Matrix metalloproteinase-3 contributes to vulnerability of the nigral dopaminergic neurons

Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase 3 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels with non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Objective

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are essential for tissue formation, neuronal network remodeling, and blood–brain barrier integrity. MMPs have been widely studied in acute brain diseases. However, the relationship with Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum MMP3 and MMP9 levels of PD patients and analyze their correlation with non-motor symptoms.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 73 patients with idiopathic PD and 64 healthy volunteers. Serum MMP3 and MMP9 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with PD were assessed for non-motor symptoms using the Non-motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) and Parkinson’s disease sleep scale (PDSS) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results

Serum MMP3 levels were significantly decreased in PD patients, predominantly those with early-stage PD, compared with controls [12.56 (9.30, 17.44) vs. 15.37 (11.33, 24.41) ng/ml; P = 0.004], and the serum MMP9 levels of PD patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls [522 (419, 729) vs. 329 (229, 473) ng/ml; P < 0.001]. MMP3 levels were positively correlated with the NMSS total score (r = 0.271, P = 0.020) and the single-item scores for item six, assessing the gastrointestinal tract (r = 0.333, P = 0.004), and there was an inverse correlation between serum MMP3 levels and PDSS score (r = –0.246, P = 0.036); meanwhile, MMP9 levels were positively correlated with the NMSS total score (r = 0.234, P = 0.047), and higher serum MMP9 levels were detected in the cognitive dysfunction subgroup than in the cognitively intact subgroup [658 (504, 877) vs. 502 (397, 608) ng/ml, P = 0.008].

Conclusion

The serum MMP3 level of PD patients (especially early-stage patients) was significantly lower than that of the healthy control group, and the MMP9 level was significantly higher than that of the healthy control group. MMP3 and MMP9 levels correlate with sleep disturbance and cognitive function in PD patients, respectively.

Alpha synuclein processing by MMP-3 - implications for synucleinopathies

α-Synuclein (aSyn) is a protein implicated in physiological functions such as neurotransmitter release at the synapse and the regulation of gene expression in the nucleus. In addition, pathological aSyn assemblies are characteristic for a class of protein aggregation disorders referred to as synucleinopathies, where aSyn aggregates appear as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. We recently discovered a novel post-translational pyroglutamate (pGlu) modification at Gln79 of N-truncated aSyn that promotes oligomer formation and neurotoxicity in human synucleinopathies. A priori, the appearance of pGlu79-aSyn in vivo involves a two-step process of free N-terminal Gln79 residue generation and subsequent cyclization of Gln79 into pGlu79. Prime candidate enzymes for these processes are matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and glutaminyl cyclase (QC). Here, we analyzed the expression of aSyn, MMP-3, QC and pGlu79-aSyn in brains of two transgenic mouse models for synucleinopathies (BAC-SNCA and ASO) by triple immunofluorescent labellings and confocal laser scanning microscopy. We report a co-localization of these proteins in brain structures typically affected by aSyn pathology, namely hippocampus in BAC-SNCA mice and substantia nigra in ASO mice. In addition, Western blot analyses revealed a high abundance of QC, MMP-3 and transgenic human aSyn in brain stem and thalamus but lower levels in cortex/hippocampus, whereas endogenous mouse aSyn was found to be most abundant in cortex/hippocampus, followed by thalamus and brain stem. During aging of ASO mice, we observed no differences between controls and transgenic mice in MMP-3 levels but higher QC content in thalamus of 6-month-old transgenic mice. Transgenic human aSyn abundance transiently increased and then showed decrease in oldest ASO mice analyzed. Immunohistochemistry revealed a successive increase in intraneuronal and extracellular formation of pGlu79-aSyn in substantia nigra during aging of ASO mice. Together, our data are supportive for a role of MMP-3 and QC in the generation of pGlu79-aSyn in brains affected by aSyn pathology.

Potential Tear Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease—A Pilot Study

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, the tear proteome profile of patients with idiopathic PD (iPD, n = 24), carriers of the E46K-SNCA mutation (n = 3) and healthy control (CT, n = 27) subjects was analyzed to identify candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of PD. An observational, prospective and case-control pilot study was carried out, analyzing the participants tear samples by nano-liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (nLC–MS/MS) and assessing their neurological impairment. The proteomic data obtained are available at ProteomeXchange with identifier 10.6019/PXD028811. These analyses led to the identification of 560 tear proteins, some of which were deregulated in PD patients and that have been implicated in immune responses, inflammation, apoptosis, collagen degradation, protein synthesis, defense, lipid transport and altered lysosomal function. Of these proteins, six were related to neurodegenerative processes and showed a good capacity to classify patients and controls. These findings revealed that certain proteins were upregulated in the tears of PD patients, mainly proteins involved in lysosomal function. Thus, in this study, tear proteins were identified that are implicated in neurodegeneration and that may be related to an aggressive disease phenotype in PD patients.

Promising Molecular Targets for Pharmacological Therapy of Neurodegenerative Pathologies

Drug development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases has to confront numerous problems occurring, in particular, because of attempts to address only one of the causes of the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Recent advances in multitarget therapy research are gaining momentum by utilizing pharmacophores that simultaneously affect different pathological pathways in the neurodegeneration process. The application of such a therapeutic strategy not only involves the treatment of symptoms, but also mainly addresses prevention of the fundamental pathological processes of neurodegenerative diseases and the reduction of cognitive abilities. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulation of the expression of histone deacetylases, and aggregation of pathogenic forms of proteins are among the most common and significant pathological features of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms and highlight the main aspects, including reactive oxygen species, the cell endogenous antioxidant system, neuroinflammation triggers, metalloproteinases, α-synuclein, tau proteins, neuromelanin, histone deacetylases, presenilins, etc. The processes and molecular targets discussed in this review could serve as a starting point for screening leader compounds that could help prevent or slow down the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Matrix metalloproteinases in the brain and blood-brain barrier: Versatile breakers and makers

Matrix metalloproteinases are versatile endopeptidases with many different functions in the body in health and disease. In the brain, matrix metalloproteinases are critical for tissue formation, neuronal network remodeling, and blood-brain barrier integrity. Many reviews have been published on matrix metalloproteinases before, most of which focus on the two best studied matrix metalloproteinases, the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their role in one or two diseases. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the role various matrix metalloproteinases play in brain disorders. We summarize and review current knowledge and understanding of matrix metalloproteinases in the brain and at the blood-brain barrier in neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, cerebral aneurysms, stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain cancer. We discuss the detrimental effects matrix metalloproteinases can have in these conditions, contributing to blood-brain barrier leakage, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, demyelination, tumor angiogenesis, and cancer metastasis. We also discuss the beneficial role matrix metalloproteinases can play in neuroprotection and anti-inflammation. Finally, we address matrix metalloproteinases as potential therapeutic targets. Together, in this comprehensive review, we summarize current understanding and knowledge of matrix metalloproteinases in the brain and at the blood-brain barrier in brain disorders.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 causes dopaminergic neuronal death through Nox1-regenerated oxidative stress

In the present study we investigated the interplay between matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) in the process of dopamine (DA) neuronal death. We found that MMP3 activation causes the induction of Nox1 via mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and subsequently Rac1 activation, eventually leading to Nox1-derived superoxide generation in a rat DA neuronal N27 cells exposed to 6-OHDA. While a MMP3 inhibitor, NNGH, largely attenuated mitochondrial ROS and subsequent Nox1 induction, both apocynin, a putative Nox inhibitor and GKT137831, a Nox1 selective inhibitor failed to reduce 6-OHDA-induced mitochondrial ROS. However, both inhibitors for MMP3 and Nox1 similarly attenuated 6-OHDA-induced N27 cell death. RNAi-mediated selective inhibition of MMP3 or Nox1 showed that knockdown of either MMP3 or Nox1 significantly reduced 6-OHDA-induced ROS generation in N27 cells. While 6-OHDA-induced Nox1 was abolished by MMP3 knockdown, Nox1 knockdown did not alter MMP3 expression. Direct overexpression of autoactivated MMP3 (actMMP3) in N27 cells or in rat substantia nigra (SN) increased expression of Nox1. Selective knockdown of Nox1 in the SN achieved by adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of Nox1-specific shRNA largely attenuated the actMMP3-mediated dopaminergic neuronal loss. Furthermore, Nox1 expression was significantly attenuated in Mmp3 null mice treated with N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Together we established novel molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress-mediated dopaminergic neuronal death in which MMP3 activation is a key upstream event that leads to mitochondrial ROS, Nox1 induction and eventual dopaminergic neuronal death. Our findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approach.

[Effects of genetic and environmental factors on neuropsychological development]

Abnormalities in early brain development contribute to the etiology of many neurological disorders in later life. Recent advances in genome analysis indicate that large numbers of common gene variants shape any individual's disease risk, including that for major mental illnesses. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (polyI:C) is known to induce strong innate immune responses that mimic immune activation by viral infections. Our previous findings suggest that activation of the innate immune system in astrocytes results in impairments of neurite outgrowth and spine formation, which lead to behavioral abnormalities in adulthood. Although glial cells are classically thought to provide structural and metabolic support to neurons, they are now widely recognized as essential regulators of neuronal development including neuronal migration, axon and dendrite growth, formation of synapses, and synaptic plasticity. Astrocytes also play critical roles in regulating CNS immune function by responding to inflammatory mediators and producing additional cytokines and chemokines. Most of the functions of astrocytes are mediated by the release of humoral factors through a close interaction with neurons. However, the mechanism by which innate immune activation of astrocytes affects neuronal development remains to be determined. To explore the alteration in proteins secreted from murine astrocytes after polyI:C stimulation, astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) was analyzed by 2-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). We identified matrix metalloproteinase-3 (Mmp3) as a potential mediator of polyI:C/ACM-induced neurodevelopmental impairment. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanism of neurodevelopmental impairment following polyI:C-induced innate immune activation of astrocytes.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 is a possible mediator of neurodevelopmental impairment due to polyI:C-induced innate immune activation of astrocytes

Increasing epidemiological evidence indicates that prenatal infection and childhood central nervous system infection with various viral pathogens enhance the risk for several neuropsychiatric disorders. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (polyI:C) is known to induce strong innate immune responses that mimic immune activation by viral infections. Our previous findings suggested that activation of the innate immune system in astrocytes results in impairments of neurite outgrowth and spine formation, which lead to behavioral abnormalities in adulthood. To identify candidates of astrocyte-derived humoral factors that affect neuronal development, we analyzed astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) from murine astrocyte cultures treated with polyI:C (polyI:C-ACM) by two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Through a quantitative proteomic screen, we found that 13 protein spots were differentially expressed compared with ACM from vehicle-treated astrocytes (control-ACM), and characterized one of the candidates, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (Mmp3). PolyI:C treatment significantly increased the expression levels of Mmp3 mRNA and protein in astrocytes, but not microglia. PolyI:C-ACM was associated with significantly higher Mmp3 protein level and enzyme activity than control-ACM. The addition of recombinant Mmp3 into control-ACM impaired dendritic elongation of primary cultured hippocampal neurons, while the deleterious effect of polyI:C-ACM on neurite elongation was attenuated by knockdown of Mmp3 in astrocytes. These results suggest that Mmp3 is a possible mediator of polyI:C-ACM-induced neurodevelopmental impairment.

MMP-3 contributes to nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal loss, BBB damage, and neuroinflammation in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease

The present study examined whether matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) participates in the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson's disease with blood brain barrier (BBB) damage and infiltration of peripheral immune cells. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining of brain sections from MPTP-treated mice showed that MPTP induced significant degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons. Moreover, FITC-labeled albumin detection and immunostaining revealed that MPTP caused damage to the BBB and increased the number of ED-1- and CD-3-immunopositive cells in the substantia nigra (SN). Genetic ablation of MMP-3 reduced the nigrostriatal DA neuron loss and improved motor function. This neuroprotective effect afforded by MMP-3 deletion was associated with the suppression of BBB disruption and a decrease in the number of ED-1- and CD-3-immunopositive cells in the SN. These data suggest that MMP-3 could play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD in which BBB damage and neuroinflammation are implicated.

Tumor necrosis factor-α induces matrix metalloproteinases-3, -10, and -13 in human periodontal ligament cells

BACKGROUND

Various biologic mediators, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), that are implicated in periodontal tissue breakdown can be induced by cytokines. MMPs are known to degrade periodontal ligament attachment, and bone matrix proteins and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) inhibit the activity of MMPs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α on the expression of MMPs in human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells in vitro and establish which MMPs are expressed specifically in response to that stimulus.

METHODS

Cultured PDL cells were stimulated with TNF-α and analyzed with an MMP antibody array. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and western blot with cell lysate and zymography were used to measure messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of MMP-3, -10, and -13. To examine TNF receptor (TNFR) expression, PDL cells were examined by flow cytometry, and expression of MMP-3, -10, and -13 was observed after blocking the TNFR with an antagonist. Results from real-time PCR, ELISA, and western blot were analyzed by paired t test.

RESULTS

The antibody array showed that the protein most strongly upregulated by TNF-α stimulation was MMP-3, followed by MMP-13 and MMP-10. The TNF-α receptor blocker specifically inhibited expression of MMP-3 and -13. In addition, TNF-α increased levels of MMP mRNAs in MMP-3, -13, and -10 (in decreasing order). However, ELISAs showed that MMP-13 was the most upregulated protein, followed by MMP-10 and MMP-3. Western blotting indicated that TNF-α increased MMP-3 and -13 levels but had no significant effect on the level of MMP-10, and zymography showed that TNF-α increased the activities of all forms of MMP-3 and -13, but MMP-10 was not detected. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the majority of PDL cells expressed TNFR1.

CONCLUSIONS

TNF-α (10 ng/mL) upregulates levels of MMP-3, -10, and -13 in human PDL cells. These results suggest that these proteins play an important role in the inflammation of PDLs.

Mitochondrial impairment induced by 3-nitropropionic acid is enhanced by endogenous metalloprotease activity inhibition in cultured rat striatal neurons

Metalloproteases from the metzincin family mediate molecule processing at the cell membrane termed ectodomain shedding (ES). This mechanism enables the generation of intracellular and extracellular fragments from cell membrane molecules that exert additional functions involved in cell processes including cell death, beyond those of full length molecules. Micotoxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induces striatal neuronal degeneration in vivo and in vitro through mitochondrial complex II inhibition. In this study, we hypothesized that metalloproteases regulate mitochondrial activity in cultured rat striatal neurons undergoing degeneration. To test this idea, striatal neuronal cultures characterized by NeuN and GAD-67 expression were treated with 3-NP together with the metalloprotease inhibitor GM6001 and their mitochondrial activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Our results showed that metalloprotease inhibition potentiated mitochondrial activity impairment induced by 3-NP whereas the inhibitor alone had no effect. These results indicate that metalloproteases regulate and promote mitochondrial functionality in striatal neurons undergoing degeneration induced by 3-NP. Since NMDA receptor is involved in the excitotoxic neuronal death triggered by 3-NP and is known to undergo ES, we analyzed NMDAR subunit NR1 phenotypic distribution by immunofluorescence. 3-NP and GM6001 induced abnormal perinuclear NR1 accumulation that was not observed with 3-NP or GM6001 alone. This observation suggests that metalloproteases are involved in NR1 cellular reorganization induced by 3-NP, and that their inhibition results in abnormal NR1 distribution. Together results indicate that endogenous metalloproteases are activated during striatal neurodegeneration induced by 3-NP eliciting an adaptative or compensatory response that protects mitochondrial functionality.

Human matrix metalloproteinases: an ubiquitarian class of enzymes involved in several pathological processes

Human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the M10 family of the MA clan of endopeptidases. They are ubiquitarian enzymes, structurally characterized by an active site where a Zn(2+) atom, coordinated by three histidines, plays the catalytic role, assisted by a glutamic acid as a general base. Various MMPs display different domain composition, which is very important for macromolecular substrates recognition. Substrate specificity is very different among MMPs, being often associated to their cellular compartmentalization and/or cellular type where they are expressed. An extensive review of the different MMPs structural and functional features is integrated with their pathological role in several types of diseases, spanning from cancer to cardiovascular diseases and to neurodegeneration. It emerges a very complex and crucial role played by these enzymes in many physiological and pathological processes.

Cerebral microvascular endothelium and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases

Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) pose a significant health challenge, but despite their diversity, they share many common features and mechanisms. For example, endothelial dysfunction has been implicated as a crucial event in the development of several CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated neurocognitive disorder and traumatic brain injury. Breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) as a result of disruption of tight junctions and transporters, leads to increased leukocyte transmigration and is an early event in the pathology of these disorders. The brain endothelium is highly reactive because it serves as both a source of, and a target for, inflammatory proteins and reactive oxygen species. BBB breakdown thus leads to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of CNS disease. Furthermore, the physiology and pathophysiology of endothelial cells are closely linked to the functioning of their mitochondria, and mitochondrial dysfunction is another important mediator of disease pathology in the brain. The high concentration of mitochondria in cerebrovascular endothelial cells might account for the sensitivity of the BBB to oxidant stressors. Here, we discuss how greater understanding of the role of BBB function could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases of the CNS that target the dynamic properties of brain endothelial cells.