform daily activities. Ultimately, muscle function loss may result in paralysis, presenting significant challenges in mobility, communication, and self-care. While the majority of ALS research has traditionally focused on pathogenic pathways in the central nervous system, there has been a great interest in muscle research. These studies were carried out on patients and animal models in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved and to develop therapies aimed at improving muscle function. This review summarizes the features of ALS and discusses the role of muscle, as well as examines recent studies in the development of treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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6
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Solovyev N, Lucio M, Mandrioli J, Forcisi S, Kanawati B, Uhl J, Vinceti M, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Michalke B. Interplay of Metallome and Metabolome in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Study on Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients Carrying Disease-Related Gene Mutations. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3035-3046. [PMID: 37608584 PMCID: PMC10485893 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by a loss of function of upper and lower motor neurons. This study aimed to explore probable pathological alterations occurring in individuals with ALS compared to neurologically healthy controls through the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a medium, which directly interacts with brain parenchyma. A total of 7 ALS patients with disease-associated mutations (ATXN2, C9ORF72, FUS, SOD1, and TARDBP) and 13 controls were included in the study. Multiple analytical approaches were employed, including metabolomic and metallomics profiling, as well as genetic screening, using CSF samples obtained from the brain compartment. Data analysis involved the application of multivariate statistical methods. Advanced hyphenated selenium and redox metal (iron, copper, and manganese) speciation techniques and nontargeted Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry-based metabolomics were used for data acquisition. Nontargeted metabolomics showed reduced steroids, including sex hormones; additionally, copper and manganese species were found to be the most relevant features for ALS patients. This indicates a potential alteration of sex hormone pathways in the ALS-affected brain, as reflected in the CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Solovyev
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marianna Lucio
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department
of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Department
of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria
di Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Forcisi
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Basem Kanawati
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jenny Uhl
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN
Research Center of Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology,
Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Michalke
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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7
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Covey DF, Evers AS, Izumi Y, Maguire JL, Mennerick SJ, Zorumski CF. Neurosteroid enantiomers as potentially novel neurotherapeutics. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 149:105191. [PMID: 37085023 PMCID: PMC10750765 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous neurosteroids and synthetic neuroactive steroids (NAS) are important targets for therapeutic development in neuropsychiatric disorders. These steroids modulate major signaling systems in the brain and intracellular processes including inflammation, cellular stress and autophagy. In this review, we describe studies performed using unnatural enantiomers of key neurosteroids, which are physiochemically identical to their natural counterparts except for rotation of polarized light. These studies led to insights in how NAS interact with receptors, ion channels and intracellular sites of action. Certain effects of NAS show high enantioselectivity, consistent with actions in chiral environments and likely direct interactions with signaling proteins. Other effects show no enantioselectivity and even reverse enantioselectivity. The spectrum of effects of NAS enantiomers raises the possibility that these agents, once considered only as tools for preclinical studies, have therapeutic potential that complements and in some cases may exceed their natural counterparts. Here we review studies of NAS enantiomers from the perspective of their potential development as novel neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas F Covey
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Anesthesiology Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alex S Evers
- Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Anesthesiology Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yukitoshi Izumi
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jamie L Maguire
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven J Mennerick
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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8
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Tamburello M, Abate A, Rossini E, Basnet RM, Zizioli D, Cosentini D, Hantel C, Laganà M, Tiberio GAM, Grisanti S, Memo M, Berruti A, Sigala S. Preclinical Evidence of Progesterone as a New Pharmacological Strategy in Human Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076829. [PMID: 37047801 PMCID: PMC10095539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a dismal prognosis. The treatment includes mitotane and EDP chemotherapy (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin). However, new therapeutic approaches for advanced ACC are needed, particularly targeting the metastatic process. Here, we deepen the role of progesterone as a new potential drug for ACC, in line with its antitumoral effect in other cancers. Methods: NCI-H295R, MUC-1, and TVBF-7 cell lines were used and xenografted in zebrafish embryos. Migration and invasion were studied using transwell assays, and MMP2 activity was studied using zymography. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Progesterone significantly reduced xenograft tumor area and metastasis formation in embryos injected with metastatic lines, MUC-1 and TVBF-7. These results were confirmed in vitro, where the reduction of invasion was mediated, at least in part, by the decrease in MMP2 levels. Progesterone exerted a long-lasting effect in metastaticcells. Progesterone caused apoptosis in NCI-H295R and MUC-1, inducing changes in the cell-cycle distribution, while autophagy was predominantly activated in TVBF-7 cells. Conclusion: Our results give support to the role of progesterone in ACC. The involvement of its analog (megestrol acetate) in reducing ACC progression in ACC patients undergoing EDP-M therapy is now under investigation in the PESETA phase II clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ram Manohar Basnet
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marta Laganà
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Guido Alberto Massimo Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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9
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Bianco A, Antonacci Y, Liguori M. Sex and Gender Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Challenges for Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076354. [PMID: 37047320 PMCID: PMC10093984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The term “neurodegenerative diseases” (NDs) identifies a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive loss of selectively vulnerable populations of neurons, which progressively deteriorates over time, leading to neuronal dysfunction. Protein aggregation and neuronal loss have been considered the most characteristic hallmarks of NDs, but growing evidence confirms that significant dysregulation of innate immune pathways plays a crucial role as well. NDs vary from multiple sclerosis, in which the autoimmune inflammatory component is predominant, to more “classical” NDs, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal muscular atrophy. Of interest, many of the clinical differences reported in NDs seem to be closely linked to sex, which may be justified by the significant changes in immune mechanisms between affected females and males. In this review, we examined some of the most studied NDs by looking at their pathogenic and phenotypical features to highlight sex-related discrepancies, if any, with particular interest in the individuals’ responses to treatment. We believe that pointing out these differences in clinical practice may help achieve more successful precision and personalized care.
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10
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Diab R, Pilotto F, Saxena S. Autophagy and neurodegeneration: Unraveling the role of C9ORF72 in the regulation of autophagy and its relationship to ALS-FTD pathology. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1086895. [PMID: 37006471 PMCID: PMC10060823 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1086895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper functioning of the cell clearance machinery is critical for neuronal health within the central nervous system (CNS). In normal physiological conditions, the cell clearance machinery is actively involved in the elimination of misfolded and toxic proteins throughout the lifetime of an organism. The highly conserved and regulated pathway of autophagy is one of the important processes involved in preventing and neutralizing pathogenic buildup of toxic proteins that could eventually lead to the development of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The most common genetic cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a hexanucleotide expansion consisting of GGGGCC (G4C2) repeats in the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9ORF72). These abnormally expanded repeats have been implicated in leading to three main modes of disease pathology: loss of function of the C9ORF72 protein, the generation of RNA foci, and the production of dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). In this review, we discuss the normal physiological role of C9ORF72 in the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), and present recent research deciphering how dysfunction of the ALP synergizes with C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, which together with the gain of toxic mechanisms involving hexanucleotide repeat expansions and DPRs, drive the disease process. This review delves further into the interactions of C9ORF72 with RAB proteins involved in endosomal/lysosomal trafficking, and their role in regulating various steps in autophagy and lysosomal pathways. Lastly, the review aims to provide a framework for further investigations of neuronal autophagy in C9ORF72-linked ALS-FTD as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rim Diab
- Department of Neurology, Center for Experimental Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Federica Pilotto
- Department of Neurology, Center for Experimental Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Smita Saxena
- Department of Neurology, Center for Experimental Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Smita Saxena,
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11
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Moruno-Manchon J, Noh B, McCullough L. Sex-biased autophagy as a potential mechanism mediating sex differences in ischemic stroke outcome. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:31-37. [PMID: 35799505 PMCID: PMC9241419 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.340406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide, and biological sex is an important determining factor in stroke incidence and pathology. From childhood through adulthood, men have a higher incidence of stroke compared with women. Abundant research has confirmed the beneficial effects of estrogen in experimental ischemic stroke but genetic factors such as the X-chromosome complement can also play an important role in determining sex differences in stroke. Autophagy is a self-degrading cellular process orchestrated by multiple core proteins, which leads to the engulfment of cytoplasmic material and degradation of cargo after autophagy vesicles fuse with lysosomes or endosomes. The levels and the activity of components of these signaling pathways and of autophagy-related proteins can be altered during ischemic insults. Ischemic stroke activates autophagy, however, whether inhibiting autophagy after stroke is beneficial in the brain is still under a debate. Autophagy is a potential mechanism that may contribute to differences in stroke progression between the sexes. Furthermore, the effects of manipulating autophagy may also differ between the sexes. Mechanisms that regulate autophagy in a sex-dependent manner in ischemic stroke remain unexplored. In this review, we summarize clinical and pre-clinical evidence for sex differences in stroke. We briefly introduce the autophagy process and summarize the effects of gonadal hormones in autophagy in the brain and discuss X-linked genes that could potentially regulate brain autophagy. Finally, we review pre-clinical studies that address the mechanisms that could mediate sex differences in brain autophagy after stroke.
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12
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Yoshikawa S, Taniguchi K, Sawamura H, Ikeda Y, Tsuji A, Matsuda S. Potential Diets to Improve Mitochondrial Activity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Diseases 2022; 10:diseases10040117. [PMID: 36547203 PMCID: PMC9777491 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10040117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease, the pathogenesis of which is based on alternations in the mitochondria of motor neurons, causing their progressive death. A growing body of evidence shows that more efficient mitophagy could prevent and/or treat this disorder by suppressing mitochondrial dysfunction-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Mitophagy has been considered one of the main mechanisms responsible for mitochondrial quality control. Since ALS is characterized by enormous oxidative stress, several edible phytochemicals that can activate mitophagy to remove damaged mitochondria could be considered a promising option to treat ALS by providing neuroprotection. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the mechanisms of mitophagy in ALS and to understand the effects and/or molecular mechanisms of phytochemical action, which could translate into a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS.
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13
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Tedesco B, Ferrari V, Cozzi M, Chierichetti M, Casarotto E, Pramaggiore P, Mina F, Piccolella M, Cristofani R, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Galbiati M, Poletti A. The role of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in motor neuron diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1489-1503. [PMID: 36111809 PMCID: PMC9704526 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) include a broad group of diseases in which neurodegeneration mainly affects upper and/or lower motor neurons (MNs). Although the involvement of specific MNs, symptoms, age of onset, and progression differ in MNDs, the main pathogenic mechanism common to most MNDs is represented by proteostasis alteration and proteotoxicity. This pathomechanism may be directly related to mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in the protein quality control system, particularly the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP). Alternatively, proteostasis alteration can be caused by aberrant proteins that tend to misfold and to aggregate, two related processes that, over time, cannot be properly handled by the ALP. Here, we summarize the main ALP features, focusing on different routes utilized to deliver substrates to the lysosome and how the various ALP pathways intersect with the intracellular trafficking of membranes and vesicles. Next, we provide an overview of the mutated genes that have been found associated with MNDs, how these gene products are involved in different steps of ALP and related processes. Finally, we discuss how autophagy can be considered a valid therapeutic target for MNDs treatment focusing on traditional autophagy modulators and on emerging approaches to overcome their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Cozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Pramaggiore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Mina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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14
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Shi W, Wu H, Liu S, Wu Z, Wu H, Liu J, Hou Y. Progesterone Suppresses Cholesterol Esterification in APP/PS1 mice and a cell model of Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Res Bull 2021; 173:162-173. [PMID: 34044033 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Cholesteryl ester(CE), generated from the mitochondria associated membrane (MAM), is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In theory, the different neuroprotective effects of progesterone in AD are all linked to MAM, yet the effect on cholesterol esterification has not been reported. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the regulation of progesterone on intracerebral CE in AD models and the underlying mechanism. METHODS APP/PS1 mice and AD cell model induced by Aβ 25-35 were selected as the research objects. APP/PS1 mice were daily administrated intragastrically with progesterone and The Morris Water Maze test was performed to detect the learning and memory abilities. Intracellular cholesterol was measured by Cholesterol/Cholesteryl Ester Quantitation Assay. The structure of MAMs were observed with transmission electron microscopy. The expression of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1), ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were detected with western blotting, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. RESULTS Progesterone suppressed the accumulation of intracellular CE, shortened the length of abnormally prolonged MAM in cortex of APP/PS1 mice. Progesterone decreased the expression of ACAT1, which could be blocked by progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) inhibitor AG205. The ERK1/2 pathway maybe involved in the progesterone mediated regulation of ACAT1 in AD models, rather than the PI3K/Akt and the P38 MEPK pathways. SIGNIFICANCE The results supported a line of evidence that progesterone regulates CE level and the structure of MAM in neurons of AD models, providing a promising treatment against AD on the dysfunction of cholesterol metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China.
| | - Hang Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Heze University, Heze 274000, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China.
| | - Zhigang Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Hebei North University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Zhangjiakou 075000, China.
| | - Honghai Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050082, Hebei Province, China.
| | - Jianfang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050082, Hebei Province, China.
| | - Yanning Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, China; Department of Pharmacy, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050082, Hebei Province, China.
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15
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Tomas D, McLeod VM, Chiam MDF, Wanniarachchillage N, Boon WC, Turner BJ. Dissociation of disease onset, progression and sex differences from androgen receptor levels in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9255. [PMID: 33927243 PMCID: PMC8085012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88415-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by loss of motor neurons. ALS incidence is skewed towards males with typically earlier age of onset and limb site of onset. The androgen receptor (AR) is the major mediator of androgen effects in the body and is present extensively throughout the central nervous system, including motor neurons. Mutations in the AR gene lead to selective lower motor neuron degeneration in male spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) patients, emphasising the importance of AR in maintaining motor neuron health and survival. To evaluate a potential role of AR in onset and progression of ALS, we generated SOD1G93A mice with either neural AR deletion or global human AR overexpression. Using a Cre-LoxP conditional gene knockout strategy, we report that neural deletion of AR has minimal impact on the disease course in SOD1G93A male mice. This outcome was potentially confounded by the metabolically disrupted Nestin-Cre phenotype, which likely conferred the profound lifespan extension observed in the SOD1G93A double transgenic male mice. In addition, overexpression of human AR produced no benefit to disease onset and progression in SOD1G93A mice. In conclusion, the disease course of SOD1G93A mice is independent of AR expression levels, implicating other mechanisms involved in mediating the sex differences in ALS. Our findings using Nestin-Cre mice, which show an inherent metabolic phenotype, led us to hypothesise that targeting hypermetabolism associated with ALS may be a more potent modulator of disease, than AR in this mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Tomas
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Victoria M McLeod
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Mathew D F Chiam
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Nayomi Wanniarachchillage
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Wah C Boon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, 6150, Australia.
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16
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Piscopo P, Bellenghi M, Manzini V, Crestini A, Pontecorvi G, Corbo M, Ortona E, Carè A, Confaloni A. A Sex Perspective in Neurodegenerative Diseases: microRNAs as Possible Peripheral Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094423. [PMID: 33922607 PMCID: PMC8122918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex is a significant variable in the prevalence and incidence of neurological disorders. Sex differences exist in neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), where sex dimorphisms play important roles in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the last few years, some sex specific biomarkers for the identification of NDs have been described and recent studies have suggested that microRNA (miRNA) could be included among these, as influenced by the hormonal and genetic background. Failing to consider the possible differences between males and females in miRNA evaluation could introduce a sex bias in studies by not considering some of these sex-related biomarkers. In this review, we recapitulate what is known about the sex-specific differences in peripheral miRNA levels in neurodegenerative diseases. Several studies have reported sex-linked disparities, and from the literature analysis miR-206 particularly has been shown to have a sex-specific involvement. Hopefully, in the near future, patient stratification will provide important additional clues in diagnosis, prognosis, and tailoring of the best therapeutic approaches for each patient. Sex-specific biomarkers, such as miRNAs, could represent a useful tool for characterizing subgroups of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Piscopo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-990-3538
| | - Maria Bellenghi
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Valeria Manzini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessio Crestini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Giada Pontecorvi
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Via Dezza 48, 20144 Milano, Italy;
| | - Elena Ortona
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandra Carè
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Annamaria Confaloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
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17
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Guo W, Vandoorne T, Steyaert J, Staats KA, Van Den Bosch L. The multifaceted role of kinases in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: genetic, pathological and therapeutic implications. Brain 2021; 143:1651-1673. [PMID: 32206784 PMCID: PMC7296858 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common degenerative disorder of motor neurons in adults. As there is no cure, thousands of individuals who are alive at present will succumb to the disease. In recent years, numerous causative genes and risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been identified. Several of the recently identified genes encode kinases. In addition, the hypothesis that (de)phosphorylation processes drive the disease process resulting in selective motor neuron degeneration in different disease variants has been postulated. We re-evaluate the evidence for this hypothesis based on recent findings and discuss the multiple roles of kinases in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis. We propose that kinases could represent promising therapeutic targets. Mainly due to the comprehensive regulation of kinases, however, a better understanding of the disturbances in the kinome network in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is needed to properly target specific kinases in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Guo
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven-Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tijs Vandoorne
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Steyaert
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim A Staats
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Sitruk-Ware R, Bonsack B, Brinton R, Schumacher M, Kumar N, Lee JY, Castelli V, Corey S, Coats A, Sadanandan N, Gonzales-Portillo B, Heyck M, Shear A, Blaise C, Zhang H, Sheyner M, García-Sánchez J, Navarro L, El-Etr M, De Nicola AF, Borlongan CV. Progress in progestin-based therapies for neurological disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 122:38-65. [PMID: 33359391 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hormone therapy, primarily progesterone and progestins, for central nervous system (CNS) disorders represents an emerging field of regenerative medicine. Following a failed clinical trial of progesterone for traumatic brain injury treatment, attention has shifted to the progestin Nestorone for its ability to potently and selectively transactivate progesterone receptors at relatively low doses, resulting in robust neurogenetic, remyelinating, and anti-inflammatory effects. That CNS disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and stroke, develop via demyelinating, cell death, and/or inflammatory pathological pathways advances Nestorone as an auspicious candidate for these disorders. Here, we assess the scientific and clinical progress over decades of research into progesterone, progestins, and Nestorone as neuroprotective agents in MS, ALS, SCI, and stroke. We also offer recommendations for optimizing timing, dosage, and route of the drug regimen, and identifying candidate patient populations, in advancing Nestorone to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brooke Bonsack
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jea-Young Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Vanessa Castelli
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Sydney Corey
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alexandreya Coats
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nadia Sadanandan
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Bella Gonzales-Portillo
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Matt Heyck
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alex Shear
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Cozene Blaise
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Henry Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael Sheyner
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Julián García-Sánchez
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lisset Navarro
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Cesar V Borlongan
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
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19
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Amin A, Perera ND, Beart PM, Turner BJ, Shabanpoor F. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Autophagy: Dysfunction and Therapeutic Targeting. Cells 2020; 9:E2413. [PMID: 33158177 PMCID: PMC7694295 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, there has been a drastically increased understanding of the genetic basis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Despite the identification of more than 40 different ALS-causing mutations, the accumulation of neurotoxic misfolded proteins, inclusions, and aggregates within motor neurons is the main pathological hallmark in all cases of ALS. These protein aggregates are proposed to disrupt cellular processes and ultimately result in neurodegeneration. One of the main reasons implicated in the accumulation of protein aggregates may be defective autophagy, a highly conserved intracellular "clearance" system delivering misfolded proteins, aggregates, and damaged organelles to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy is one of the primary stress response mechanisms activated in highly sensitive and specialised neurons following insult to ensure their survival. The upregulation of autophagy through pharmacological autophagy-inducing agents has largely been shown to reduce intracellular protein aggregate levels and disease phenotypes in different in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we explore the intriguing interface between ALS and autophagy, provide a most comprehensive summary of autophagy-targeted drugs that have been examined or are being developed as potential treatments for ALS to date, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies for targeting autophagy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fazel Shabanpoor
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (A.A.); (N.D.P.); (P.M.B.); (B.J.T.)
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20
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McLeod VM, Chiam MDF, Lau CL, Rupasinghe TW, Boon WC, Turner BJ. Dysregulation of Steroid Hormone Receptors in Motor Neurons and Glia Associates with Disease Progression in ALS Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5867502. [PMID: 32621747 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease targeting motor neurons which shows sexual dimorphism in its incidence, age of onset, and progression rate. All steroid hormones, including androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, have been implicated in modulating ALS. Increasing evidence suggests that steroid hormones provide neuroprotective and neurotrophic support to motor neurons, either directly or via surrounding glial cell interactions, by activating their respective nuclear hormone receptors and initiating transcriptional regulatory responses. The SOD1G93A transgenic mouse also shows sex-specific differences in age of onset and progression, and remains the most widely used model in ALS research. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the influences of steroid hormone signaling in ALS, we systemically characterized sex hormone receptor expression at transcript and protein levels, cellular localization, and the impact of disease course in lumbar spinal cords of male and female SOD1G93A mice. We found that spinal motor neurons highly express nuclear androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and progesterone receptor with variations in glial cell expression. AR showed the most robust sex-specific difference in expression and was downregulated in male SOD1G93A mouse spinal cord, in association with depletion in 5α-reductase type 2 isoform, which primarily metabolizes testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone. ERα was highly enriched in reactive astrocytes of SOD1G93A mice and ERβ was strongly upregulated. The 5α-reductase type 1 isoform was upregulated with disease progression and may influence local spinal cord hormone levels. In conclusion, steroid hormone receptor expression is dynamic and cell-type specific in SOD1G93A mice which may provide targets to modulate progression in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M McLeod
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mathew D F Chiam
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Chew L Lau
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Thusitha W Rupasinghe
- Metabolomics Australia, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wah C Boon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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21
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Cristofani R, Crippa V, Cicardi ME, Tedesco B, Ferrari V, Chierichetti M, Casarotto E, Piccolella M, Messi E, Galbiati M, Rusmini P, Poletti A. A Crucial Role for the Protein Quality Control System in Motor Neuron Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:191. [PMID: 32792938 PMCID: PMC7385251 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are fatal diseases characterized by loss of motor neurons in the brain cortex, in the bulbar region, and/or in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. While generally sporadic, inherited forms linked to mutant genes encoding altered RNA/protein products have also been described. Several different mechanisms have been found altered or dysfunctional in MNDs, like the protein quality control (PQC) system. In this review, we will discuss how the PQC system is affected in two MNDs—spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—and how this affects the clearance of aberrantly folded proteins, which accumulate in motor neurons, inducing dysfunctions and their death. In addition, we will discuss how the PQC system can be targeted to restore proper cell function, enhancing the survival of affected cells in MNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cristofani
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEND), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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22
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Zhong L, Zhang H, Ding ZF, Li J, Lv JW, Pan ZJ, Xu DX, Yin ZS. Erythropoietin-Induced Autophagy Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury and Improves Neurological Function via the Extracellular-Regulated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3993-4006. [PMID: 32647973 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01997-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the neuroprotective molecular mechanisms of erythropoietin (EPO) in rats following spinal cord injury (SCI). First, a standard SCI model was established. After drug or saline treatment was administered, locomotor function was evaluated in rats using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. H&E, Nissl, and TUNEL staining were performed to assess the ratio of cavities, number of motor neurons, and apoptotic cells in the damaged area. The relative protein and mRNA expressions were examined using western blot and qRT-PCR analyses, and the inflammatory markers, axon special protein, and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were detected by immunofluorescence. Both doses of EPO notably improved locomotor function, but high-dose EPO was more effective than low-dose EPO. Moreover, EPO reduced the cavity ratio, cell apoptosis, and motor neuron loss in the damaged area, but enhanced the autophagy level and extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) activity. Treatment with an ERK inhibitor significantly prevented the effect of EPO on SCI, and an activator mimicked the benefits of EPO. Further investigation revealed that EPO promoted SCI-induced autophagy via the ERK signaling pathway. EPO activates autophagy to promote locomotor function recovery in rats with SCI via the ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, #218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China.,Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, #218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zheng-Fei Ding
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, #218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, #81 Mei Shan Road, Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China
| | - Jin-Wei Lv
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, #81 Mei Shan Road, Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng-Jun Pan
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, #81 Mei Shan Road, Hefei, 230032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China.
| | - Zong-Sheng Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, #218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, China.
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23
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Espinosa-Garcia C, Atif F, Yousuf S, Sayeed I, Neigh GN, Stein DG. Progesterone Attenuates Stress-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Enhances Autophagy following Ischemic Brain Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3740. [PMID: 32466385 PMCID: PMC7312827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome inhibition and autophagy induction attenuate inflammation and improve outcome in rodent models of cerebral ischemia. However, the impact of chronic stress on NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagic response to ischemia remains unknown. Progesterone (PROG), a neuroprotective steroid, shows promise in reducing excessive inflammation associated with poor outcome in ischemic brain injury patients with comorbid conditions, including elevated stress. Stress primes microglia, mainly by the release of alarmins such as high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). HMGB1 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-1β production. In experiment 1, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to social defeat stress for 8 days and then subjected to global ischemia by the 4-vessel occlusion model, a clinically relevant brain injury associated with cardiac arrest. PROG was administered 2 and 6 h after occlusion and then daily for 7 days. Animals were killed at 7 or 14 days post-ischemia. Here, we show that stress and global ischemia exert a synergistic effect in HMGB1 release, resulting in exacerbation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy impairment in the hippocampus of ischemic animals. In experiment 2, an in vitro inflammasome assay, primary microglia isolated from neonatal brain tissue, were primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and stimulated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), displaying impaired autophagy and increased IL-1β production. In experiment 3, hippocampal microglia isolated from stressed and unstressed animals, were stimulated ex vivo with LPS, exhibiting similar changes than primary microglia. Treatment with PROG reduced HMGB1 release and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and enhanced autophagy in stressed and unstressed ischemic animals. Pre-treatment with an autophagy inhibitor blocked Progesterone's (PROG's) beneficial effects in microglia. Our data suggest that modulation of microglial priming is one of the molecular mechanisms by which PROG ameliorates ischemic brain injury under stressful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Espinosa-Garcia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (F.A.); (S.Y.); (I.S.); (D.G.S.)
| | - Fahim Atif
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (F.A.); (S.Y.); (I.S.); (D.G.S.)
| | - Seema Yousuf
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (F.A.); (S.Y.); (I.S.); (D.G.S.)
| | - Iqbal Sayeed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (F.A.); (S.Y.); (I.S.); (D.G.S.)
| | - Gretchen N. Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Donald G. Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (F.A.); (S.Y.); (I.S.); (D.G.S.)
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24
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Trojsi F, D’Alvano G, Bonavita S, Tedeschi G. Genetics and Sex in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Is There a Link? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103647. [PMID: 32455692 PMCID: PMC7279172 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, although multiple genetic risk factors have been recently revealed also in sporadic ALS (SALS). The pathological expansion of a hexanucleotide repeat in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) is the most common genetic mutation identified in familial ALS, detected also in 5–10% of SALS patients. C9orf72-related ALS phenotype appears to be dependent on several modifiers, including demographic factors. Sex has been reported as an independent factor influencing ALS development, with men found to be more susceptible than women. Exposure to both female and male sex hormones have been shown to influence disease risk or progression. Moreover, interplay between genetics and sex has been widely investigated in ALS preclinical models and in large populations of ALS patients carrying C9orf72 repeat expansion. In light of the current need for reclassifying ALS patients into pathologically homogenous subgroups potentially responsive to targeted personalized therapies, we aimed to review the recent literature on the role of genetics and sex as both independent and synergic factors, in the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis of ALS. Sex-dependent outcomes may lead to optimizing clinical trials for developing patient-specific therapies for ALS.
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25
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Cho KS, Lee JH, Cho J, Cha GH, Song GJ. Autophagy Modulators and Neuroinflammation. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:955-982. [PMID: 30381067 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181031144605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders. Therefore, various studies have focused on the development of neuroinflammation inhibitors as potential therapeutic tools. Recently, the involvement of autophagy in the regulation of neuroinflammation has drawn substantial scientific interest, and a growing number of studies support the role of impaired autophagy in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative disorders. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to review recent research on the role of autophagy in controlling neuroinflammation. We focus on studies employing both mammalian cells and animal models to evaluate the ability of different autophagic modulators to regulate neuroinflammation. METHODS We have mostly reviewed recent studies reporting anti-neuroinflammatory properties of autophagy. We also briefly discussed a few studies showing that autophagy modulators activate neuroinflammation in certain conditions. RESULTS Recent studies report neuroprotective as well as anti-neuroinflammatory effects of autophagic modulators. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs and their potential limitations as therapeutic agents against neurological disorders. CONCLUSION Autophagy activators are promising compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders involving neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Sang Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jang Ho Lee
- Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jeiwon Cho
- Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea.,Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Guang-Ho Cha
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, 35015 Daejeon, Korea
| | - Gyun Jee Song
- Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea.,Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Korea
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26
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D’Amico AG, Maugeri G, Saccone S, Federico C, Cavallaro S, Reglodi D, D’Agata V. PACAP Modulates the Autophagy Process in an In Vitro Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082943. [PMID: 32331311 PMCID: PMC7216177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of complex etiology leading to motor neuron degeneration. Many gene alterations cause this pathology, including mutation in Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which leads to its gain of function. Mutant SOD1 proteins are prone to aberrant misfolding and create aggregates that impair autophagy. The hypoxic stress is strictly linked to the disease progression since it induces uncontrolled autophagy activation and the consequent high rates of cell death. Previously, we showed that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts neurotrophic activity in cultured mSOD1 motor neurons exposed to serum deprivation. To date, no studies have examined whether the protective effect of PACAP on mSOD1 cells exposed to hypoxic insult is mediated through the regulation of the autophagy process. In the present study, we used the neuroblastoma-spinal cord-34 (NSC-34) cell line, stably expressing human wild type or mutant SOD1 G93A, to represent a well characterized in vitro model of a familial form of ALS. These cells were exposed to 100-µM desferrioxamine mesylate salt for 24h, to mimic the hypoxic stress affecting motor neurons during the disease progression. Our results showed that PACAP treatment significantly reduced cell death and hypoxia-induced mSOD1 accumulation by modulating the autophagy process in G93A motor neurons, as revealed by the decreased LC3II and the increased p62 levels, two autophagy indicators. These results were also confirmed by evaluating the vacuole formation detected through light chain 3 (LC3) immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the PACAP effects on autophagy seem to be mediated through the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Overall, our data demonstrated that PACAP exerts an ameliorative effect on the mSOD1 motor neuron viability by modulating a hypoxia-induced autophagy process through activation of MAPK/ERK signaling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Grazia D’Amico
- Department of Human Science and Promotion of quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University of Rome, Via di Val Cannuta, 247, 00166 Roma, Italy;
| | - Grazia Maugeri
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.S.); (C.F.)
| | - Concetta Federico
- Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.S.); (C.F.)
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Italian National Research Council, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Dora Reglodi
- Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Group, University of Pecs Medical School, 7622 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Velia D’Agata
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-378-2039; Fax: +39-095-378-2046
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27
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Vegeto E, Villa A, Della Torre S, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Galbiati M, Maggi A, Poletti A. The Role of Sex and Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5572525. [PMID: 31544208 PMCID: PMC7156855 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a wide class of disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Several factors were hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases, including genetic and environmental factors. Many of these diseases show a sex prevalence and sex steroids were shown to have a role in the progression of specific forms of neurodegeneration. Estrogens were reported to be neuroprotective through their action on cognate nuclear and membrane receptors, while adverse effects of male hormones have been described on neuronal cells, although some data also suggest neuroprotective activities. The response of the CNS to sex steroids is a complex and integrated process that depends on (i) the type and amount of the cognate steroid receptor and (ii) the target cell type-either neurons, glia, or microglia. Moreover, the levels of sex steroids in the CNS fluctuate due to gonadal activities and to local metabolism and synthesis. Importantly, biochemical processes involved in the pathogenesis of NDs are increasingly being recognized as different between the two sexes and as influenced by sex steroids. The aim of this review is to present current state-of-the-art understanding on the potential role of sex steroids and their receptors on the onset and progression of major neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the peculiar motoneuron disease spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, in which hormonal therapy is potentially useful as disease modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vegeto
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DiSS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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28
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Pape JA, Grose JH. The effects of diet and sex in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020; 176:301-315. [PMID: 32147204 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, suggesting there are multiple contributing factors that influence the disease risk, onset, and progression. Diet and sex are two factors that have been reported to alter ALS risk, onset and progression in humans and in animal models, providing potential modifiers of disease. Several epidemiological studies have identified diets that positively affect ALS patients, including various high-calorie fat or sugar-based diets, while animal models have been developed to test how these diets are working on a molecular level. These diets may offset the metabolic alterations that occur in ALS, such as hypermetabolism, lowered body mass index(BMI), and hyperlipidemia. Sex-dependent differences have also come forth from large-scale epidemiological studies as well as mouse-model studies. In addition, sex hormones have been shown to affect disease risk or progression. Herein, studies on the effects of diet and sex on ALS risk, onset, and progression will be reviewed. Understanding these diet- and sex-dependent outcomes may lead to optimized patient-specific therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Pape
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, United States
| | - J H Grose
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, United States.
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29
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Casterton RL, Hunt RJ, Fanto M. Pathomechanism Heterogeneity in the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia Disease Spectrum: Providing Focus Through the Lens of Autophagy. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2692-2713. [PMID: 32119873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) constitute aggressive neurodegenerative pathologies that lead to the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons and of neocortical areas, respectively. In the past decade, the identification of several genes that cause these disorders indicated that the two diseases overlap in a multifaceted spectrum of conditions. The autophagy-lysosome system has been identified as a main intersection for the onset and progression of neurodegeneration in ALS/FTD. Genetic evidence has revealed that several genes with a mechanistic role at different stages of the autophagy process are mutated in patients with ALS/FTD. Moreover, the three main proteins aggregating in ALS/FTD, including in sporadic cases, are also targeted by autophagy and affect this process. Here, we examine the varied dysfunctions and degrees of involvement of the autophagy-lysosome system that have been discovered in ALS/FTD. We argue that these findings shed light on the pathological mechanisms in the ALS/FTD spectrum and conclude that they have important consequences both for treatment options and for the basic biomolecular understanding of how this process intersects with RNA metabolism, the other major cellular process reported to be dysfunctional in part of the ALS/FTD spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Casterton
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NU London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel J Hunt
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NU London, United Kingdom
| | - Manolis Fanto
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NU London, United Kingdom; Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), 47, bd de l'hôpital, F-75013 Paris, France.
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30
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Zeng Z, Zhang Y, Jiang W, He L, Qu H. Modulation of autophagy in traumatic brain injury. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:1973-1985. [PMID: 31512236 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a traumatically induced structural injury or physiological disruption of brain function as a result of external forces, leading to adult disability and death. A growing body of evidence reveals that alterations in autophagy-related proteins exist extensively in both experimentally and clinically after TBI. Of note, the autophagy pathway plays an essential role in pathophysiological processes, such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis, thus contributing to neurological properties of TBI. With this in mind, this review summarizes a comprehensive overview on the beneficial and detrimental effects of autophagy in pathophysiological conditions and how these activities are linked to the pathogenesis of TBI. Moreover, the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy occur TBI. Ultimately, multiple compounds and various drugs targeting the autophagy pathway are well described in TBI. Therefore, autophagy flux represents a potential clinical therapeutic value for the treatment of TBI and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqing Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Changde City, Changde City, Hunan Province, China
| | - Weiping Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lu He
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hongtao Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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31
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Tan S, Bajalovic N, Wong ESP, Lin VCL. Ligand-activated progesterone receptor B activates transcription factor EB to promote autophagy in human breast cancer cells. Exp Cell Res 2019; 382:111433. [PMID: 31100306 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved, self-eating process that targets cellular constituents for lysosomal degradation. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of autophagy by inducing the expression of genes involved in autophagic and lysosomal degradation. In breast cancer, ligand-activated progesterone receptor has been reported to influence cancer development by manipulating the autophagy pathway. However, understanding of the mechanism that underlies this autophagic response remains limited. Herein, we report that prolonged treatment with progestin R5020 upregulates autophagy in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells via a novel interplay between progesterone receptor B (PRB) and TFEB. R5020 upregulates TFEB gene expression and protein levels in a PRB-dependent manner. Additionally, R5020 enhances the co-recruitment of PRB and TFEB to each other to facilitate TFEB nuclear localization. Once in the nucleus, TFEB induces the expression of autophagy and lysosomal genes to potentiate autophagy. Together, our findings highlight a novel functional connection between ligand-activated PRB and TFEB to modulate autophagy in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. As breast cancer development is controlled by autophagy, the progestin-PRB-TFEB transduction pathway warrants future attention as a potential therapeutic target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Natasa Bajalovic
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Esther S P Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore; Centre for Healthy Ageing, National University Health System, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore
| | - Valerie C L Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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Mitochondrial Transport and Turnover in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. BIOLOGY 2019; 8:biology8020036. [PMID: 31083575 PMCID: PMC6627920 DOI: 10.3390/biology8020036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurons are high-energy consuming cells, heavily dependent on mitochondria for ATP generation and calcium buffering. These mitochondrial functions are particularly critical at specific cellular sites, where ionic currents impose a large energetic burden, such as at synapses. The highly polarized nature of neurons, with extremely large axoplasm relative to the cell body, requires mitochondria to be efficiently transported along microtubules to reach distant sites. Furthermore, neurons are post-mitotic cells that need to maintain pools of healthy mitochondria throughout their lifespan. Hence, mitochondrial transport and turnover are essential processes for neuronal survival and function. In neurodegenerative diseases, the maintenance of a healthy mitochondrial network is often compromised. Numerous lines of evidence indicate that mitochondrial impairment contributes to neuronal demise in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where degeneration of motor neurons causes a fatal muscle paralysis. Dysfunctional mitochondria accumulate in motor neurons affected by genetic or sporadic forms of ALS, strongly suggesting that the inability to maintain a healthy pool of mitochondria plays a pathophysiological role in the disease. This article critically reviews current hypotheses on mitochondrial involvement in the pathogenesis of ALS, focusing on the alterations of mitochondrial axonal transport and turnover in motor neurons.
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Davis AA, Leyns CEG, Holtzman DM. Intercellular Spread of Protein Aggregates in Neurodegenerative Disease. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2018; 34:545-568. [PMID: 30044648 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100617-062636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates, some of which are toxic to cells. Mounting evidence demonstrates that in several diseases, protein aggregates can pass from neuron to neuron along connected networks, although the role of this spreading phenomenon in disease pathogenesis is not completely understood. Here we briefly review the molecular and histopathological features of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disease, we summarize the evidence for release of proteins from donor cells into the extracellular space, and we highlight some other mechanisms by which protein aggregates might be transmitted to recipient cells. We also discuss the evidence that supports a role for spreading of protein aggregates in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis and some limitations of this model. Finally, we consider potential therapeutic strategies to target spreading of protein aggregates in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA; .,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Cheryl E G Leyns
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA; .,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA; .,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Perera ND, Sheean RK, Lau CL, Shin YS, Beart PM, Horne MK, Turner BJ. Rilmenidine promotes MTOR-independent autophagy in the mutant SOD1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis without slowing disease progression. Autophagy 2017; 14:534-551. [PMID: 28980850 PMCID: PMC5915012 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2017.1385674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is the main intracellular catabolic pathway in neurons that eliminates misfolded proteins, aggregates and damaged organelles associated with ageing and neurodegeneration. Autophagy is regulated by both MTOR-dependent and -independent pathways. There is increasing evidence that autophagy is compromised in neurodegenerative disorders, which may contribute to cytoplasmic sequestration of aggregation-prone and toxic proteins in neurons. Genetic or pharmacological modulation of autophagy to promote clearance of misfolded proteins may be a promising therapeutic avenue for these disorders. Here, we demonstrate robust autophagy induction in motor neuronal cells expressing SOD1 or TARDBP/TDP-43 mutants linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Treatment of these cells with rilmenidine, an anti-hypertensive agent and imidazoline-1 receptor agonist that induces autophagy, promoted autophagic clearance of mutant SOD1 and efficient mitophagy. Rilmenidine administration to mutant SOD1G93A mice upregulated autophagy and mitophagy in spinal cord, leading to reduced soluble mutant SOD1 levels. Importantly, rilmenidine increased autophagosome abundance in motor neurons of SOD1G93A mice, suggesting a direct action on target cells. Despite robust induction of autophagy in vivo, rilmenidine worsened motor neuron degeneration and symptom progression in SOD1G93A mice. These effects were associated with increased accumulation and aggregation of insoluble and misfolded SOD1 species outside the autophagy pathway, and severe mitochondrial depletion in motor neurons of rilmenidine-treated mice. These findings suggest that rilmenidine treatment may drive disease progression and neurodegeneration in this mouse model due to excessive mitophagy, implying that alternative strategies to beneficially stimulate autophagy are warranted in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirma D. Perera
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca K. Sheean
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chew L. Lau
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yea Seul Shin
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip M. Beart
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Horne
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bradley J. Turner
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Meyer M, Garay LI, Kruse MS, Lara A, Gargiulo-Monachelli G, Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Coirini H, De Nicola AF, Gonzalez Deniselle MC. Protective effects of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in a mouse model of spontaneous motoneuron degeneration. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 174:201-216. [PMID: 28951257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disorder characterized by progressive death of motoneurons. The Wobbler (WR) mouse is a preclinical model sharing neuropathological similarities with human ALS. We have shown that progesterone (PROG) prevents the progression of motoneuron degeneration. We now studied if allopregnanolone (ALLO), a reduced metabolite of PROG endowed with gabaergic activity, also prevents WR neuropathology. Sixty-day old WRs remained untreated or received two steroid treatment regimens in order to evaluate the response of several parameters during early or prolonged steroid administration. ALLO was administered s.c. daily for 5days (4mg/kg) or every other day for 32days (3, 3mg/kg), while another group of WRs received a 20mg PROG pellet s.c. for 18 or 60days. ALLO administration to WRs increased ALLO serum levels without changing PROG and 5 alpha dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP), whereas PROG treatment increased PROG, 5α-DHP and ALLO. Untreated WRs showed higher basal levels of serum 5α-DHP than controls. In the cervical spinal cord we studied markers of oxidative stress or associated to trophic responses. These included nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, motoneuron vacuolation, MnSOD immunoreactivity (IR), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB mRNAs, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and, cell survival or death signals such as pAKT and the stress activated kinase JNK. Untreated WRs showed a reduction of MnSOD-IR and BDNF/TrkB mRNAs, associated to high p75NTR in motoneurons, neuronal and glial NOS hyperactivity and neuronal vacuolation. Also, low pAKT, mainly in young WRs, and a high pJNK in the old stage characterized WŔs spinal cord. Except for MnSOD and BDNF, these alterations were prevented by an acute ALLO treatment, while short-term PROG elevated MnSOD. Moreover, after chronic administration both steroids enhanced MnSOD-IR and BDNF mRNA, while attenuated pJNK and NOS in glial cells. Long-term PROG also increased pAKT and reduced neuronal NOS, parameters not modulated by chronic ALLO. Clinically, both steroids improved muscle performance. Thus, ALLO was able to reduce neuropathology in this model. Since high oxidative stress activates p75NTR and pJNK in neurodegeneration, steroid reduction of these molecules may provide adequate neuroprotection. These data yield the first evidence that ALLO, a gabaergic neuroactive steroid, brings neuroprotection in a model of motoneuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Meyer
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura I Garay
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Sol Kruse
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Lara
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gisella Gargiulo-Monachelli
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud: "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules", 94276, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud: "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules", 94276, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Hector Coirini
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de, Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Yuan S, Zhang ZW, Li ZL. Cell Death-Autophagy Loop and Glutamate-Glutamine Cycle in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:231. [PMID: 28785203 PMCID: PMC5519524 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although we know that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is correlated with the glutamate-mediated corticomotor neuronal hyperexcitability, detailed ALS pathology remains largely unexplained. While a number of drugs have been developed, no cure exists so far. Here, we propose a hypothesis of neuronal cell death—incomplete autophagy positive-feedback loop—and summarize the role of the neuron-astrocyte glutamate-glutamine cycle in ALS. The disruption of these two cycles might ideally retard ALS progression. Cerebrovascular injuries (such as multiple embolization sessions and strokes) induce neuronal cell death and the subsequent autophagy. ALS impairs autophagosome-lysosome fusion and leads to magnified cell death. Trehalose rescues this impaired fusion step, significantly delaying the onset of the disease, although it does not affect the duration of the disease. Therefore, trehalose might be a prophylactic drug for ALS. Given that a major part of neuronal glutamate is converted from glutamine through neuronal glutaminase (GA), GA inhibitors may decrease the neuronal glutamate accumulation, and, therefore, might be therapeutic ALS drugs. Of these, Ebselen is the most promising one with strong antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yuan
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Zhang
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Zi-Lin Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Lanzhou Military RegionLanzhou, China
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37
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Liu H, Zhang L, Zhang X, Cui Z. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway promotes progestin resistance in endometrial cancer cells by inhibition of autophagy. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:2865-2871. [PMID: 28652768 PMCID: PMC5476755 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s95267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is now one of the most common malignant tumors in young women. In all, 90% of young patients with EC have a high expression of progesterone recep tor, can be treated with progestin, and have very good prognosis. However, some of the young EC patients are resistant to progestin, the mechanism of which is unclear. To illuminate the mechanism by which endometrial cells acquire progestin resistance, we treated Ishikawa cells by slowly increasing dosage of progestin and established a progestin-resistant cell subline. We show here that progesterone resistant cells acquire increased proliferation rate and interestingly decreased autophagy. To uncover the mechanism by which cells increase proliferation and bypass autophagy, we found higher activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was necessary to this malignant acquirement by RNAi technique. Further, we elucidated that activation of mTOR was sufficient and necessary for progestin resistance. RAD001, an inhibitor of mTOR, decreased phosphorylation of mTOR and inhibited proliferation of progestin-resistant cancer cells by promoting autophagy. Thus, our results indicated that mTOR can be a target to treat the progestin-resistant EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao.,Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqin Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuyan Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhumei Cui
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao
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38
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Gonzalez Deniselle MC, Liere P, Pianos A, Meyer M, Aprahamian F, Cambourg A, Di Giorgio NP, Schumacher M, De Nicola AF, Guennoun R. Steroid Profiling in Male Wobbler Mouse, a Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Endocrinology 2016; 157:4446-4460. [PMID: 27571131 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Wobbler mouse is an animal model for human motoneuron diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), used in the investigation of both pathology and therapeutic treatment. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the selective and progressive death of motoneurons, leading to progressive paralysis. Previous limited studies have reported steroidal hormone dysregulation in Wobbler mouse and in ALS patients, suggesting endocrine dysfunctions which may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we established a steroid profiling in brain, spinal cord, plasma, adrenal glands, and testes in 2-month-old male Wobbler mice and their littermates by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Our results show in Wobbler mice the following: 1) a marked up-regulation of corticosterone levels in adrenal glands, plasma, spinal cord regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) and brain; 2) a strong decrease in T levels in the testis, plasma, spinal cord, and brain; and 3) increased levels of progesterone and especially of its reduced metabolites 5α-dihydroprogesterone, allopregnanolone, and 20α-dihydroprogesterone in the brain, spinal cord, and adrenal glands. Furthermore, Wobbler mice showed a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hypoactivity. Interestingly, plasma concentrations of corticosterone and T correlate well with their respective levels in cervical spinal cord in both control and Wobbler mice. T down-regulation is probably the consequence of adrenal hyperactivity, and the up-regulation of progesterone and its reduced metabolites may correspond to an endogenous protective mechanism in response to motoneuron degeneration. Our findings suggest that increased levels of corticosterone and decreased levels of T in plasma could be a signature of motoneuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Philippe Liere
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antoine Pianos
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Meyer
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fanny Aprahamian
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Annie Cambourg
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Noelia P Di Giorgio
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael Schumacher
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Kumar V, Sami N, Kashav T, Islam A, Ahmad F, Hassan MI. Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases: From theory to therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 124:1105-1120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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40
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Acaz-Fonseca E, Avila-Rodriguez M, Garcia-Segura LM, Barreto GE. Regulation of astroglia by gonadal steroid hormones under physiological and pathological conditions. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 144:5-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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41
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Hsueh KW, Chiou TW, Chiang SF, Yamashita T, Abe K, Borlongan CV, Sanberg PR, Huang A(YH, Lin SZ, Harn HJ. Autophagic down-regulation in motor neurons remarkably prolongs the survival of ALS mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 108:152-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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42
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Metformin Improves Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury via Autophagy Flux Stimulation. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:3327-3341. [PMID: 27167128 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9895-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disease with few efficacious drugs. Autophagy is a cellular process to confront with stress after SCI and considered to be a therapeutic target of SCI. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of metformin on functional recovery after SCI and its underlying mechanism of autophagy regulation. Using a rat model of traumatic SCI, we found improved function recovery which was paralleled by a reduction of apoptosis after metformin treatment. We further examined autophagy via detecting autophagosomes by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence, as well as autophagy markers by western blot in each groups. The results showed that the number of autophagosomes and expression of autophagy markers such as LC3 and beclin1 were increased in SCI group, while autophagy substrate protein p62 as well as ubiquitinated proteins were found to accumulate in SCI group, indicating an impaired autophagy flux in SCI. But, metformin treatment attenuated the accumulation of p62 and ubiquitinated proteins, suggesting a stimulative effect of autophagy flux by metformin. Blockage of autophagy flux by chloroquine partially abolished the apoptosis inhibition and functional recovery effect of metformin on SCI, which suggested that the protective effect of metformin on SCI was through autophagy flux stimulation. Activation of AMPK as well as inhibition of its downstream mTOR signaling were detected under metformin treatment in vivo and in vitro; inhibition of AMPK signaling by compound C suppressed autophagy flux induced by metformin in vitro, indicating that AMPK signaling was involved in the effect of metformin on autophagy flux regulation. Together, these results illustrated that metformin improved functional recovery effect through autophagy flux stimulation and implied metformin to be a potential drug for SCI therapy.
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Papaevgeniou N, Chondrogianni N. UPS Activation in the Battle Against Aging and Aggregation-Related Diseases: An Extended Review. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1449:1-70. [PMID: 27613027 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3756-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a biological process accompanied by gradual increase of damage in all cellular macromolecules, i.e., nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. When the proteostasis network (chaperones and proteolytic systems) cannot reverse the damage load due to its excess as compared to cellular repair/regeneration capacity, failure of homeostasis is established. This failure is a major hallmark of aging and/or aggregation-related diseases. Dysfunction of the major cellular proteolytic machineries, namely the proteasome and the lysosome, has been reported during the progression of aging and aggregation-prone diseases. Therefore, activation of these pathways is considered as a possible preventive or therapeutic approach against the progression of these processes. This chapter focuses on UPS activation studies in cellular and organismal models and the effects of such activation on aging, longevity and disease prevention or reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Papaevgeniou
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., Athens, 11635, Greece
| | - Niki Chondrogianni
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., Athens, 11635, Greece.
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Guo Y, Liu S, Zhang X, Wang L, Gao J, Han A, Hao A. G-CSF promotes autophagy and reduces neural tissue damage after spinal cord injury in mice. J Transl Med 2015; 95:1439-49. [PMID: 26524416 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2015.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was investigated for its capacity to induce autophagy and related neuroprotective mechanisms in an acute spinal cord injury model. To accomplish this goal, we established a mouse spinal cord hemisection model to test the effects of recombinant human G-CSF. The results showed that autophagy was activated after spinal cord injury and G-CSF appears to induce a more rapid activation of autophagy within injured spinal cords as compared with that of non-treated animals. Apoptosis as induced in mechanically injured neurons with G-CSF treatment was enhanced after inhibiting autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA), which partially blocked the neuroprotective effect of autophagy as induced by G-CSF. In addition, G-CSF inhibited the activity of the NF-κB signal pathway in neurons after mechanical injury. We conclude that G-CSF promotes autophagy by inhibiting the NF-κB signal pathway and protects neuronal structure after spinal cord injury. We therefore suggest that G-CSF, which rapidly induces autophagy after spinal cord injury to inhibit neuronal apoptosis, may thus provide an effective auxiliary therapeutic intervention for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Guo
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shangming Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xianghong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jiangang Gao
- Institute of Developmental Biology, College of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Aiqing Han
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal and Children Health Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, China
| | - Aijun Hao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
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Zeng Y, Zhang Y, Ma J, Xu J. Progesterone for Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140624. [PMID: 26473361 PMCID: PMC4608716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of progesterone administrated in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Clinicaltrials.gov, ISRCTN registry and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing progesterone and placebo administrated in acute TBI patients. The primary outcome was mortality and the secondary outcomes were unfavorable outcomes and adverse events. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of progesterone administrated in patients with acute TBI. RESULTS A total of 6 studies met inclusion criteria, involving 2,476 patients. The risk of bias was considered to be low in 4 studies but high in the other 2 studies. The results of meta-analysis indicated progesterone did not reduce the mortality (RR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.57-1.20) or unfavorable outcomes (RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.78-1.02) of acute TBI patients in comparison with placebo. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results. Progesterone was basically safe and well tolerated in TBI patients with the exception of increased risk of phlebitis or thrombophlebitis (RR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.96-4.66). CONCLUSIONS Despite some modest bias, present evidence demonstrated that progesterone was well tolerated but did not reduce the mortality or unfavorable outcomes of adult patients with acute TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhui Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- The Second Integrated Unit, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junpeng Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Biasiotto G, Di Lorenzo D, Archetti S, Zanella I. Iron and Neurodegeneration: Is Ferritinophagy the Link? Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:5542-74. [PMID: 26468157 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that the lysosome-autophagy pathway plays a critical role in iron release from ferritin, the main iron storage cellular protein, hence in the distribution of iron to the cells. The recent identification of nuclear receptor co-activator 4 as the receptor for ferritin delivery to selective autophagy sheds further light on the understanding of the mechanisms underlying this pathway. The emerging view is that iron release from ferritin through the lysosomes is a general mechanism in normal and tumour cells of different tissue origins, but it has not yet been investigated in brain cells. Defects in the lysosome-autophagy pathway are often involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, and brain iron homeostasis disruption is a hallmark of many of these diseases. However, in most cases, it has not been established whether iron dysregulation is directly involved in the pathogenesis of the diseases or if it is a secondary effect derived from other pathogenic mechanisms. The recent evidence of the crucial involvement of autophagy in cellular iron handling offers new perspectives about the role of iron in neurodegeneration, suggesting that autophagy dysregulation could cause iron dyshomeostasis. In this review, we recapitulate our current knowledge on the routes through which iron is released from ferritin, focusing on the most recent advances. We summarise the current evidence concerning lysosome-autophagy pathway dysfunctions and those of iron metabolism and discuss their potential interconnections in several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and frontotemporal lobar dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Biasiotto
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Diego Di Lorenzo
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvana Archetti
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Isabella Zanella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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An Overview of Potential Targets for Treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:198612. [PMID: 26295035 PMCID: PMC4532815 DOI: 10.1155/2015/198612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Progressive damage or loss of neurons, neurodegeneration, has severe consequences on the mental and physical health of a patient. Despite all efforts by scientific community, there is currently no cure or manner to slow degeneration progression. We review some treatments that attempt to prevent the progress of some of major neurodegenerative diseases: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's disease.
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Hedegaard A, Lehnhoff J, Moldovan M, Grøndahl L, Petersen NC, Meehan CF. Postactivation depression of the Ia EPSP in motoneurons is reduced in both the G127X SOD1 model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in aged mice. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:1196-210. [PMID: 26084911 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00745.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Postactivation depression (PActD) of Ia afferent excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in spinal motoneurons results in a long-lasting depression of the stretch reflex. This phenomenon (PActD) is of clinical interest as it has been shown to be reduced in a number of spastic disorders. Using in vivo intracellular recordings of Ia EPSPs in adult mice, we demonstrate that PActD in adult (100-220 days old) C57BL/6J mice is both qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that which has been observed in larger animals with respect to both the magnitude (with ∼20% depression of EPSPs at 0.5 ms after a train of stimuli) and the time course (returning to almost normal amplitudes by 5 ms after the train). This validates the use of mouse models to study PActD. Changes in such excitatory inputs to spinal motoneurons may have important implications for hyperreflexia and/or glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). With the use of the G127X SOD1 mutant mouse, an ALS model with a prolonged asymptomatic phase and fulminant symptom onset, we observed that PActD is significantly reduced at both presymptomatic (16% depression) and symptomatic (17.3% depression) time points compared with aged-matched controls (22.4% depression). The PActD reduction was not markedly altered by symptom onset. Comparing these PActD changes at the EPSP with the known effect of the depression on the monosynaptic reflex, we conclude that this is likely to have a much larger effect on the reflex itself (a 20-40% difference). Nevertheless, it should also be accounted that in aged (580 day old) C57BL/6J mice there was also a reduction in PActD although, aging is not usually associated with spasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hedegaard
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
| | - J Lehnhoff
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
| | - M Moldovan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
| | - L Grøndahl
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
| | - N C Petersen
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C F Meehan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
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Notch pathway is activated in cell culture and mouse models of mutant SOD1-related familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, with suppression of its activation as an additional mechanism of neuroprotection for lithium and valproate. Neuroscience 2015; 301:276-88. [PMID: 26067594 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an idiopathic and lethal neurodegenerative disease that currently has no effective treatment. A recent study found that the Notch signaling pathway was up-regulated in a TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) Drosophila model of ALS. Notch signaling acts as a master regulator in the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms by which Notch participates in the pathogenesis of ALS have not been completely elucidated. Recent studies have shown that the mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid (VPA) are able to regulate Notch signaling. Our study sought to confirm the relationship between the Notch pathway and ALS and whether the Notch pathway contributes to the neuroprotective effects of lithium and VPA in ALS. We found that the Notch pathway was activated in in vitro and in vivo models of ALS, and suppression of Notch activation with a Notch signaling inhibitor, N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl-L-alanyl)]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) and Notch1 siRNA significantly reduced neuronal apoptotic signaling, as evidenced by the up-regulation of Bcl-2 as well as the down-regulation of Bax and cytochrome c. We also found that lithium and VPA suppressed the Notch activation associated with the superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) mutation, and the combination of lithium and VPA produced a more robust effect than either agent alone. Our findings indicate that the Notch pathway plays a critical role in ALS, and the neuroprotective effects of lithium and VPA against mutant SOD1-mediated neuronal damage are at least partially dependent on their suppression of Notch activation.
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Agrawal V, Jaiswal MK, Mallers T, Katara GK, Gilman-Sachs A, Beaman KD, Hirsch E. Altered autophagic flux enhances inflammatory responses during inflammation-induced preterm labor. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9410. [PMID: 25797357 PMCID: PMC4369745 DOI: 10.1038/srep09410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular organelles and proteins are degraded and recycled through autophagy, a process during which vesicles known as autophagosomes fuse with lysosomes. Altered autophagy occurs in various diseases, but its role in preterm labor (PTL) is unknown. We investigated the role of autophagic flux in two mouse models of PTL compared to controls: 1) inflammation-induced PTL (IPTL), induced by toll-like receptor agonists; and 2) non-inflammation (hormonally)-induced PTL (NIPTL). We demonstrate that the autophagy related genes Atg4c and Atg7 (involved in the lipidation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) B-I to the autophagosome-associated form, LC3B-II) decrease significantly in uterus and placenta during IPTL but not NIPTL. Autophagic flux is altered in IPTL, as shown by the accumulation of LC3B paralogues and diminishment of lysosome associated membrane protein (LAMP)-1, LAMP-2 and the a2 isoform of V-ATPase (a2V, an enzyme involved in lysosome acidification). These alterations in autophagy are associated with increased activation of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines in both uterus and placenta. Similar changes are seen in macrophages exposed to TLR ligands and are enhanced with blockade of a2V. These novel findings represent the first evidence of an association between altered autophagic flux and hyper-inflammation and labor in IPTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varkha Agrawal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL
| | - Mukesh K. Jaiswal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Timothy Mallers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gajendra K. Katara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alice Gilman-Sachs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kenneth D. Beaman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emmet Hirsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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