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Zavvarian MM, Modi AD, Sadat S, Hong J, Fehlings MG. Translational Relevance of Secondary Intracellular Signaling Cascades Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5708. [PMID: 38891894 PMCID: PMC11172219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115708] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-threatening and life-altering condition that results in debilitating sensorimotor and autonomic impairments. Despite significant advances in the clinical management of traumatic SCI, many patients continue to suffer due to a lack of effective therapies. The initial mechanical injury to the spinal cord results in a series of secondary molecular processes and intracellular signaling cascades in immune, vascular, glial, and neuronal cell populations, which further damage the injured spinal cord. These intracellular cascades present promising translationally relevant targets for therapeutic intervention due to their high ubiquity and conservation across eukaryotic evolution. To date, many therapeutics have shown either direct or indirect involvement of these pathways in improving recovery after SCI. However, the complex, multifaceted, and heterogeneous nature of traumatic SCI requires better elucidation of the underlying secondary intracellular signaling cascades to minimize off-target effects and maximize effectiveness. Recent advances in transcriptional and molecular neuroscience provide a closer characterization of these pathways in the injured spinal cord. This narrative review article aims to survey the MAPK, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, Rho-ROCK, NF-κB, and JAK-STAT signaling cascades, in addition to providing a comprehensive overview of the involvement and therapeutic potential of these secondary intracellular pathways following traumatic SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Masoud Zavvarian
- Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (A.D.M.); (S.S.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Akshat D. Modi
- Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (A.D.M.); (S.S.); (J.H.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3J6, Canada
| | - Sarah Sadat
- Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (A.D.M.); (S.S.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - James Hong
- Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (A.D.M.); (S.S.); (J.H.)
| | - Michael G. Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (A.D.M.); (S.S.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
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Ni WF, Zhou KL, Zhang HJ, Chen YT, Hu XL, Cai WT, Wang XY. Functions and mechanisms of cytosolic phospholipase A 2 in central nervous system trauma. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:258-266. [PMID: 35900400 PMCID: PMC9396495 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.346460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Jiang M, Chu Y, Yang T, Li W, Zhang Z, Sun H, Liang H, Yang F. Developing a Novel Indium(III) Agent Based on Liposomes to Overcome Cisplatin-Induced Resistance in Breast Cancer by Multitargeting the Tumor Microenvironment Components. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14587-14602. [PMID: 34609868 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
To overcome the resistance of cancer cells to platinum-based drugs and effectively suppress tumor growth, we developed a novel indium (In) agent based on liposomes (Lips). Thus, we not only obtained an In(III) thiosemicarbazone agent (5b) with remarkable cytotoxicity by optimizing a series of In(III) thiosemicarbazone agents (1b-5b) but also successfully constructed a novel 5b-loaded Lip (5b-Lip) delivery system. Importantly, in vitro and in vivo results revealed that 5b/5b-Lip overcame the tumor cell resistance and effectively inhibited MCF-7/DDP tumor growth. In addition, Lips improved the intracellular accumulation of 5b. We also confirmed the mechanism by which 5b/5b-Lip overcomes breast cancer cell resistance. 5b/5b-Lip cannot act against DNA in cancer cells but attacks the two cell components in the tumor microenvironment, namely, by inducing apoptosis and lethal autophagy of cancer cells and resetting tumor-promoting M2 macrophages to the tumor-killing M1 phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China.,School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin, Guangxi 546199, China
| | - Yong Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China
| | - Tongfu Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China
| | - Wenjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China
| | - Zhenlei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China
| | - Hongbin Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China
| | - Feng Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China
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Kishima K, Tachibana T, Yamanaka H, Kobayashi K, Okubo M, Maruo K, Noguchi K. Role of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase in the spinal cord injury induced neuropathic pain. Spine J 2021; 21:343-351. [PMID: 32853793 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to increased phosphorylation of p38 in spinal cord microglia. This is one of the main causes for the development of persistent pain. Recently, we reported our study on the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in spinal microglia, which has been considered the key molecule for the onset and maintenance of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury, using a rat model. We also reported that the RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) pathway mediates p38 activation in spinal microglia in peripheral nerve injury. But the precise mechanisms of neuropathic pain induced by SCI are still unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the activation of microglia and the p38 MAPK expression in the lumbar spinal cord after thoracic SCI in rats, and the correlation to the therapeutic effect of ROCK inhibitor ripasudil in rats with SCI. STUDY DESIGN Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent thoracic (T10) spinal cord contusion injury using an Infinite Horizon impactor device. SCI rats received ROCK inhibitor ripasudil (24 nmol/day or 240 nmol/day) from just before SCI to 3 days after SCI. METHODS The mechanical threshold in the rat's hind paws was measured over four weeks. Morphology of microglia and phosphorylation of p38 (p-p38) in the lumbar spinal cord and were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The p-p38 positive cell and Iba1 (a maker of microglia) positive area were significantly increased at the lumbar spinal dorsal horn (L4-5) 3 days and 7 days after SCI compared with the sham-control (p<.05), whereas phosphorylated p38 was co-localized with microglia. Three days after SCI, the intensity of phosphorylated p38 and Iba1 immunoreactive cells in the dorsal horn was significantly lower in the ripasudil treated groups than in the saline group. However, administration of ROCK inhibitor did not affect the numbers of microglia. Moreover, the withdrawal threshold of the ripasudil-treated rats was significantly higher than that of the saline-injected rats on 14 days and 28 days after SCI. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that activation of ROCK in spinal cord microglia is likely to have an important role in the activation of p38 MAPK, which has been considered as a key molecule that switches on neuropathic pain after SCI. Inhibition of ROCK signaling may offer a means in developing a novel neuropathic pain treatment after SCI. It may help patients with neuropathic pain after SCI. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The findings in the present study regarding intracellular mechanisms suggest that modulation of ROCK signaling may be a focus for novel treatment for neuropathic pain after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Kishima
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Toshiya Tachibana
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Yamanaka
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Kimiko Kobayashi
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Masamichi Okubo
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Keishi Maruo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Koichi Noguchi
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
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Morganti JM, Goulding DS, Van Eldik LJ. Deletion of p38α MAPK in microglia blunts trauma-induced inflammatory responses in mice. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:98. [PMID: 31077217 PMCID: PMC6511220 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1493-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA and other developed countries worldwide. Following the initial mechanical insult, the brain's primary innate immune effector, microglia, initiate inflammatory signaling cascades and pathophysiological responses that can lead to chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative sequelae. The p38α MAPK signaling pathway in microglia is a key contributor to inflammatory responses to diverse disease-relevant stressors and injury conditions. Therefore, we tested here whether microglia p38α contributes to acute and persistent inflammatory responses induced by a focal TBI. We generated conditional cell-specific knockout of p38α in microglia using a CX3CR1 Cre-lox system, subjected the p38α knockout and wild-type mice to a controlled cortical impact TBI, and measured inflammatory responses at acute (1-day) and subacute (7-day) post-injury time points. We found that deletion of p38α in microglia only was sufficient to attenuate multiple pro-inflammatory responses following TBI, notably reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production and recruitment of inflammatory monocytes into the brain and preventing the persistent microglial morphological activation. These data provide strong evidence supporting a role for microglial p38α in propagation of a chronic and potentially neurotoxic pro-inflammatory environment in the brain following TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh M Morganti
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Danielle S Goulding
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Linda J Van Eldik
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. .,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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Qian Y, Qian F, Zhang W, Zhao L, Shen M, Ding C, Guo J. Shengjiang Powder ameliorates myocardial injury in septic rats by downregulating the phosphorylation of P38-MAPK. J Biosci 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-019-9857-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Cho YJ, Lee CH, Kim DW, Yoo KY, Eum WS, Shin MJ, Jo HS, Park J, Han KH, Lee KW, Choi SY. Effects of silk solution against laminectomy-induced dural adhesion formation and inflammation in a rat model. J Neurosurg Spine 2018; 29:599-607. [PMID: 30141762 DOI: 10.3171/2018.4.spine171164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The authors investigated the effects of a silk solution against laminectomy-induced dural adhesion formation and inflammation in a rat model. They found that it significantly reduced postlaminectomy dural adhesion formation and inflammation. Dural adhesion formation, thought to be an inevitable consequence of laminectomy, is one of the most common complications following spinal surgery, and the authors' results indicate that the silk solution might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for dural adhesion formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jun Cho
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hallym University Medical Center, Chuncheon
| | - Chi Hern Lee
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Dae Won Kim
- 3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Institute of Oral Sciences, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung; and
| | - Ki-Yeon Yoo
- 4Department of Oral Anatomy, College of Dentistry and Research Institute of Oral Biology, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Korea
| | - Won Sik Eum
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Min Jea Shin
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Hyo Sang Jo
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Jinseu Park
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Kyu Hyung Han
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Keun Wook Lee
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
| | - Soo Young Choi
- 2Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon
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Kasuya Y, Umezawa H, Hatano M. Stress-Activated Protein Kinases in Spinal Cord Injury: Focus on Roles of p38. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19030867. [PMID: 29543752 PMCID: PMC5877728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) consists of three phases-acute, secondary, and chronic damages-and limiting the development of secondary damage possibly improves functional recovery after SCI. A major component of the secondary phase of SCI is regarded as inflammation-triggered events: induction of cytokines, edema, microglial activation, apoptosis of cells including oligodendrocytes and neurons, demyelination, formation of the astrocytic scar, and so on. Two major stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-are activated in various types of cells in response to cellular stresses such as apoptotic stimuli and inflammatory waves. In animal models of SCI, inhibition of either JNK or p38 has been shown to promote neuroprotection-associated functional recovery. Here, we provide an overview on the roles of SAPKs in SCI and, in particular, the pathological role of p38 will be discussed as a promising target for therapeutic intervention in SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitoshi Kasuya
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Umezawa
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Masahiko Hatano
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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Umezawa H, Naito Y, Tanaka K, Yoshioka K, Suzuki K, Sudo T, Hagihara M, Hatano M, Tatsumi K, Kasuya Y. Genetic and Pharmacological Inhibition of p38α Improves Locomotor Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:72. [PMID: 28261102 PMCID: PMC5313485 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38α plays a crucial role in various inflammatory diseases and apoptosis of various types of cells. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological roles of p38α in spinal cord injury (SCI), using a mouse model. Lateral hemisection at T9 of the SC was performed in wild type (WT) and p38α+/- mice (p38α-/- showed embryonic lethality). p38α+/- mice showed a better functional recovery from SCI-associated paralyzed hindlimbs compared to WT mice at 7 days post-injury (dpi), which remained until 28 dpi (an end time point of monitoring the behavior). In histopathological analysis at 28 dpi, there was more axonal regeneration with remyelination on the caudal side of the lesion epicenter in p38α+/- mice than in WT mice. At 7 dpi, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lesion and expression of cytokines in the lesion were reduced in p38α+/- mice compared with WT mice. At the same time point, the number of apoptotic oligodendrocytes in the white matter at the caudal boarder of the lesion of p38α+/- mice was lower than that of WT mice. At 14 dpi, more neural and oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the gray matter and white matter, respectively, were observed around the lesion epicenter of p38α+/- mice compared with the case of WT mice. At the same time point, astrocytic scar formation was less apparent in p38α+/- than in WT mice, while compaction of inflammatory immune cells associated with the wound contraction was more apparent in p38α+/- than in WT mice. Furthermore, we verified the effectiveness of oral administration of SB239063, a p38α inhibitor on the hindlimb locomotor recovery after SCI. These results suggest that p38α deeply contributes to the pathogenesis of SCI and that inhibition of p38α is a beneficial strategy to recovery from SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Umezawa
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Naito
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan
| | - Kensuke Tanaka
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan
| | - Kento Yoshioka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan
| | - Kenichi Suzuki
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Sudo
- Chemical Biology Core Facility and Antibiotics Laboratory, RIKEN Advanced Science Institute Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Masahiko Hatano
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University Chiba, Japan
| | - Koichiro Tatsumi
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Kasuya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba UniversityChiba, Japan
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Maphis N, Jiang S, Xu G, Kokiko-Cochran ON, Roy SM, Van Eldik LJ, Watterson DM, Lamb BT, Bhaskar K. Selective suppression of the α isoform of p38 MAPK rescues late-stage tau pathology. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2016; 8:54. [PMID: 27974048 PMCID: PMC5157054 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-016-0221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau protein are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. We previously demonstrated that the microglial activation induces tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive impairment via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the hTau mouse model of tauopathy that was deficient for microglial fractalkine receptor CX3CR1. METHOD We report an isoform-selective, brain-permeable, and orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of p38α MAPK (MW181) and its effects on tau phosphorylation in vitro and in hTau mice. RESULTS First, pretreatment of mouse primary cortical neurons with MW181 completely blocked inflammation-induced p38α MAPK activation and AT8 (pS199/pS202) site tau phosphorylation, with the maximum effect peaking at 60-90 min after stimulation. Second, treatment of old (~20 months of age) hTau mice with MW181 (1 mg/kg body weight; 14 days via oral gavage) significantly reduced p38α MAPK activation compared with vehicle-administered hTau mice. This also resulted in a significant reduction in AT180 (pT231) site tau phosphorylation and Sarkosyl-insoluble tau aggregates. Third, MW181 treatment significantly increased synaptophysin protein expression and resulted in improved working memory. Fourth, MW181 administration reduced phosphorylated MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (pMK2) and phosphorylated activating transcription factor 2 (pATF2), which are known substrates of p38α MAPK. Finally, MW181 reduced the expression of interferon-γ and interleukin-1β. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these studies support p38α MAPK as a valid therapeutic target for the treatment of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Maphis
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, MSC08 4660, 1 University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Shanya Jiang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, MSC08 4660, 1 University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Guixiang Xu
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, 320W 15th Street, NB Suite 414C, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Olga N Kokiko-Cochran
- Department of Neurosciences, The Ohio State University, 4198 Graves Hall, 333 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Saktimayee M Roy
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ward Building Room Mail Code W896, 303 E Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Linda J Van Eldik
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - D Martin Watterson
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ward Building Room Mail Code W896, 303 E Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Bruce T Lamb
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, 320W 15th Street, NB Suite 414C, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kiran Bhaskar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, MSC08 4660, 1 University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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Sreekanth GP, Chuncharunee A, Sirimontaporn A, Panaampon J, Noisakran S, Yenchitsomanus PT, Limjindaporn T. SB203580 Modulates p38 MAPK Signaling and Dengue Virus-Induced Liver Injury by Reducing MAPKAPK2, HSP27, and ATF2 Phosphorylation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149486. [PMID: 26901653 PMCID: PMC4764010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) infection causes organ injuries, and the liver is one of the most important sites of DENV infection, where viral replication generates a high viral load. The molecular mechanism of DENV-induced liver injury is still under investigation. The mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including p38 MAPK, have roles in the hepatic cell apoptosis induced by DENV. However, the in vivo role of p38 MAPK in DENV-induced liver injury is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, in a mouse model of DENV infection. Both the hematological parameters, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, were improved by SB203580 treatment and liver transaminases and histopathology were also improved. We used a real-time PCR microarray to profile the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Tumor necrosis factor α, caspase 9, caspase 8, and caspase 3 proteins were significantly lower in the SB203580-treated DENV-infected mice than that in the infected control mice. Increased expressions of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10, and chemokines including RANTES and IP-10 in DENV infection were reduced by SB203580 treatment. DENV infection induced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK, and its downstream signals including MAPKAPK2, HSP27 and ATF-2. SB203580 treatment did not decrease the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, but it significantly reduced the phosphorylation of MAPKAPK2, HSP27, and ATF2. Therefore, SB203580 modulates the downstream signals to p38 MAPK and reduces DENV-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aporn Chuncharunee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aunchalee Sirimontaporn
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jutatip Panaampon
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sansanee Noisakran
- Medical Biotechnology Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pa-thai Yenchitsomanus
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thawornchai Limjindaporn
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail:
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Regulation of IL-10 by chondroitinase ABC promotes a distinct immune response following spinal cord injury. J Neurosci 2015; 34:16424-32. [PMID: 25471580 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2927-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) has striking effects on promoting neuronal plasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI), but little is known about its involvement in other pathological mechanisms. Recent work showed that ChABC might also modulate the immune response by promoting M2 macrophage polarization. Here we investigate in detail the immunoregulatory effects of ChABC after SCI in rats. Initially, we examined the expression profile of 16 M1/M2 macrophage polarization markers at 3 h and 7 d postinjury. ChABC treatment had a clear effect on the immune signature after SCI. More specifically, ChABC increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, accompanied by a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokine IL-12B in injured spinal tissue. These effects were associated with a distinct, IL-10-mediated anti-inflammatory response in ChABC-treated spinal cords. Mechanistically, we show that IL-10 expression is driven by tissue injury and macrophage infiltration, while the p38 MAPK is the central regulator of IL-10 expression in vivo. These findings provide novel insights into the effects of ChABC in the injured spinal cord and explain its immunoregulatory activity.
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Abstract
Neuropathology after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of both the immediate impact injury and secondary injury mechanisms. Unresolved post-traumatic glial activation is a secondary injury mechanism that contributes to a chronic state of neuroinflammation in both animal models of TBI and human head injury patients. We recently demonstrated, using in vitro models, that p38α MAPK signaling in microglia is a key event in promoting cytokine production in response to diverse disease-relevant stressors and subsequent inflammatory neuronal dysfunction. From these findings, we hypothesized that the p38α signaling pathway in microglia could be contributing to the secondary neuropathologic sequelae after a diffuse TBI. Mice where microglia were p38α-deficient (p38α KO) were protected against TBI-induced motor deficits and synaptic protein loss. In wild-type (WT) mice, diffuse TBI produced microglia morphological activation that lasted for at least 7 d; however, p38α KO mice failed to activate this response. Unexpectedly, we found that the peak of the early, acute phase cytokine and chemokine levels was increased in injured p38α KO mice compared with injured WT mice. The increased cytokine levels in the p38α KO mice could not be accounted for by more infiltration of macrophages or neutrophils, or increased astrogliosis. By 7 d after injury, the cytokine and chemokine levels remained elevated in injured WT mice but not in p38α KO mice. Together, these data suggest that p38α balances the inflammatory response by acutely attenuating the early proinflammatory cytokine surge while perpetuating the chronic microglia activation after TBI.
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Kang WH, Simon MJ, Gao S, Banta S, Morrison B. Attenuation of astrocyte activation by TAT-mediated delivery of a peptide JNK inhibitor. J Neurotrauma 2012; 28:1219-28. [PMID: 21510821 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2011.1879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocyte activation contributes to the brain's response to disease and injury. Activated astrocytes generate harmful radicals that exacerbate brain damage including nitric oxide, peroxides and superoxides. Furthermore, reactive astrocytes hinder regeneration of damaged neural circuits by secreting neuro-developmental inhibitors and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which physically block growth cone extension. Therefore, targeted therapeutic strategies to limit astrocyte activation may enhance recovery from many neurodegenerative states. Previously, we demonstrated that the HIV-1 TAT cell-penetrating peptide, a short non-toxic peptide from the full-length TAT protein, delivered a protein cargo to astrocytes in a process dependent on cell-surface GAG. Since activated astrocytes produce GAG, in this study we tested whether TAT could transduce activated astrocytes, deliver a biologically active cargo, and produce a physiological effect. Astrocyte activation was induced by IL-1β, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or mechanical stretch injury, and quantified by increased GAG and nitrite content. TAT-mediated delivery of a mock therapeutic protein, GFP, increased significantly after activation. Nitrite production, GAG expression, and GFP-TAT transduction were significantly attenuated by inhibitors of JNK, p38, or ERK. TAT fused to a peptide JNK inhibitor delivered the peptide inhibitor to activated astrocytes and significantly reduced activation. Our study is the first to report significant and direct modulation of astrocyte activation with a peptide JNK inhibitor. Our promising in vitro results warrant in vivo follow-up, as TAT-mediated protein delivery may have broad therapeutic potential for preventing astrocyte activation with the possibility of limiting off-target, negative side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Hyeun Kang
- Department of Biomedical, Columbia University, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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15
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David S, Zarruk JG, Ghasemlou N. Inflammatory pathways in spinal cord injury. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2012; 106:127-52. [PMID: 23211462 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407178-0.00006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Injury to the spinal cord results in direct damage to axons, neuronal cell bodies, and glia that cause functional loss below the site of injury. In addition, the injury also triggers an inflammatory response that contributes to secondary tissue damage that leads to further functional loss. Reducing inflammation after spinal cord injury (SCI) is therefore a worthy therapeutic goal. Inflammation in the injured spinal cord is a complex response that involves resident cells of the central nervous system as well as infiltrating immune cells, and is mediated by a variety of molecular pathways and signaling molecules. Here, we discuss approaches we have used to identify novel therapeutic targets to modulate the inflammatory response after SCI to reduce tissue damage and promote recovery. Effective treatments for SCI will likely require a combination of approaches to reduce inflammation and secondary damage with those that promote axon regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel David
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Gwak YS, Kang J, Unabia GC, Hulsebosch CE. Spatial and temporal activation of spinal glial cells: role of gliopathy in central neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury in rats. Exp Neurol 2011; 234:362-72. [PMID: 22036747 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Revised: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In the spinal cord, neuron and glial cells actively interact and contribute to neurofunction. Surprisingly, both cell types have similar receptors, transporters and ion channels and also produce similar neurotransmitters and cytokines. The neuroanatomical and neurochemical similarities work synergistically to maintain physiological homeostasis in the normal spinal cord. However, in trauma or disease states, spinal glia become activated, dorsal horn neurons become hyperexcitable contributing to sensitized neuronal-glial circuits. The maladaptive spinal circuits directly affect synaptic excitability, including activation of intracellular downstream cascades that result in enhanced evoked and spontaneous activity in dorsal horn neurons with the result that abnormal pain syndromes develop. Recent literature reported that spinal cord injury produces glial activation in the dorsal horn; however, the majority of glial activation studies after SCI have focused on transient and/or acute time points, from a few hours to 1 month, and peri-lesion sites, a few millimeters rostral and caudal to the lesion site. In addition, thoracic spinal cord injury produces activation of astrocytes and microglia that contributes to dorsal horn neuronal hyperexcitability and central neuropathic pain in above-level, at-level and below-level segments remote from the lesion in the spinal cord. The cellular and molecular events of glial activation are not simple events, rather they are the consequence of a combination of several neurochemical and neurophysiological changes following SCI. The ionic imbalances, neuroinflammation and alterations of cell cycle proteins after SCI are predominant components for neuroanatomical and neurochemical changes that result in glial activation. More importantly, SCI induced release of glutamate, proinflammatory cytokines, ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neurotrophic factors trigger activation of postsynaptic neuron and glial cells via their own receptors and channels that, in turn, contribute to neuronal-neuronal and neuronal-glial interaction as well as microglia-astrocytic interactions. However, a systematic review of temporal and spatial glial activation following SCI has not been done. In this review, we describe time and regional dependence of glial activation and describe activation mechanisms in various SCI models in rats. These data are placed in the broader context of glial activation mechanisms and chronic pain states. Our work in the context of work by others in SCI models demonstrates that dysfunctional glia, a condition called "gliopathy", is a key contributor in the underlying cellular mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young S Gwak
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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Hill CE, Guller Y, Raffa SJ, Hurtado A, Bunge MB. A calpain inhibitor enhances the survival of Schwann cells in vitro and after transplantation into the injured spinal cord. J Neurotrauma 2011; 27:1685-95. [PMID: 20568964 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2010.1272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the diversity of cells available for transplantation into sites of spinal cord injury (SCI), and the known ability of transplanted cells to integrate into host tissue, functional improvement associated with cellular transplantation has been limited. One factor potentially limiting the efficacy of transplanted cells is poor cell survival. Recently we demonstrated rapid and early death of Schwann cells (SCs) within the first 24 h after transplantation, by both necrosis and apoptosis, which results in fewer than 20% of the cells surviving beyond 1 week. To enhance SC transplant survival, in vitro and in vivo models to rapidly screen compounds for their ability to promote SC survival are needed. The current study utilized in vitro models of apoptosis and necrosis, and based on withdrawal of serum and mitogens and the application of hydrogen peroxide, we screened several inhibitors of apoptosis and necrosis. Of the compounds tested, the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 enhanced SC survival both in vitro in response to oxidative stress induced by application of H2O2, and in vivo following delayed transplantation into the moderately contused spinal cord. The results support the use of calpain inhibitors as a promising new treatment for promoting the survival of transplanted cells. They also suggest that in vitro assays for cell survival may be useful for establishing new compounds that can then be tested in vivo for their ability to promote transplanted SC survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Hill
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
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Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) contributes to secondary damage after spinal cord injury. J Neurosci 2010; 30:13750-9. [PMID: 20943915 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2998-10.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory response contributes importantly to secondary tissue damage and functional deficits after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this work, we identified mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2 or MK2), a downstream substrate of p38 MAPK, as a potential target using microarray analysis of contused spinal cord tissue taken at the peak of the inflammatory response. There was increased expression and phosphorylation of MK2 after SCI, with phospho-MK2 expressed in microglia/macrophages, neurons and astrocytes. We examined the role of MK2 in spinal cord contusion injury using MK2(-/-) mice. These results show that locomotor recovery was significantly improved in MK2(-/-) mice, compared with wild-type controls. MK2(-/-) mice showed reduced neuron and myelin loss, and increased sparing of serotonergic fibers in the ventral horn caudal to the injury site. We also found differential expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 in MK2(-/-) and wild-type mice after SCI. Significant reduction was also seen in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and protein nitrosylation in the injured spinal cord of MK2(-/-) mice. Our previous work has shown that macrophages lacking MK2 have an anti-inflammatory phenotype. We now show that there is no difference in the number of macrophages in the injured spinal cord between the two mouse strains and little if any difference in their phagocytic capacity, suggesting that macrophages lacking MK2 have a beneficial phenotype. These findings suggest that a lack of MK2 can reduce tissue damage after SCI and improve locomotor recovery. MK2 may therefore be a useful target to treat acute SCI.
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Chico LK, Van Eldik LJ, Watterson DM. Targeting protein kinases in central nervous system disorders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2009; 8:892-909. [PMID: 19876042 PMCID: PMC2825114 DOI: 10.1038/nrd2999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases are a growing drug target class in disorders in peripheral tissues, but the development of kinase-targeted therapies for central nervous system (CNS) diseases remains a challenge, largely owing to issues associated specifically with CNS drug discovery. However, several candidate therapeutics that target CNS protein kinases are now in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. We review candidate compounds and discuss selected CNS protein kinases that are emerging as important therapeutic targets. In addition, we analyse trends in small-molecule properties that correlate with key challenges in CNS drug discovery, such as blood-brain barrier penetrance and cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism, and discuss the potential of future approaches that will integrate molecular-fragment expansion with pharmacoinformatics to address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Chico
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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