Fibroblast growth factor 20 is protective towards dopaminergic neurons in vivo in a paracrine manner

Panoramic RNA expression of fibroblast growth factors in human glioblastoma tissues and the impact on the survival of patients

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have a key role in various critical steps of tumor growth and progression through effects on angiogenesis, inflammation and the growth and invasion of malignant cells. Nevertheless, the role of the FGF family in human glioblastoma (GBM) has been rarely studied. The objective of the present study was to assess the RNA expression of all FGF family members in tissues obtained from patients with GBM and to analyze the association between FGF expression and the survival of these patients. For this, the RNA expression of FGF family members in the malignant and proximal tissues of 12 patients with GBM was determined by analyzing high-throughput RNA transcriptome sequencing data uploaded to the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. The relationship between FGF genes and the survival of patients with GBM and glioma was also respectively studied by analyzing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis tool. The results showed that the expression of FGF1, FGF17, FGF20 and FGF22 in GBM tissues was lower than that in adjacent tissues, with a difference of >2 times. Analysis of the overall survival of patients with GBM indicated there were no significant relationships between the expression of FGF1, FGF17, FGF20, FGF22 and overall survival. Analysis of the overall survival of patients with glioma showed that glioma patients with low FGF1 expression achieved a longer survival time than patients with high FGF1 expression; however, high expression of FGF17 and FGF22 indicated a longer survival time. In summary, the results of the present study demonstrated the panoramic expression of FGF family members in patients with GBM, and indicated that FGF1, FGF17 and FGF22 did not affect the survival of patients with GBM, but had a notable influence on the survival of patients with glioma.

Nigrostriatal degeneration determines dynamics of glial inflammatory and phagocytic activity

Glial cells are key players in the initiation of innate immunity in neurodegeneration. Upon damage, they switch their basal activation state and acquire new functions in a context and time-dependent manner. Since modulation of neuroinflammation is becoming an interesting approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, it is crucial to understand the specific contribution of these cells to the inflammatory reaction and to select experimental models that recapitulate what occurs in the human disease. Previously, we have characterized a region-specific activation pattern of CD11b+ cells and astrocytes in the α-synuclein overexpression mouse model of Parkinson´s disease (PD). In this study we hypothesized that the time and the intensity of dopaminergic neuronal death would promote different glial activation states. Dopaminergic degeneration was induced with two administration regimens of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), subacute (sMPTP) and chronic (cMPTP). Our results show that in the sMPTP mouse model, the pro-inflammatory phenotype of striatal CD11b+ cells was counteracted by an anti-inflammatory astrocytic profile. In the midbrain the roles were inverted, CD11b+ cells exhibited an anti-inflammatory profile and astrocytes were pro-inflammatory. The overall response generated resulted in decreased CD4 T cell infiltration in both regions. Chronic MPTP exposure resulted in a mild and prolonged neuronal degeneration that generated a pro-inflammatory response and increased CD4 T cell infiltration in both regions. At the onset of the neurodegenerative process, microglia and astrocytes cooperated in the removal of dopaminergic terminals. With time, only microglia maintained the phagocytic activity. In the ventral midbrain, astrocytes were the main phagocytic mediators at early stages of degeneration while microglia were the major phagocytic cells in the chronic state. In this scenario, we questioned which activation pattern recapitulates better the features of glial activation in PD. Glial activation in the cMPTP mouse model reflects many pathways of their corresponding counterparts in the human brain with advanced PD. Altogether, our results point toward a context-dependent cooperativity of microglia/myeloid cells and astrocytes in response to neuronal damage and the relevance of selecting the right experimental models for the study of neuroinflammation.

Spatial profiling of cancer-associated fibroblasts of sporadic early onset colon cancer microenvironment

The incidence of sporadic early-onset colon cancer (EOCC) has increased worldwide. The molecular mechanisms in the tumor and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in EOCC are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to unravel unique spatial transcriptomic and proteomic profiles in tumor epithelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Here, we divide the sporadic colon cancer tissue samples with transcriptomic data into patients diagnosed with EOCC (<50 yrs) and late-onset colon cancer (LOCC, ≥50 yrs) and then, analyze the data using CIBERSORTx deconvolution software. EOCC tumors are more enriched in CAFs with fibroblast associated protein positive expression (FAP(+)) than LOCC tumors. EOCC patients with higher FAP mRNA levels in CAFs have shorter OS (Log-rank test, p < 0.029). Spatial transcriptomic analysis of 112 areas of interest, using NanoString GeoMx digital spatial profiling, demonstrate that FAP(+) CAFs at the EOCC tumor invasive margin show a significant upregulation of WNT signaling and higher mRNA/protein levels of fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20). Tumor epithelial cells at tumor invasive margin of EOCC tumors neighboring FAP(+) CAFs show significantly higher mRNA/protein levels of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) and PI3K/Akt signaling activation. NichNET analysis show a potential interaction between FGF20 and FGFFR2. The role of FGF20 in activating FGFR2/pFGFR2 and AKT/pAKT was validated in-vitro. In conclusion, we identify a unique FAP(+) CAF population that showed WNT signaling upregulation and increased FGF20 levels; while neighbor tumor cells show the upregulation/activation of FGFR2-PI3K/Akt signaling at the tumor invasive margin of EOCC tumors.

FGF20

Fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) is a neurotrophic factor and a member of the FGF9 subfamily. It was first identified in Xenopus embryos and was isolated shortly thereafter from the adult rat brain. Its receptors include FGFR4, FGFR3b, FGFR2b and the FGFRc splice forms. In adults it is highly expressed in the brain, while it is expressed in a variety of regions during embryonic development, including the inner ear, heart, hair placodes, mammary buds, dental epithelium and limbs. As a result of its wide-spread expression, FGF20 mouse mutants exhibit a variety of phenotypes including congenital deafness, lack of hair, small kidneys and delayed mammary ductal outgrowth. FGF20 is also associated with human diseases including Parkinson's Disease, cancer and hereditary deafness.

Glibenclamide promotes FGF21 secretion in interscapular BAT and attenuates depression-like behaviors in male mice with HFD-induced obesity

AIMS

Epidemiological evidence suggests that comorbidity of obesity and depression is extremely common and continues to grow in prevalence. However, the mechanisms connecting these two conditions are unknown. In this study, we explored how treatment with K_ATP channel blocker glibenclamide (GB) or the well-known metabolic regulator FGF21 impact male mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and depressive-like behaviors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were fed with HFD for 12 weeks and then treated with recombinant FGF21 protein by infusion for 2 weeks, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg/kg recombinant FGF21 once per day for 4 days. Measurements were made of catecholamine levels, energy expenditure, biochemical endpoints and behavior tests, including sucrose preference and forced swim tests were. Alternatively, animals were infused with GB into brown adipose tissue (BAT). The WT-1 brown adipocyte cell line was used for molecular studies.

KEY FINDINGS

Compared to HFD controls, HFD + FGF21 mice exhibited less severe metabolic disorder symptoms, improved depressive-like behaviors, and more extensive mesolimbic dopamine projections. FGF21 treatment also rescued HFD-induced dysregulation of FGF21 receptors (FGFR1 and co-receptor β-klotho) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and it altered dopaminergic neuron activity and morphology in HFD-fed mice. Importantly, we also found that FGF21 mRNA level and FGF21 release were increased in BAT after administration of GB, and GB treatment to BAT reversed HFD-induced dysregulation of FGF21 receptors in the VTA.

SIGNIFICANCE

GB administration to BAT stimulates FGF21 production in BAT, corrects HFD-induced dysregulation of FGF21 receptor dimers in VTA dopaminergic neurons, and attenuates depression-like symptoms.

The FGF/FGFR system in the microglial neuroinflammation with Borrelia burgdorferi: likely intersectionality with other neurological conditions

BACKGROUND

Lyme neuroborreliosis, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS, PNS). The CNS manifestations, especially at later stages, can mimic/cause many other neurological conditions including psychiatric disorders, dementia, and others, with a likely neuroinflammatory basis. The pathogenic mechanisms associated with Lyme neuroborreliosis, however, are not fully understood.

METHODS

In this study, using cultures of primary rhesus microglia, we explored the roles of several fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in neuroinflammation associated with live B. burgdorferi exposure. FGFR specific siRNA and inhibitors, custom antibody arrays, ELISAs, immunofluorescence and microscopy were used to comprehensively analyze the roles of these molecules in microglial neuroinflammation due to B. burgdorferi.

RESULTS

FGFR1-3 expressions were upregulated in microglia in response to B. burgdorferi. Inhibition of FGFR 1, 2 and 3 signaling using siRNA and three different inhibitors showed that FGFR signaling is proinflammatory in response to the Lyme disease bacterium. FGFR1 activation also contributed to non-viable B. burgdorferi mediated neuroinflammation. Analysis of the B. burgdorferi conditioned microglial medium by a custom antibody array showed that several FGFs are induced by the live bacterium including FGF6, FGF10 and FGF12, which in turn induce IL-6 and/or CXCL8, indicating a proinflammatory nature. To our knowledge, this is also the first-ever described role for FGF6 and FGF12 in CNS neuroinflammation. FGF23 upregulation, in addition, was observed in response to the Lyme disease bacterium. B. burgdorferi exposure also downregulated many FGFs including FGF 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 20 and 21. Some of the upregulated FGFs have been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD) or dementia development, while the downregulated ones have been demonstrated to have protective roles in epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, blood-brain barrier stability, and others.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we show that FGFRs and FGFs are novel inducers of inflammatory mediators in Lyme neuroborreliosis. It is likely that an unresolved, long-term (neuro)-Lyme infection can contribute to the development of other neurologic conditions in susceptible individuals either by augmenting pathogenic FGFs or by suppressing ameliorative FGFs or both.

Research progress of fibroblast growth factor in nervous system diseases

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are a group of structurally related polypeptides which constitute an elaborate signaling system with their receptors. Evidence accumulated in the years suggests that the FGF family plays a key role in the repair of central nervous system injury. The main protective mechanisms include activating the expression of PI3K-Akt, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) and other signals; inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis; regulating neuronal differentiation and neuronal excitability as well as participating in protection of neurovascular units and nerve function repair. This paper comprehensively summarizes the latest research progress in FGF signaling related to diseases of the central nervous system such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and depression, aiming to provide scientific basis and reference for the development of innovative FGF drugs for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases.

Developmental pathways linked to the vulnerability of adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons to neurodegeneration

The degeneration of dopaminergic and other neurons in the aging brain is considered a process starting well beyond the infantile and juvenile period. In contrast to other dopamine-associated neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and drug addiction, typically diagnosed during adolescence or young adulthood and, thus, thought to be rooted in the developing brain, Parkinson's Disease (PD) is rarely viewed as such. However, evidences have accumulated suggesting that several factors might contribute to an increased vulnerability to death of the dopaminergic neurons at an already very early (developmental) phase in life. Despite the remarkable ability of the brain to compensate such dopamine deficits, the early loss or dysfunction of these neurons might predispose an individual to suffer from PD because the critical threshold of dopamine function will be reached much earlier in life, even if the time-course and strength of naturally occurring and age-dependent dopaminergic cell death is not markedly altered in this individual. Several signaling and transcriptional pathways required for the proper embryonic development of the midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which are the most affected in PD, either continue to be active in the adult mammalian midbrain or are reactivated at the transition to adulthood and under neurotoxic conditions. The persistent activity of these pathways often has neuroprotective functions in adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons, whereas the reactivation of silenced pathways under pathological conditions can promote the survival and even regeneration of these neurons in the lesioned or aging brain. This article summarizes our current knowledge about signaling and transcription factors involved in midbrain dopaminergic neuron development, whose reduced gene dosage or signaling activity are implicated in a lower survival rate of these neurons in the postnatal or aging brain. It also discusses the evidences supporting the neuroprotection of the midbrain dopaminergic system after the external supply or ectopic expression of some of these secreted and nuclear factors in the adult and aging brain. Altogether, the timely monitoring and/or correction of these signaling and transcriptional pathways might be a promising approach to a much earlier diagnosis and/or prevention of PD.

A Focus on Astrocyte Contribution to Parkinson's Disease Etiology

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease of high prevalence, characterized by the prominent death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which produces dopamine deficiency, leading to classic motor symptoms. Although PD has traditionally been considered as a neuronal cell autonomous pathology, in which the damage of vulnerable neurons is responsible for the disease, growing evidence strongly suggests that astrocytes might have an active role in the neurodegeneration observed. In the present review, we discuss several studies evidencing astrocyte implications in PD, highlighting the consequences of both the loss of normal homeostatic functions and the gain in toxic functions for the wellbeing of dopaminergic neurons. The revised information provides significant evidence that allows astrocytes to be positioned as crucial players in PD etiology, a factor that needs to be taken into account when considering therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.

Severe iatrogenic hypoglycaemia modulates the fibroblast growth factor protein response

INTRODUCTION

There is evidence that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) levels may be implicated in hypoglycaemia, with FGF19 being a potential contributor to insulin-independent pathways driving postprandial hypoglycaemia following bariatric surgery and basic FGF (FGF2) being elevated following mild hypoglycaemia occurring after the glucose tolerance test. However, their response following severe iatrogenic hypoglycaemia is unknown and therefore this pilot exploratory study was undertaken.

METHODS

A case-control study of aged-matched type 2 diabetes (T2D; n = 23) and control (n = 23) subjects who underwent a hyperinsulinaemic clamp, initially to euglycaemia in T2D (5 mmol/L; 90 mg/dl), and then to hypoglycaemia (<2 mmol/L; <36 mg/dl) with subsequent follow-up time course to 24 h. FGF and FGF receptor proteins were determined by Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer (SOMA)-scan plasma protein measurement.

RESULTS

At baseline, FGF12 (p = .006) was higher and FGF20 (p = .004) was lower in T2D versus controls. At hypoglycaemia, FGF7 was lower in T2D. Post-hypoglycaemic levels of FGF18, FGF19, FGF20 and FGF23 were lower while FGF12 and FGF16 were higher in T2D versus control at different time points. No differences between T2D and controls were seen for FGF1, FGF2, FGF4, FGF6, FGF8, FGF9, FGF10, FGF21 or any of the FGF receptors. At 24 h post-hypoglycaemia, FGF20 (p = .01) differed between controls and T2D, while the levels for the other proteins measured returned to baseline. None of the FGF proteins altered from baseline to euglycaemia when clamped in T2D subjects. FGF23 negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose, but no FGFs correlated with body mass index in T2D.

CONCLUSION

Severe transient hypoglycaemia modulated FGF7, 16, 19, 20 and 23 (known to be associated with diabetes), together with FGF18 and 12, not previously reported to be associated with diabetes but that may be important in the pathophysiology of hypoglycaemia; FGF20 remained low at 24 h. Taken together, these data suggest that recurrent hypoglycaemia may contribute to the development of complications through changes in FGF proteins.

New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is composed of 18 secreted signaling proteins consisting of canonical FGFs and endocrine FGFs that activate four receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs 1-4) and four intracellular proteins (intracellular FGFs or iFGFs) that primarily function to regulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels and other molecules. The canonical FGFs, endocrine FGFs, and iFGFs have been reviewed extensively by us and others. In this review, we briefly summarize past reviews and then focus on new developments in the FGF field since our last review in 2015. Some of the highlights in the past 6 years include the use of optogenetic tools, viral vectors, and inducible transgenes to experimentally modulate FGF signaling, the clinical use of small molecule FGFR inhibitors, an expanded understanding of endocrine FGF signaling, functions for FGF signaling in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, roles for FGF signaling in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, a continuing elaboration of mechanisms of FGF signaling in development, and an expanding appreciation of roles for FGF signaling in neuropsychiatric diseases. This article is categorized under: Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Stem Cells and Development.

Metabolomics and biochemical alterations caused by pleiotrophin in the 6-hydroxydopamine mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a cytokine involved in nerve tissue repair processes, neuroinflammation and neuronal survival. PTN expression levels are upregulated in the nigrostriatal pathway of Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. We aimed to characterize the dopaminergic injury and glial responses in the nigrostriatal pathway of mice with transgenic Ptn overexpression in the brain (Ptn-Tg) after intrastriatal injection of the catecholaminergic toxic 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) at a low dose (5 µg). Ten days after surgery, the injection of 6-OHDA induced a significant decrease of the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the substantia nigra and of the striatal TH contents in Wild type (Wt) mice. In contrast, these effects of 6-OHDA were absent in Ptn-Tg mice. When the striatal Iba1 and GFAP immunoreactivity was studied, no statistical differences were found between vehicle-injected Wt and Ptn-Tg mice. Furthermore, 6-OHDA did not cause robust glial responses neither on Wt or Ptn-Tg mice 10 days after injections. In metabolomics studies, we detected interesting metabolites that significantly discriminate the more injured 6-OHDA-injected Wt striatum and the more protected 6-OHDA-injected Ptn-Tg striatum. Particularly, we detected groups of metabolites, mostly corresponding to phospholipids, whose trends were opposite in both groups. In summary, the data confirm lower 6-OHDA-induced decreases of TH contents in the nigrostriatal pathway of Ptn-Tg mice, suggesting a neuroprotective effect of brain PTN overexpression in this mouse model of PD. New lipid-related PD drug candidates emerge from this study and the data presented here support the increasingly recognized "lipid cascade" in PD.

Fibroblast growth factor 20 attenuates pathological cardiac hypertrophy by activating the SIRT1 signaling pathway

Cardiac hypertrophy occurs initially in response to an increased cardiac load as a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output. However, sustained pathological hypertrophy can develop into heart failure and cause sudden death. Fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which involved in apoptosis, aging, inflammation, and autophagy. The precise function of FGF20 in pathological cardiac hypertrophy is unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that FGF20 was significantly decreased in response to hypertrophic stimulation. In contrast, overexpression of FGF20 protected against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, we found that FGF20 upregulates SIRT1 expression, causing deacetylation of FOXO1; this effect promotes the transcription of downstream antioxidant genes, thus inhibits oxidative stress. In content, the anti-hypertrophic effect of FGF20 was largely counteracted in SIRT1-knockout mice, accompanied by an increase in oxidative stress. In summary, our findings reveal a previously unknown protective effect of FGF20 on pathological cardiac hypertrophy by reducing oxidative stress through activation of the SIRT1 signaling pathway. FGF20 is a potential novel molecular target for preventing and treating pressure overload-induced myocardial injury.

Quantitative assessment of the effect of FGF20 rs1721100 and rs12720208 variant on the risk of sporadic Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

While many studies have investigated the associations between fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) rs1721100 (C/G) and rs12720208 (C/T) polymorphisms and susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD), their results are controversial. Our present meta-analysis estimated the overall association between FGF20 rs1721100 and rs12720208 polymorphisms and the risk of sporadic PD.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Medicine electronic databases, which was updated in April 2021. Based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, the analysis included a total of 10 papers involving 14 studies with 5262 cases of PD and 6075 controls. Review Manager 5.4 software was used to assess the available data from each study. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between the FGF20 rs1721100 and rs12720208 polymorphisms and sporadic PD risk.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the FGF20 rs1721100 G allele frequency and genotype distribution did not differ between PD patients and controls. Similarly, the FGF20 rs12720208 T allele frequency and genotype distribution did not differ significantly between the two groups. A subgroup analysis of Asian and Caucasian populations also showed the same results.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this meta-analysis indicated that neither the rs1721100 C/G nor the rs12720208 C/T variants were associated with sporadic PD susceptibility.

New insights into the role of fibroblast growth factors in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), acknowledged as the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. The characteristic pathologic hallmarks of AD-including the deposition of extracellular senile plaques (SP) formation, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and synaptic loss, along with prominent vascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment-have been observed in patients. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), originally characterized as angiogenic factors, are a large family of signaling molecules that are implicated in a wide range of biological functions in brain development, maintenance and repair, as well as in the pathogenesis of brain-related disorders including AD. Many studies have focused on the implication of FGFs in AD pathophysiology. In this review, we will provide a summary of recent findings regarding the role of FGFs and their receptors in the pathogenesis of AD, and discuss the possible opportunities for targeting these molecules as novel treatment strategies in AD.

FGF/FGFR signaling: From lung development to respiratory diseases

The fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) signaling system regulates a variety of biological processes, including embryogenesis, angiogenesis, wound repair, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. It exerts these regulatory functions by controlling proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, and metabolism of target cells. The morphological structure of the lung is a complex tree-like network for effective oxygen exchange, and the airway terminates in the middle and distal ends of many alveoli. FGF/FGFR signaling plays an important role in the pathophysiology of lung development and pathogenesis of various human respiratory diseases. Here, we mainly review recent advances in FGF/FGFR signaling during human lung development and respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, acute lung injury (ALI), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Cocaine induces paradigm-specific changes to the transcriptome within the ventral tegmental area

During the initial stages of drug use, cocaine-induced neuroadaptations within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are critical for drug-associated cue learning and drug reinforcement processes. These neuroadaptations occur, in part, from alterations to the transcriptome. Although cocaine-induced transcriptional mechanisms within the VTA have been examined, various regimens and paradigms have been employed to examine candidate target genes. In order to identify key genes and biological processes regulating cocaine-induced processes, we employed genome-wide RNA-sequencing to analyze transcriptional profiles within the VTA from male mice that underwent one of four commonly used paradigms: acute home cage injections of cocaine, chronic home cage injections of cocaine, cocaine-conditioning, or intravenous-self administration of cocaine. We found that cocaine alters distinct sets of VTA genes within each exposure paradigm. Using behavioral measures from cocaine self-administering mice, we also found several genes whose expression patterns corelate with cocaine intake. In addition to overall gene expression levels, we identified several predicted upstream regulators of cocaine-induced transcription shared across all paradigms. Although distinct gene sets were altered across cocaine exposure paradigms, we found, from Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis, that biological processes important for energy regulation and synaptic plasticity were affected across all cocaine paradigms. Coexpression analysis also identified gene networks that are altered by cocaine. These data indicate that cocaine alters networks enriched with glial cell markers of the VTA that are involved in gene regulation and synaptic processes. Our analyses demonstrate that transcriptional changes within the VTA depend on the route, dose and context of cocaine exposure, and highlight several biological processes affected by cocaine. Overall, these findings provide a unique resource of gene expression data for future studies examining novel cocaine gene targets that regulate drug-associated behaviors.

Drug repurposing strategies of relevance for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a highly disabling, progressive neurodegenerative disease that manifests as a mix of motor and non-motor signs. Although we are equipped with some symptomatic treatments, especially for the motor signs of the disease, there are still no established disease-modifying drugs so the disease progresses unchecked. Standard drug discovery programs for disease-modifying therapies have provided key insights into the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease but, of the many positive candidates identified in pre-clinical studies, none has yet translated into a successful clinically efficacious drug. Given the huge cost of drug discovery programs, it is not surprising that much attention has turned toward repurposing strategies. The trialing of an established therapeutic has the advantage of bypassing the need for preclinical safety testing and formulation optimization, thereby cutting both time and costs involved in getting a treatment to the clinic. Additional reduced failure rates for repurposed drugs are also a potential bonus. Many different strategies for drug repurposing are open to researchers in the Parkinson's disease field. Some of these have already proven effective in identifying suitable drugs for clinical trials, lending support to such approaches. In this review, we present a summary of the different strategies for drug repurposing, from large-scale epidemiological correlation analysis through to single-gene transcriptional approaches. We provide examples of past or ongoing studies adopting each strategy, where these exist. For strategies that have yet to be applied to Parkinson's disease, their utility is illustrated using examples taken from other disorders.

FGF, Mechanism of Action, Role in Parkinson's Disease, and Therapeutics

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with severe disability and adverse effects on life quality. In PD, motor dysfunction can occur, such as quiescence, muscle stiffness, and postural instability. PD is also associated with autonomic nervous dysfunction, sleep disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and other non-motor symptoms. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compact (SNPC), Lewy body, and neuroinflammation are the main pathological features of PD. The death or dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons in the dense part of the substantia nigra leads to dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia and motor dysfunction. The formation of the Lewy body is associated with the misfolding of α-synuclein, which becomes insoluble and abnormally aggregated. Astrocytes and microglia mainly cause neuroinflammation, and the activation of a variety of pro-inflammatory transcription factors and regulatory proteins leads to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. At present, PD is mainly treated with drugs that increase dopamine concentration or directly stimulate dopamine receptors. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a family of cellular signaling proteins strongly associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as PD. FGF and its receptor (FGFR) play an essential role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system as well as in neuroinflammation and have been shown to improve the survival rate of dopaminergic neurons. This paper summarized the mechanism of FGF and its receptors in the pathological process of PD and related signaling pathways, involving the development and protection of dopaminergic neurons in SNPC, α-synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. It provides a reference for developing drugs to slow down or prevent the potential of PD.

Roles of Fibroblast Growth Factors and Their Therapeutic Potential in Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of death worldwide, and its treatment remains a challenge. Complex pathological processes are involved in stroke, which causes a reduction in the supply of oxygen and energy to the brain that triggers subsequent cascade events, such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis, resulting in brain injury. Stroke is a devastating disease for which there are few treatments, but physical rehabilitation can help improve stroke recovery. Although there are very few treatments for stroke patients, the discovery of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in mammals has led to the finding that FGFs can effectively treat stroke in animal models. As presented in this review, FGFs play essential roles by functioning as homeostatic factors and controlling cells and hormones involved in metabolism. They could be used as effective therapeutic agents for stroke. In this review, we will discuss the pharmacological actions of FGFs on multiple targets, including their ability to directly promote neuron survival, enhance angiogenesis, protect against blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and regulate microglial modulation, in the treatment of ischemic stroke and their theoretical mechanisms and actions, as well as the therapeutic potential and limitations of FGFs for the clinical treatment of stroke.

FGF20 Protected Against BBB Disruption After Traumatic Brain Injury by Upregulating Junction Protein Expression and Inhibiting the Inflammatory Response

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the cerebral inflammatory response occurring after traumatic brain injury (TBI) facilitate further brain damage, which leads to long-term complications of TBI. Fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20), a neurotrophic factor, plays important roles in brain development and neuronal homeostasis. The aim of the current study was to assess the protective effects of FGF20 on TBI via BBB maintenance. In the present study, recombinant human FGF20 (rhFGF20) reduced neurofunctional deficits, brain edema, Evans blue extravasation and neuroinflammation in a TBI mouse model. In an in vitro TNF-α-induced human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMEC) model of BBB disruption, rhFGF20 reduced paracellular permeability and increased trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Both in the TBI mouse model and in vitro, rhFGF20 increased the expression of proteins composing in BBB-associated tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs), and decreased the inflammatory response, which protected the BBB integrity. Notably, rhFGF20 preserved BBB function by activating the AKT/GSK3β pathway and inhibited the inflammatory response by regulating the JNK/NFκB pathway. Thus, FGF20 is a potential candidate treatment for TBI that protects the BBB by upregulating junction protein expression and inhibiting the inflammatory response.

FGF10 Attenuates Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can induce neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation, resulting in substantial neuronal damage and behavioral disorders. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have been shown to be critical mediators in tissue repair. However, the role of FGF10 in experimental TBI remains unknown. In this study, mice with TBI were established via weight-loss model and validated by increase of modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) and brain water content. Secondly, FGF10 levels were elevated in mice after TBI, whereas intraventricular injection of Ad-FGF10 decreased mNSS score and brain water content, indicating the remittance of neurological deficit and cerebral edema in TBI mice. In addition, neuronal damage could also be ameliorated by stereotactic injection of Ad-FGF10. Overexpression of FGF10 increased protein expression of Bcl-2, while it decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3/PARP, and improved neuronal apoptosis in TBI mice. In addition, Ad-FGF10 relieved neuroinflammation induced by TBI and significantly reduced the level of interleukin 1β/6, tumor necrosis factor α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Moreover, Ad-FGF10 injection decreased the protein expression level of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and phosphorylation of NF-κB (p-NF-κB), suggesting the inactivation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, overexpression of FGF10 could ameliorate neurological deficit, neuronal apoptosis, and neuroinflammation through inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for brain injury in the future.

Drug repositioning and repurposing for Alzheimer disease

Drug repositioning and repurposing can enhance traditional drug development efforts and could accelerate the identification of new treatments for individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Transcriptional profiling offers a new and highly efficient approach to the identification of novel candidates for repositioning and repurposing. In the future, novel AD transcriptional signatures from cells isolated at early stages of disease, or from human neurons or microglia that carry mutations that increase the risk of AD, might be used as probes to identify additional candidate drugs. Phase II trials assessing repurposed agents must consider the best target population for a specific candidate therapy as well as the mechanism of action of the treatment. In this Review, we highlight promising compounds to prioritize for clinical trials in individuals with AD, and discuss the value of Delphi consensus methodology and evidence-based reviews to inform this prioritization process. We also describe emerging work, focusing on the potential value of transcript signatures as a cost-effective approach to the identification of novel candidates for repositioning.

Fibroblast Growth Factor: Promising Target for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating mental disorders around the world. It is characterized by neuroanatomical or biochemical changes. The role of the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) system in schizophrenia has received considerable attention in recent years. Various changes in the gene expression and/or level of FGFs have been implicated in the etiology, symptoms and progression of schizophrenia. For example, studies have substantiated an interaction between FGFs and the signaling pathway of dopamine receptors. To understand the role of this system in schizophrenia, the databases of Open Access Journals, Web of Science, PubMed (NLM), LISTA (EBSCO), and Google Scholar with keywords including fibroblast growth factors, dopamine, schizophrenia, psychosis, along with neurotrophic were searched. In conclusion, the FGF family represent molecular candidates as new drug targets and treatment targets for schizophrenia.

FGF21 Protects Dopaminergic Neurons in Parkinson's Disease Models Via Repression of Neuroinflammation

Fibroblast growth factor21 (FGF21), a member of the FGF family, plays multiple biological functions including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis. It has been shown that FGF21 protects cells from acute injury in several kinds of cells such as islet β-cells, endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, and dopaminergic neurons. However, whether FGF21 plays neuroprotective roles against Parkinsonian syndrome in vivo has not been elucidated. Our results showed that FGF21 markedly improves cell survival in MPP⁺-treated SH-SY5Y cells and primary dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, we treated MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) model mice with the recombinant FGF21 via intranasal pathway. The results showed that FGF21 treatment significantly improves behavioral performances and prevents tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) loss in the substantia nigra par compacta (SNpc) and striatum. Mechanistically, FGF21 stimulates the AMPK/PGC-1α axis to promote mitochondrial functions. Moreover, FGF21 attenuates microglia and astrocyte activation induced by MPTP, leading to a low level of inflammation in the brain. Our data indicate that FGF21 prevents dopaminergic neuron loss and shows beneficial effects against MPTP-induced PD syndrome in mice, indicating it might be a potent candidate for developing novel drugs to deal with PD.

Chondroitinase ABC reduces dopaminergic nigral cell death and striatal terminal loss in a 6-hydroxydopamine partial lesion mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterised by dopaminergic cell loss within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) that leads to reduced striatal dopamine content and resulting motor deficits. Identifying new strategies to protect these cells from degeneration and retain striatal dopaminergic innervation is therefore of great importance. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are recognised contributors to the inhibitory extracellular milieu known to hinder tissue recovery following CNS damage. Digestion of these molecules by the bacterial lyase chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) has been shown to promote functional recovery in animal models of neurological injury. Although ChABC has been shown to promote sprouting of dopaminergic axons following transection of the nigrostriatal pathway, its ability to protect against nigrostriatal degeneration in a toxin-based module with better construct validity for PD has yet to be explored. Here we examined the neuroprotective efficacy of ChABC treatment in the full and partial 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion mouse models of PD.

Results

In mice bearing a full 6-OHDA lesion, ChABC treatment failed to protect against the loss of either nigral cells or striatal terminals. In contrast, in mice bearing a partial 6-OHDA lesion, ChABC treatment significantly protected cells of the rostral SNc, which remained at more than double the numbers seen in vehicle-treated animals. In the partial lesion model, ChABC treatment also significantly preserved dopaminergic fibres of the rostral dorsal striatum which increased from 15.3 ± 3.5% of the intact hemisphere in saline-treated animals to 36.3 ± 6.5% in the ChABC-treated group. These protective effects of ChABC treatment were not accompanied by improvements in either the cylinder or amphetamine-induced rotations tests of motor function.

Conclusions

ChABC treatment provided significant protection against a partial 6-OHDA lesion of the nigrostriatal tract although the degree of protection was not sufficient to improve motor outcomes. These results support further investigations into the benefits of ChABC treatment for providing neuroprotection in PD.

Autophagy Activation Is Involved in Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor Ameliorating Parkinson's Disease via Regulating Tribbles Homologue 3

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, resulting in loss of dopamine neurons. Excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy dysfunction play a crucial role on Parkinson's disease (PD) development. It has been showed that acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) alleviates the development of PD by inhibiting ER stress. But the role of autophagy and its relationship with ER stress during aFGF treatment for PD has not been elucidated. We found that both aFGF and rapamycin (Rapa) improved 6-Hydroxy Dopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD development as shown with histomorphology results in striatum and substantia nigra (SNpc). Additionally, aFGF promoted autophagy with increasing mTOR and decreasing p62 expressions, and then exerts its neuroprotective role in 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells, which were abolished by chloroquine (CQ) treatment. Moreover, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) administration inhibited the expressions of autophagy markers during 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells, which was similar with aFGF treating PC12 cells under 6-OHDA condition. Furthermore, we had detected the expressions of CHOP and its downstream factor, tribbles homologue 3 (TRB3), a pro-apoptotic protein. We found that TRB3 and CHOP expressions were significantly downregulated after treating with aFGF and 4-PBA in 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells and PD model. Taken together, this study has demonstrated that aFGF treatment ameliorates 6-OHDA-induced elevated ER stress and subsequently suppression of autophagy via inhibiting TRB3 activation, and consequently ameliorates 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity.

Targeted repositioning identifies drugs that increase fibroblast growth factor 20 production and protect against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced nigral cell loss in rats

Endogenous fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) supports maintenance of dopaminergic neurones within the nigrostriatal pathway. Moreover, direct intracerebral infusion of FGF20 protects against nigrostriatal tract loss in the 6-hydroxydopamine lesion rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Increasing endogenous FGF20 production might provide a less-invasive, more translational way of providing such protection. Accordingly, we adopted a targeted repositioning approach to screen for candidate FDA-approved drugs with potential to enhance endogenous FGF20 production in brain. In silico interrogation of the Broad Institute’s Connectivity Map database (CMap), revealed 50 candidate drugs predicted to increase FGF20 transcription, 16 of which had profiles favourable for use in Parkinson’s disease. Of these, 11 drugs were found to significantly elevate FGF20 protein production in MCF-7 cells, between two- and four-fold. Four drugs were selected for examination in vivo. Following oral dosing in rats for 7 days, salbutamol and triflusal, but not dimethadione or trazodone, significantly elevated FGF20 levels in the nigrostriatal tract. Preliminary examination in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat revealed a modest but significant protection against nigral cell loss with both drugs. Our data demonstrate the power of targeted repositioning as a method to identify existing drugs that may combat disease progression in Parkinson’s by boosting FGF20 levels.