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Mulder IA, Abbinanti M, Woller SA, Ruschel J, Coutinho JM, de Vries HE, van Bavel E, Rosen K, McKerracher L, Ayata C. The novel ROCK2 selective inhibitor NRL-1049 preserves the blood-brain barrier after acute injury. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024:271678X241238845. [PMID: 38833563 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x241238845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is critical in the pathophysiology of brain injury. Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) activation disrupts BBB integrity in the injured brain. We aimed to test the efficacy of a novel ROCK2 inhibitor in preserving the BBB after acute brain injury. We characterized the molecular structure and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of a novel selective ROCK2 inhibitor, NRL-1049, and its first metabolite, 1-hydroxy-NRL-1049 (referred to as NRL-2017 hereon) and tested the efficacy of NRL-1049 on the BBB integrity in rodent models of acute brain injury. Our data show that NRL-1049 and NRL-2017 both inhibit ROCK activity and are 44-fold and 17-fold more selective towards ROCK2 than ROCK1, respectively. When tested in a mouse model of cortical cryoinjury, NRL-1049 significantly attenuated the increase in water content. Interestingly, 60% of the mice in the vehicle arm developed seizures within 2 hours after cryoinjury versus none in the NRL-1049 arm. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, NRL-1049 attenuated the dramatic surge in Evans Blue extravasation compared with the vehicle arm after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Hemorrhagic transformation was also reduced. We show that NRL-1049, a selective ROCK2 inhibitor, is a promising drug candidate to preserve the BBB after brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge A Mulder
- Neurovascular Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Microcirculation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan M Coutinho
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Helga E de Vries
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ed van Bavel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Microcirculation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Lisa McKerracher
- BioAxone BioSciences Inc, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cenk Ayata
- Neurovascular Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Stroke Service, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Cai Y, Wang LW, Wu J, Chen ZW, Yu XF, Liu FH, Gao DP. Fasudil alleviates alcohol-induced cognitive deficits and hippocampal morphology injury partly by altering the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules. Behav Brain Res 2024; 471:115068. [PMID: 38830386 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD) manifests predominantly as cognitive impairment and brain atrophy with the hippocampus showing particular vulnerability. Fasudil, a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, has established neuroprotective properties; however, its impact on alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal structural damage remains unelucidated. This study probes Fasudil's neuroprotective potential and identifies its mechanism of action in an in vivo context. Male C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to 30% (v/v, 6.0 g/kg) ethanol by intragastric administration for four weeks. Concurrently, these mice received a co-treatment with Fasudil through intraperitoneal injections at a dosage of 10 mg/kg/day. Fasudil was found to mitigate alcohol-induced spatial and recognition memory deficits, which were quantified using Y maze, Morris water maze, and novel object recognition tests. Concurrently, Fasudil attenuated hippocampal structural damage prompted by chronic alcohol exposure. Notably, Fasudil moderated alcohol-induced disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules-mechanisms central to the maintenance of hippocampal synaptic integrity. Collectively, our findings indicate that Fasudil partially reverses alcohol-induced cognitive and morphological detriments by modulating cytoskeletal dynamics, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies for ARBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, 666 Siming Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315500, PR China
| | - Lu-Wan Wang
- School of Medical, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, PR China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, 666 Siming Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315500, PR China
| | - Zi-Wei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, 666 Siming Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315500, PR China
| | - Xue-Feng Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, 666 Siming Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315500, PR China
| | - Fu-He Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, 666 Siming Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315500, PR China
| | - Da-Peng Gao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, 247 Renmin Rd, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315020, PR China.
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Tao X, Zhang W, Chen C, Tao Y, Tao Y, Chen Z, Zhang G. miR-101a-3p/ROCK2 axis regulates neuronal injury in Parkinson's disease models. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:8732-8746. [PMID: 38775730 PMCID: PMC11164493 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205836] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). This study focuses on deciphering the role of microRNA (miR)-101a-3p in the neuronal injury of PD and its regulatory mechanism. METHODS We constructed a mouse model of PD by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl 4-phenyl 1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP), and used 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to treat Neuro-2a cells to construct an in-vitro PD model. Neurological dysfunction in mice was evaluated by swimming test and traction test. qRT-PCR was utilized to examine miR-101a-3p expression and ROCK2 expression in mouse brain tissues and Neuro-2a cells. Western blot was conducted to detect the expression of α-synuclein protein and ROCK2 in mouse brain tissues and Neuro-2a cells. The targeting relationship between miR-101a-3p and ROCK2 was determined by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The apoptosis of neuro-2a cells was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Low miR-101a-3p expression and high ROCK2 expression were found in the brain tissues of PD mice and MPP+-treated Neuro-2a cells; PD mice showed decreased neurological disorders, and apoptosis of Neuro-2a cells was increased after MPP+ treatment, both of which were accompanied by increased accumulation of α-synuclein protein. After miR-101a-3p was overexpressed, the neurological function of PD mice was improved, and the apoptosis of Neuro-2a cells induced by MPP+ was alleviated, and the accumulation of α-synuclein protein was reduced; ROCK2 overexpression counteracted the protective effect of miR-101a-3p. Additionally, ROCK2 was identified as the direct target of miR-101a-3p. CONCLUSION MiR-101a-3p can reduce neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficit in PD mice by inhibiting ROCK2 expression, suggesting that miR-101a-3p is a promising therapeutic target for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Wenfei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Orthodontics, Wuhan First Stomatological Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Yang Tao
- Department of Nursing, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Yun Tao
- Department of Stomatology, Wuhan Central Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Zhibiao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
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Prasanth MI, Sivamaruthi BS, Cheong CSY, Verma K, Tencomnao T, Brimson JM, Prasansuklab A. Role of Epigenetic Modulation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications of Phytochemical Interventions. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:606. [PMID: 38790711 PMCID: PMC11118909 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics defines changes in cell function without involving alterations in DNA sequence. Neuroepigenetics bridges neuroscience and epigenetics by regulating gene expression in the nervous system and its impact on brain function. With the increase in research in recent years, it was observed that alterations in the gene expression did not always originate from changes in the genetic sequence, which has led to understanding the role of epigenetics in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Epigenetic alterations contribute to the aberrant expression of genes involved in neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, and neuronal death. Natural phytochemicals have shown promise as potential therapeutic agents against NDDs because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in cellular and animal models. For instance, resveratrol (grapes), curcumin (turmeric), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG; green tea) exhibit neuroprotective effects through their influence on DNA methylation patterns, histone acetylation, and non-coding RNA expression profiles. Phytochemicals also aid in slowing disease progression, preserving neuronal function, and enhancing cognitive and motor abilities. The present review focuses on various epigenetic modifications involved in the pathology of NDDs, including AD and PD, gene expression regulation related to epigenetic alterations, and the role of specific polyphenols in influencing epigenetic modifications in AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Iyer Prasanth
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.I.P.); (C.S.Y.C.); (K.V.); (T.T.); (J.M.B.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Clerance Su Yee Cheong
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.I.P.); (C.S.Y.C.); (K.V.); (T.T.); (J.M.B.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kanika Verma
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.I.P.); (C.S.Y.C.); (K.V.); (T.T.); (J.M.B.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.I.P.); (C.S.Y.C.); (K.V.); (T.T.); (J.M.B.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - James Michael Brimson
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.I.P.); (C.S.Y.C.); (K.V.); (T.T.); (J.M.B.)
- Research, Innovation and International Affairs, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Prasansuklab
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.I.P.); (C.S.Y.C.); (K.V.); (T.T.); (J.M.B.)
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Gathings A, Zaman V, Banik NL, Haque A. Insights into Calpain Activation and Rho-ROCK Signaling in Parkinson's Disease and Aging. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1074. [PMID: 38791036 PMCID: PMC11117523 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, has no cure, and current therapies are not effective at halting disease progression. The disease affects mid-brain dopaminergic neurons and, subsequently, the spinal cord, contributing to many debilitating symptoms associated with PD. The GTP-binding protein, Rho, plays a significant role in the cellular pathology of PD. The downstream effector of Rho, Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), plays multiple functions, including microglial activation and induction of inflammatory responses. Activated microglia have been implicated in the pathology of many neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, that initiate inflammatory responses, leading to neuron death. Calpain expression and activity is increased following glial activation, which triggers the Rho-ROCK pathway and induces inflammatory T cell activation and migration as well as mediates toxic α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation and neuron death, indicating a pivotal role for calpain in the inflammatory and degenerative processes in PD. Increased calpain activity and Rho-ROCK activation may represent a new mechanism for increased oxidative damage in aging. This review will summarize calpain activation and the role of the Rho-ROCK pathway in oxidative stress and α-syn aggregation, their influence on the neurodegenerative process in PD and aging, and possible strategies and research directions for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Gathings
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (A.G.); (N.L.B.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Vandana Zaman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - Narendra L. Banik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (A.G.); (N.L.B.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - Azizul Haque
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (A.G.); (N.L.B.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
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Han T, Xu Y, Liu H, Sun L, Cheng X, Shen Y, Wei J. Function and Mechanism of Abscisic Acid on Microglia-Induced Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4920. [PMID: 38732130 PMCID: PMC11084589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), as a neurologically implemented disease with complex etiological factors, has a complex and variable pathogenesis. Accompanying further research, neuroinflammation has been found to be one of the possible factors in its pathogenesis. Microglia, as intrinsic immune cells in the brain, play an important role in maintaining microenvironmental homeostasis in the brain. However, over-activation of neurotoxic microglia in PD promotes neuroinflammation, which further increases dopaminergic (DA) neuronal damage and exacerbates the disease process. Therefore, targeting and regulating the functional state of microglia is expected to be a potential avenue for PD treatment. In addition, plant extracts have shown great potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders due to their abundant resources, mild effects, and the presence of multiple active ingredients. However, it is worth noting that some natural products have certain toxic side effects, so it is necessary to pay attention to distinguish medicinal ingredients and usage and dosage when using to avoid aggravating the progression of diseases. In this review, the roles of microglia with different functional states in PD and the related pathways inducing microglia to transform into neuroprotective states are described. At the same time, it is discussed that abscisic acid (ABA) may regulate the polarization of microglia by targeting them, promote their transformation into neuroprotective state, reduce the neuroinflammatory response in PD, and provide a new idea for the treatment of PD and the selection of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Han
- Institute for Brain Sciences Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.H.); (Y.X.); (H.L.); (X.C.)
| | - Yuxiang Xu
- Institute for Brain Sciences Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.H.); (Y.X.); (H.L.); (X.C.)
| | - Haixuan Liu
- Institute for Brain Sciences Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.H.); (Y.X.); (H.L.); (X.C.)
| | - Lin Sun
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Xiangshu Cheng
- Institute for Brain Sciences Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.H.); (Y.X.); (H.L.); (X.C.)
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Physiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Jianshe Wei
- Institute for Brain Sciences Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.H.); (Y.X.); (H.L.); (X.C.)
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Wolff AW, Peine J, Höfler J, Zurek G, Hemker C, Lingor P. SAFE-ROCK: A Phase I Trial of an Oral Application of the ROCK Inhibitor Fasudil to Assess Bioavailability, Safety, and Tolerability in Healthy Participants. CNS Drugs 2024; 38:291-302. [PMID: 38416402 PMCID: PMC10980656 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01070-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intravenous (IV) formulation of Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor fasudil has been approved for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage since 1995. Additionally, fasudil has shown promising preclinical results for various chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and dementia, in which long-term intravenous (IV) administration might not be suitable. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the absolute bioavailability of oral, in comparison to IV, application of the approved formulation of fasudil (ERIL®) and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the oral application of fasudil. METHODS This was a phase I, single-center, open-label, randomized, two period cross-over clinical trial in healthy women and men. By applying a cross-over design, each subject served as their own control. Two treatments were investigated, separated by a wash out phase of at least 3 days. Oral fasudil was administered once on day 1 to assess pharmacokinetics and three times on day 2, at an interval of 8 ± 1 h, to assess safety and gastrointestinal tolerability. For pharmacometrics of IV fasudil, it was administered once on day 1. Plasma profiles of fasudil and its active metabolite hydroxyfasudil after oral or IV administration were measured by liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Tolerability was assessed as proportion of subjects without significant drug intolerance, and safety was assessed by the proportion of subjects without clinical or laboratory treatment-associated serious adverse events. Gastrointestinal safety was assessed by applying the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS). RESULTS Fourteen subjects aged 30-70 years were included in this trial. After oral administration, fasudil concentrations in blood were mostly very low [1.4 g/L; coefficient of variation (CV) 41.0%]. After IV application, the peak concentration was 100.6 µg/L (CV 74.2%); however, a high variance in peak concentrations were assessed for both treatments. The maximal concentrations of hydroxyfasudil in blood were similar after oral and IV treatment [111.6 µg/L (CV 24.1%) and 108.4 µg/L (CV 19.7%), respectively]. Exposure of hydroxyfasudil (assessed as AUC0-tz) differed between both treatments, with 449 µg × h/L after IV treatment and 309 µg × h/L after oral treatment. Therefore, the absolute bioavailability of hydroxyfasudil after the oral treatment was approximately 69% of the IV treatment. No serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred during this trial, and good tolerability of oral fasudil (90 mg/day) was documented. CONCLUSIONS Oral fasudil was generally well tolerated in the studied population, and no safety concerns were identified. However, systemic bioavailability of oral hydroxyfasudil corresponded to 69%, and dose adjustments need to considered. The results presented here lay grounds for future trials of fasudil in chronic diseases, which require an oral long-term application. This trial was registered with EudraCT (no. 2019-001805-26).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas W Wolff
- Clinical Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Peine
- Institute for Clinical Research, AtoZ-CRO GmbH, Overath, Germany
| | | | | | - Claus Hemker
- CTC North GmbH & Co. KG at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul Lingor
- Clinical Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
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8
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Grams RJ, Santos WL, Scorei IR, Abad-García A, Rosenblum CA, Bita A, Cerecetto H, Viñas C, Soriano-Ursúa MA. The Rise of Boron-Containing Compounds: Advancements in Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, and Emerging Pharmacology. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2441-2511. [PMID: 38382032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Boron-containing compounds (BCC) have emerged as important pharmacophores. To date, five BCC drugs (including boronic acids and boroles) have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer, infections, and atopic dermatitis, while some natural BCC are included in dietary supplements. Boron's Lewis acidity facilitates a mechanism of action via formation of reversible covalent bonds within the active site of target proteins. Boron has also been employed in the development of fluorophores, such as BODIPY for imaging, and in carboranes that are potential neutron capture therapy agents as well as novel agents in diagnostics and therapy. The utility of natural and synthetic BCC has become multifaceted, and the breadth of their applications continues to expand. This review covers the many uses and targets of boron in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Justin Grams
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 900 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Webster L Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 900 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | | | - Antonio Abad-García
- Academia de Fisiología y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carol Ann Rosenblum
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 900 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Andrei Bita
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Hugo Cerecetto
- Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Mataojo 2055, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Clara Viñas
- Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marvin A Soriano-Ursúa
- Academia de Fisiología y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
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9
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Willis EF, Kim SJ, Chen W, Nyuydzefe M, MacDonald KPA, Zanin-Zhorov A, Ruitenberg MJ, Vukovic J. ROCK2 regulates microglia proliferation and neuronal survival after traumatic brain injury. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 117:181-194. [PMID: 38211634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in prolonged and non-resolving activation of microglia. Forced turnover of these cells during the acute phase of TBI aids recovery, but the cell-intrinsic pathways that underpin the pro-repair phenotype of these repopulating microglia remain unclear. Here, we show that selective targeting of ROCK2 with the small molecule inhibitor KD025 impairs the proliferative response of microglia after TBI as well as during genetically induced turnover of microglia. KD025 treatment abolished the substantial neuroprotective and cognitive benefits conferred by repopulating microglia, preventing these cells from replenishing the depleted niche during the early critical time window post-injury. Delaying KD025 treatment to the subacute phase of TBI allowed microglial repopulation to occur, but this did not enhance the benefits conferred by repopulating microglia. Taken together, our data indicate that ROCK2 mediates neuronal survival and microglial population dynamics after TBI, including the emergence of repopulating microglia with a pro-repair phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Willis
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Seung Jae Kim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Wei Chen
- Graviton Bioscience Corporation, Gravition Bioscience B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Melanie Nyuydzefe
- Graviton Bioscience Corporation, Gravition Bioscience B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marc J Ruitenberg
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Jana Vukovic
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia.
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10
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Shang N, Li X, Zhang L, Wang S, He C, Zhang L, Niu Q, Zheng X. Zinc as a Mediator Through the ROCK1 Pathway of Cognitive Impairment in Aluminum-Exposed Workers: A Clinical and Animal Study. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04119-2. [PMID: 38407795 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) exposure was implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment, yet the involvement of zinc (Zn) and its mechanism in Al-induced mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains poorly understood. The objective is to explore the role of Zn in Al-induced cognitive impairment and its potential mechanisms. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test scores and serum Al, Zn from Al industry workers were collected. A mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the role of serum Zn among serum Al and MoCA test scores. Subsequently, an Al-exposure study was conducted on a rat model categorized into control, low-, medium-, and high-dose groups. After a Morris Water Maze test and detection of Al, Zn content in the hippocampus, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses between the control group and the high-dose group were performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEPs), proteins (DEPs), and pathways. To corroborate these findings, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB) were selected to identify the gene and protein results. Zn overall mediates the relationship between serum Al and cognitive function (mediation effect 17.82%, effect value = - 0.0351). In the Al-exposed rat model, 734 DEGs, 18 miRNAs, 35 lncRNAs, 64 circRNAs, and 113 DEPs were identified between the high-dose group and the control group. Among them, ROCK1, DMD, and other four DEPs were identified as related to zinc finger proteins (ZNF). Co-enrichment analyses of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) linked these changes to the RHOA/ROCK1 signaling axis. ZNF-related proteins Rock1, DMD, and DHX57 in the high-dose group were downregulated (p = 0.006, 0.003, 0.04), and the expression of Myl9, Rhoa, miR431, and miR182 was also downregulated (p = 0.003, 0.032, 0.032, and 0.046). These findings also show correlations between Al, Zn levels in the hippocampus, water maze performance, and expressions of Myl9, Rhoa, miR431, miR182, DMD, ROCK1, and DHX57, with both negative and positive associations. Based on the results, we determined that Zn was involved in Al-induced MCI in Al workers and Al-exposed rat models. Al exposure and interaction with Zn could trigger the downregulation of ZNF of ROCK1, DMD, and DHX57. miR431, miR182 regulate RHOA/ROCK1 was one of the Zn-involved pathways in Al-induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Shang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China
| | - Xianlin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - ShanShan Wang
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Special Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Chanting He
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Qiao Niu
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaojun Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China.
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11
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Wolff AW, Bidner H, Remane Y, Zimmer J, Aarsland D, Rascol O, Wyse RK, Hapfelmeier A, Lingor P. Protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase IIa study of the safety, tolerability, and symptomatic efficacy of the ROCK-inhibitor Fasudil in patients with Parkinson's disease (ROCK-PD). Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1308577. [PMID: 38419648 PMCID: PMC10899319 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1308577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Fasudil has shown symptomatic and disease-modifying effects in Parkinson's disease (PD) models in vitro and in vivo. In Japan, Fasudil has been approved for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage since 1995 and shows a favourable safety profile. Objectives/design To investigate the safety, tolerability, and symptomatic efficacy of ROCK-inhibitor Fasudil in comparison to placebo in a randomized, national, multicenter, double-blind phase IIa study in patients with PD. Methods/analysis We plan to include 75 patients with at least 'probable' PD (MDS criteria), Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3, and age 30-80 years in 13 German study sites. Patients must be non-fluctuating and their response to PD medication must have been stable for 6 weeks. Patients will be randomly allocated to treatment with the oral investigational medicinal product (IMP) containing either Fasudil in two dosages, or placebo, for a total of 22 days. As primary analysis, non-inferiority of low/high dose of Fasudil on the combined endpoint consisting of occurrence of intolerance and/or treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs) over 22 days will be assessed in a sequential order, starting with the lower dose. Secondary endpoints will include tolerability alone over 22 days and occurrence of treatment-related SAEs (SARs) over 22 and 50 days and will be compared on group level. Additional secondary endpoints include efficacy on motor and non-motor symptoms, measured on established scales, and will be assessed at several timepoints. Biomaterial will be collected to determine pharmacokinetics of Fasudil and its active metabolite, and to evaluate biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Ethics/registration/discussion After positive evaluation by the competent authority and the ethics committee, patient recruitment started in the 3rd quarter of 2023. ROCK-PD is registered with Eudra-CT (2021-003879-34) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05931575). Results of this trial can pave way for conducting extended-duration studies assessing both symptomatic efficacy and disease-modifying properties of Fasudil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas W Wolff
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Bidner
- Münchner Studienzentrum (MSZ), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yvonne Remane
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Janine Zimmer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Age-Related Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Olivier Rascol
- Clinical Investigation Center CIC1436, Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Neurosciences, University of Toulouse 3, University Hospital of Toulouse, INSERM, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Alexander Hapfelmeier
- Institute of AI and Informatics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Lingor
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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12
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Zhang W, Xu H, Li C, Han B, Zhang Y. Exploring Chinese herbal medicine for ischemic stroke: insights into microglia and signaling pathways. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1333006. [PMID: 38318134 PMCID: PMC10838993 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1333006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a prevalent clinical condition affecting the central nervous system, characterized by a high mortality and disability rate. Its incidence is progressively rising, particularly among younger individuals, posing a significant threat to human well-being. The activation and polarization of microglia, leading to pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, are widely recognized as pivotal factors in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs) boasts a rich historical background, notable efficacy, and minimal adverse effects. It exerts its effects by modulating microglia activation and polarization, suppressing inflammatory responses, and ameliorating nerve injury through the mediation of microglia and various associated pathways (such as NF-κB signaling pathway, Toll-like signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, among others). Consequently, this article focuses on microglia as a therapeutic target, reviewing relevant pathway of literature on TCHMs to mitigate neuroinflammation and mediate IS injury, while also exploring research on drug delivery of TCHMs. The ultimate goal is to provide new insights that can contribute to the clinical management of IS using TCHMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bingbing Han
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yimin Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
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13
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Huang Y, Mao CR, Lou Y, Zhan S, Chen Z, Ding W, Ma Z. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of an Orally Bioavailable, Potent, and Selective ROCK2 Inhibitor for Psoriasis Treatment. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15205-15229. [PMID: 37943013 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Psoriasis, a prevalent chronic skin disorder, remains a significant therapeutic obstacle. This study centers on rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase2 (ROCK2) as an advantageous target for treating psoriasis and identifies five potent and selective ROCK2 inhibitors (A31-35). Notably, A32-35 outperform KD025 in ROCK2/ROCK1 selectivity by up to 216-fold. Among these candidates, A31 emerged as an exceedingly promising molecule, showcasing remarkable inhibitory potency (IC50 = 3.7 ± 0.8 nM), 19-fold ROCK2/ROCK1 selectivity, and favorable pharmacokinetics. Insights from the binding mode study further underscored the pivotal role of interactions with Phe103 on the P-loop in determining the selectivity between ROCK1 and ROCK2. In an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model, oral administration of A31 notably ameliorated symptoms by targeting the IL-23/Th17 axis. Based on these compelling findings, A31 was selected as a highly promising compound for further investigation as a potential treatment for psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Chu-Ru Mao
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Yijie Lou
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Pathophysiology of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Pathophysiology of Zhejiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Wanjing Ding
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Zhongjun Ma
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China
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14
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Polopalli S, Saha A, Niri P, Kumar M, Das P, Kamboj DV, Chattopadhyay P. ROCK Inhibitors as an Alternative Therapy for Corneal Grafting: A Systematic Review. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2023; 39:585-599. [PMID: 37738326 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2023.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, corneal blindness is affecting >10 million individuals worldwide, and there is a significant unmet medical need because only 1.5% of transplantation needs are met globally due to a lack of high-quality grafts. In light of this global health disaster, researchers are developing corneal substitutes that can resemble the human cornea in vivo and replace human donor tissue. Thus, this review examines ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinases) inhibitors as a potential corneal wound-healing (CWH) therapy by reviewing the existing clinical and nonclinical findings. The systematic review was done from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for CWH, corneal injury, corneal endothelial wound healing, ROCK inhibitors, Fasudil, Netarsudil, Ripasudil, Y-27632, clinical trial, clinical study, case series, case reports, preclinical study, in vivo, and in vitro studies. After removing duplicates, all downloaded articles were examined. The literature search included the data till January 2023. This review summarized the results of ROCK inhibitors in clinical and preclinical trials. In a clinical trial, various ROCK inhibitors improved CWH in individuals with open-angle glaucoma, cataract, iris cyst, ocular hypertension, and other ocular diseases. ROCK inhibitors also improved ocular wound healing by increasing cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. ROCK inhibitors have antifibrotic, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic characteristics in CWH, according to the existing research. ROCK inhibitors were effective topical treatments for corneal infections. Ripasudil, Y-27632, H-1152, Y-39983, and AMA0526 are a few new ROCK inhibitors that may help CWH and replace human donor tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramanyam Polopalli
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, India
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Achintya Saha
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Pakter Niri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, India
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Mohit Kumar
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, India
| | - Parikshit Das
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, India
| | - Dev Vrat Kamboj
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, India
| | - Pronobesh Chattopadhyay
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur, India
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15
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Tanaka R, Yamada K. Genomic and Reverse Translational Analysis Discloses a Role for Small GTPase RhoA Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia: Rho-Kinase as a Novel Drug Target. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15623. [PMID: 37958606 PMCID: PMC10648424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is one of the most serious psychiatric disorders and is characterized by reductions in both brain volume and spine density in the frontal cortex. RhoA belongs to the RAS homolog (Rho) family and plays critical roles in neuronal development and structural plasticity via Rho-kinase. RhoA activity is regulated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Several variants in GAPs and GEFs associated with RhoA have been reported to be significantly associated with schizophrenia. Moreover, several mouse models carrying schizophrenia-associated gene variants involved in RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling have been developed. In this review, we summarize clinical evidence showing that variants in genes regulating RhoA activity are associated with schizophrenia. In the last half of the review, we discuss preclinical evidence indicating that RhoA/Rho-kinase is a potential therapeutic target of schizophrenia. In particular, Rho-kinase inhibitors exhibit anti-psychotic-like effects not only in Arhgap10 S490P/NHEJ mice, but also in pharmacologic models of schizophrenia (methamphetamine- and MK-801-treated mice). Accordingly, we propose that Rho-kinase inhibitors may have antipsychotic effects and reduce cognitive deficits in schizophrenia despite the presence or absence of genetic variants in small GTPase signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinako Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan;
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan;
- International Center for Brain Science (ICBS), Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
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16
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Jurcau A, Andronie-Cioara FL, Nistor-Cseppento DC, Pascalau N, Rus M, Vasca E, Jurcau MC. The Involvement of Neuroinflammation in the Onset and Progression of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14582. [PMID: 37834030 PMCID: PMC10573049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease exhibiting the fastest growth in incidence in recent years. As with most neurodegenerative diseases, the pathophysiology is incompletely elucidated, but compelling evidence implicates inflammation, both in the central nervous system and in the periphery, in the initiation and progression of the disease, although it is not yet clear what triggers this inflammatory response and where it begins. Gut dysbiosis seems to be a likely candidate for the initiation of the systemic inflammation. The therapies in current use provide only symptomatic relief, but do not interfere with the disease progression. Nonetheless, animal models have shown promising results with therapies that target various vicious neuroinflammatory cascades. Translating these therapeutic strategies into clinical trials is still in its infancy, and a series of issues, such as the exact timing, identifying biomarkers able to identify Parkinson's disease in early and pre-symptomatic stages, or the proper indications of genetic testing in the population at large, will need to be settled in future guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Jurcau
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania; (A.J.); (D.C.N.-C.)
| | - Felicia Liana Andronie-Cioara
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania; (A.J.); (D.C.N.-C.)
| | - Delia Carmen Nistor-Cseppento
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania; (A.J.); (D.C.N.-C.)
| | - Nicoleta Pascalau
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania; (A.J.); (D.C.N.-C.)
| | - Marius Rus
- Department of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Elisabeta Vasca
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine “Vasile Goldis” Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
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17
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Benarroch E. What Is the Role of the Rho-ROCK Pathway in Neurologic Disorders? Neurology 2023; 101:536-543. [PMID: 37722862 PMCID: PMC10516277 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
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18
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Sousa T, Moreira PI, Cardoso S. Current Advances in Mitochondrial Targeted Interventions in Alzheimer's Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2331. [PMID: 37760774 PMCID: PMC10525414 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder and affects the lives not only of those who are diagnosed but also of their caregivers. Despite the enormous social, economic and political burden, AD remains a disease without an effective treatment and with several failed attempts to modify the disease course. The fact that AD clinical diagnosis is most often performed at a stage at which the underlying pathological events are in an advanced and conceivably irremediable state strongly hampers treatment attempts. This raises the awareness of the need to identify and characterize the early brain changes in AD, in order to identify possible novel therapeutic targets to circumvent AD's cascade of events. One of the most auspicious targets is mitochondria, powerful organelles found in nearly all cells of the body. A vast body of literature has shown that mitochondria from AD patients and model organisms of the disease differ from their non-AD counterparts. In view of this evidence, preserving and/or restoring mitochondria's health and function can represent the primary means to achieve advances to tackle AD. In this review, we will briefly assess and summarize the previous and latest evidence of mitochondria dysfunction in AD. A particular focus will be given to the recent updates and advances in the strategy options aimed to target faulty mitochondria in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Sousa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Paula I. Moreira
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIBB—Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Cardoso
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIBB—Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC—Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
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19
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Yeo RW, Zhou OY, Zhong BL, Sun ED, Navarro Negredo P, Nair S, Sharmin M, Ruetz TJ, Wilson M, Kundaje A, Dunn AR, Brunet A. Chromatin accessibility dynamics of neurogenic niche cells reveal defects in neural stem cell adhesion and migration during aging. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:866-893. [PMID: 37443352 PMCID: PMC10353944 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00449-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The regenerative potential of brain stem cell niches deteriorates during aging. Yet the mechanisms underlying this decline are largely unknown. Here we characterize genome-wide chromatin accessibility of neurogenic niche cells in vivo during aging. Interestingly, chromatin accessibility at adhesion and migration genes decreases with age in quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs) but increases with age in activated (proliferative) NSCs. Quiescent and activated NSCs exhibit opposing adhesion behaviors during aging: quiescent NSCs become less adhesive, whereas activated NSCs become more adhesive. Old activated NSCs also show decreased migration in vitro and diminished mobilization out of the niche for neurogenesis in vivo. Using tension sensors, we find that aging increases force-producing adhesions in activated NSCs. Inhibiting the cytoskeletal-regulating kinase ROCK reduces these adhesions, restores migration in old activated NSCs in vitro, and boosts neurogenesis in vivo. These results have implications for restoring the migratory potential of NSCs and for improving neurogenesis in the aged brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin W Yeo
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Olivia Y Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brian L Zhong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eric D Sun
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Biomedical Informatics Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Surag Nair
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mahfuza Sharmin
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tyson J Ruetz
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mikaela Wilson
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander R Dunn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anne Brunet
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Glenn Laboratories for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Zhang H, Lu F, Liu P, Qiu Z, Li J, Wang X, Xu H, Zhao Y, Li X, Wang H, Lu D, Qi R. A direct interaction between RhoGDIα/Tau alleviates hyperphosphorylation of Tau in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2023; 18:58-71. [PMID: 35080740 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-021-10049-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
RhoGDIα is an inhibitor of RhoGDP dissociation that involves in Aβ metabolism and NFTs production in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating of RhoGTP enzyme activity. Our previous research revealed that RhoGDIα, as the target of Polygala saponin (Sen), might alleviate apoptosis of the nerve cells caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). To further clarify the role of RhoGDIα in the generation of NFTs, we explored the relationship between RhoGDIα and Tau. We found out that RhoGDIα and Tau can bind with each other and interact by using coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and GST pulldown methods in vitro. This RhoGDIα-Tau partnership was further verified by using immunofluorescence colocalization and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approaches in PC12 cells. Using the RNA interference (RNAi) technique, we found that the RhoGDIα may be involved in an upstream signaling pathway for Tau. Subsequently, in Aβ25-35- and H/R-induced PC12 cells, forced expression of RhoGDIα via cDNA plasmid transfection was found to reduce the hyperphosphorylation of Tau, augment the expression of bcl-2 protein, and inhibit the expression of Bax protein (reducing the Bax/bcl-2 ratio) and the activity of caspase-3. In mouse AD and VaD models, forced expression of RhoGDIα via injection of a viral vector (pAAV-EGFP-RhoGDIα) into the lateral ventricle of the brain alleviated the pathological symptoms of AD and VaD. Finally, GST pulldown confirmed that the binding sites on RhoGDIα for Tau were located in the range of the ΔC33 fragment (aa 1-33). These results indicate that RhoGDIα is involved in the phosphorylation of Tau and apoptosis in AD and VaD. Overexpression of RhoGDIα can inhibit the generation of NFTs and delay the progress of these two types of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heping Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Fan Lu
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Panhong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Zhaohui Qiu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, ShenZhen, 518033, China
| | - Jianling Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yandong Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pathology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Xuemin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Huadong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Daxiang Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Renbin Qi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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Wong TS, Li G, Li S, Gao W, Chen G, Gan S, Zhang M, Li H, Wu S, Du Y. G protein-coupled receptors in neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:177. [PMID: 37137892 PMCID: PMC10154768 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01427-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders are multifactorial disorders with diverse aetiological factors. Identifying treatment targets is challenging because the diseases are resulting from heterogeneous biological, genetic, and environmental factors. Nevertheless, the increasing understanding of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) opens a new possibility in drug discovery. Harnessing our knowledge of molecular mechanisms and structural information of GPCRs will be advantageous for developing effective drugs. This review provides an overview of the role of GPCRs in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Besides, we highlight the emerging opportunities of novel GPCR targets and address recent progress in GPCR drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thian-Sze Wong
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 518172, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Guangzhi Li
- Institute of Urology, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiliang Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
- Innovation Center for AI and Drug Discovery, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 518172, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Innovation Center for AI and Drug Discovery, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Geng Chen
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 518172, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiyi Gan
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 518172, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Manzhan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
- Innovation Center for AI and Drug Discovery, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Honglin Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China.
- Innovation Center for AI and Drug Discovery, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China.
| | - Song Wu
- Institute of Urology, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, 518116, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yang Du
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 518172, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underly the Combined Treatment of Fasudil and Bone Marrow Derived-Neuronal Stem Cells in a Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:1826-1835. [PMID: 36580198 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bone marrow-derived neural stem cells (BM-NSCs) have shed light on novel therapeutic approaches for PD with the potential to halt or even reverse disease progression. Various strategies have been developed to promote therapeutic efficacy via optimizing implanted cells and the microenvironment of transplantation in the central nervous system (CNS). This current study further proved that the combination of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, and BM-NSCs exhibited a synergetic effect on restoring neuron loss in the MPTP-PD mice model. It simultaneously unveiled cellular mechanisms underlying synergistic neuron-protection effects of fasudil and BM-NSCs, which included promoting the proliferation, and migration of endogenous NSCs, and contributing to microglia shift into the M2 phenotype. Corresponding molecular mechanisms were observed, including the inhibition of inflammatory responses, the elevation of neurotrophic factors, and the induction of WNT/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Our study provides evidence for the co-intervention of BM-NSCs and fasudil as a promising therapeutic method with enhanced efficacy in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Ru Q, Wang Y, Zhou E, Chen L, Wu Y. The potential therapeutic roles of Rho GTPases in substance dependence. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1125277. [PMID: 37063367 PMCID: PMC10097952 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1125277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases family are considered to be molecular switches that regulate various cellular processes, including cytoskeleton remodeling, cell polarity, synaptic development and maintenance. Accumulating evidence shows that Rho GTPases are involved in neuronal development and brain diseases, including substance dependence. However, the functions of Rho GTPases in substance dependence are divergent and cerebral nuclei-dependent. Thereby, comprehensive integration of their roles and correlated mechanisms are urgently needed. In this review, the molecular functions and regulatory mechanisms of Rho GTPases and their regulators such as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) in substance dependence have been reviewed, and this is of great significance for understanding their spatiotemporal roles in addictions induced by different addictive substances and in different stages of substance dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lin Chen
- *Correspondence: Lin Chen, ; Yuxiang Wu,
| | - Yuxiang Wu
- *Correspondence: Lin Chen, ; Yuxiang Wu,
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Taha M, Eldemerdash OM, Elshaffei IM, Yousef EM, Soliman AS, Senousy MA. Apigenin Attenuates Hippocampal Microglial Activation and Restores Cognitive Function in Methotrexate-Treated Rats: Targeting the miR-15a/ROCK-1/ERK1/2 Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3770-3787. [PMID: 36943623 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03299-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Microglial activation underpins the methotrexate (MTX)-induced neurotoxicity; however, the precise mechanism remains unclear. This study appraised the potential impact of apigenin (Api), a neuroprotective flavonoid, in MTX-induced neurotoxicity in rats in terms of microglial activation through targeting the miR-15a/Rho-associated protein kinase-1 (ROCK-1)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Normal control (saline i.p. daily and i.v. on days 8 and 15); Api control (20 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 30 days; MTX-alone (75 mg/kg, i.v.) on days 8 and 15, then four i.p. injections of leucovorin (LCV): 6 mg/kg after 18 h, then three doses (3 mg/kg) every 8 h post-MTX; and Api co-treated (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) throughout the model for 30 days, with administration of MTX and LCV as in group 3. MTX administration elevated hippocampal ionized calcium-binding adaptor protein-1 (Iba-1) immunostaining, indicating microglial activation. This was accompanied by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and enhanced apoptosis manifested by elevated hippocampal interleukin-1β, malondialdehyde, and caspase-3, and decreased reduced glutathione levels. Concurrently, abated miR-15a expression, overexpression of its target ROCK-1, diminished downstream ERK1/2 and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, and decreased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were observed. Api mitigated the MTX-induced neurotoxicity by reversing the biochemical, histopathological, and behavioral derangements tested by novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests. Conclusively, Api lessens MTX-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and boosts cognitive function through inhibiting microglial activation via modulating the miR-15a/ROCK-1/ERK1/2/CREB/BDNF pathway. Graphical abstract showing the effects of methotrexate and apigenin co-treatment in MTX-induced neurotoxicity model. On the left, methotrexate (MTX) administration to rats resulted in hippocampal miR-15a downregulation, which triggered an enhanced expression of its target ROCK-1, consequently inhibiting the downstream ERK1/2/CREB/BDNF pathway, instigating a state of microglial activation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. On the other hand, apigenin (Api) co-treatment restored miR-15a, inhibited ROCK-1 expression, and activated the ERK1/2/CREB/BDNF pathway, leading to diminished hippocampal microglial activation, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis, and restoration of the redox balance, along with improvement in memory and cognitive function of the MTX-treated rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Taha
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Ainy st., Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Omar Mohsen Eldemerdash
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University (MIU), KM 28 Cairo, Ismailia Road, Cairo, 44971, Egypt
| | - Ismail Mohamed Elshaffei
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University (MIU), KM 28 Cairo, Ismailia Road, Cairo, 44971, Egypt
| | - Einas Mohamed Yousef
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Ayman S Soliman
- Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Ahmed Senousy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Ainy st., Cairo, 11562, Egypt
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Technology, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo, 11786, Egypt
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25
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Xie Y, Yue L, Shi Y, Su X, Gan C, Liu H, Xue T, Ye T. Application and Study of ROCK Inhibitors in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4342-4360. [PMID: 36940432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinases (ROCKs), serine/threonine protein kinases, were initially identified as downstream targets of the small GTP-binding protein Rho. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a lethal disease with limited therapeutic options and a particularly poor prognosis. Interestingly, ROCK activation has been demonstrated in PF patients and in animal PF models, making it a promising target for PF treatment. Many ROCK inhibitors have been discovered, and four of these have been approved for clinical use; however, no ROCK inhibitors are approved for the treatment of PF patients. In this article, we describe ROCK signaling pathways and the structure-activity relationship, potency, selectivity, binding modes, pharmacokinetics (PKs), biological functions, and recently reported inhibitors of ROCKs in the context of PF. We will also focus our attention on the challenges to be addressed when targeting ROCKs and discuss the strategy of ROCK inhibitor use in the treatment of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Xie
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lin Yue
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yaojie Shi
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xingping Su
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Cailing Gan
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hongyao Liu
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Taixiong Xue
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tinghong Ye
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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A focus on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway: An emerging therapeutic target in depression. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 946:175648. [PMID: 36894049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Depression is the most common mental health disorder worldwide; however, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of this major depressive disorder are unclear so far. Experimental studies have demonstrated that depression is associated with significant cognitive impairment, dendrite spine loss, and reduction in connectivity among neurons that contribute to symptoms associated with mood disorders. Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) receptors are exclusively expressed in the brain and Rho/ROCK signaling has gained considerable attention as it plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal architecture and structural plasticity. Chronic stress-induced activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway promotes neuronal apoptosis and loss of neural processes and synapses. Interestingly, accumulated evidence has identified Rho/ROCK signaling pathways as a putative target for treating neurological disorders. Furthermore, inhibition of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway has proven to be effective in different models of depression, which signify the potential benefits of clinical Rho/ROCK inhibition. The ROCK inhibitors extensively modulate antidepressant-related pathways which significantly control the synthesis of proteins, and neuron survival and ultimately led to the enhancement of synaptogenesis, connectivity, and improvement in behavior. Therefore, the present review refines the prevailing contribution of this signaling pathway in depression and highlighted preclinical shreds of evidence for employing ROCK inhibitors as disease-modifying targets along with possible underlying mechanisms in stress-associated depression.
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You Y, Zhu K, Wang J, Liang Q, Li W, Wang L, Guo B, Zhou J, Feng X, Shi J. ROCK inhibitor: Focus on recent updates. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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28
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Adulla A, Patel U, Ashok A, Katiyar P, Kaulakis M, Kritikos AE, Pillai S, Lee H, Lindner E, Rhee DJ, Singh N. α-Synuclein modulates fibronectin expression in the trabecular meshwork independent of TGFβ2. Exp Eye Res 2023; 226:109351. [PMID: 36539052 PMCID: PMC10384565 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD), a neuromotor disorder with prominent visual symptoms. The underlying cause of motor dysfunction has been studied extensively, and is attributed to the death of dopaminergic neurons mediated in part by intracellular aggregation of α-Syn. The cause of visual symptoms, however, is less clear. Neuroretinal degeneration due to the presence of aggregated α-Syn has been reported, but the evidence is controversial. Other symptoms including those arising from primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) are believed to be the side-effects of medications prescribed for PD. Here, we explored the alternative hypothesis that dysfunction of α-Syn in the anterior eye alters the interaction between the actin cytoskeleton of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM), impairing their ability to respond to physiological changes in intraocular pressure (IOP). A similar dysfunction in neurons is responsible for impaired neuritogenesis, a characteristic feature of PD. Using cadaveric human and bovine TM tissue and primary human TM cells as models, we report two main observations: 1) α-Syn is expressed in human and bovine TM cells, and significant amounts of monomeric and oligomeric α-Syn are present in the AH, and 2) primary human TM cells and human and bovine TM tissue endocytose extracellular recombinant monomeric and oligomeric α-Syn via the prion protein (PrPC), and upregulate fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibrogenic proteins implicated in POAG. Transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2), a fibrogenic cytokine implicated in ∼50% cases of POAG, is also increased, and so is RhoA-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK-1). However, silencing of α-Syn in primary human TM cells reduces FN, α-SMA, and ROCK-1 in the absence or presence of over-expressed active TGFβ2, suggesting modulation of FN and ROCK-1 independent of, or upstream of TGFβ2. These observations suggest that extracellular α-Syn modulates ECM proteins in the TM independently or via PrPC by activating the RhoA-ROCK pathway. These observations reveal a novel function of α-Syn in the anterior eye, and offer new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Adulla
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Urvi Patel
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Ajay Ashok
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Priya Katiyar
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Mare Kaulakis
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Alexander E Kritikos
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Sachin Pillai
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - HyunPin Lee
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Ewald Lindner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Douglas J Rhee
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Neena Singh
- Departments of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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Key role of Rho GTPases in motor disorders associated with neurodevelopmental pathologies. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:118-126. [PMID: 35918397 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01702-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that Rho GTPases and molecules involved in their signaling pathways play a major role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Whole exome sequencing (WES) and de novo examination of mutations, including SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) in genes coding for the molecules of their signaling cascade, has allowed the recent discovery of dominant autosomic mutations and duplication or deletion of candidates in the field of neurodevelopmental diseases (NDD). Epidemiological studies show that the co-occurrence of several of these neurological pathologies may indeed be the rule. The regulators of Rho GTPases have often been considered for cognitive diseases such as intellectual disability (ID) and autism. But, in a remarkable way, mild to severe motor symptoms are now reported in autism and other cognitive NDD. Although a more abundant litterature reports the involvement of Rho GTPases and signaling partners in cognitive development, molecular investigations on their roles in central nervous system (CNS) development or degenerative CNS pathologies also reveal their role in embryonic and perinatal motor wiring through axon guidance and later in synaptic plasticity. Thus, Rho family small GTPases have been revealed to play a key role in brain functions including learning and memory but their precise role in motor development and associated symptoms in NDD has been poorly scoped so far, despite increasing clinical data highlighting the links between cognition and motor development. Indeed, early impairements in fine or gross motor performance is often an associated feature of NDDs, which then impact social communication, cognition, emotion, and behavior. We review here recent insights derived from clinical developmental neurobiology in the field of Rho GTPases and NDD (autism spectrum related disorder (ASD), ID, schizophrenia, hypotonia, spastic paraplegia, bipolar disorder and dyslexia), with a specific focus on genetic alterations affecting Rho GTPases that are involved in motor circuit development.
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Saeidi N, Goudarzvand H, Mohammadi H, Mardi A, Ghoreishizadeh S, Shomali N, Goudarzvand M. Dysregulation of miR-193a serves as a potential contributor to MS pathogenesis via affecting RhoA and Rock1. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 69:104468. [PMID: 36529069 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the central nervous system and demyelination of the myelin sheath. At present, microRNAs (miRNAs) are considered not only a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of diseases but also a new goal in gene therapy. This study aims to find a simple, non-invasive, valuable biomarker for early detection and potential treatment of MS. METHODS In the present study, 30 patients with MS were included. The qRT-PCR method was performed to evaluate the expression level of miR-193a, RhoA, and ROCK1. Besides, western blotting was performed to determine the expression level of RhoA and ROCK1 at protein levels. Moreover, we aimed to clarify the possible correlation between miR-193a-5p and its-regulated target genes so that miR-193a-5p mimic was transfected into MS-derived cultured PBMSs, and the expression level of RhoA and ROCK1 were then evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. In the final step, the correlation between miR-193a-5p and clinicopathological features of patients was investigated. RESULTS Results showed that miR-193a was decreased while RhoA and ROCK1 were up-regulated in PBMCs obtained from patients with MS compared to the control group. It was also revealed that miR-193a transfection reduced RhoA and ROCK1 expression at mRNA and protein levels. The results from the Chi-square analysis showed that down-regulation of miR-193a was associated with increased CRP level, CSF IgG positivity, and MSSS (Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score), suggesting miR-193a is a potential diagnostic and prognostic indicator. CONCLUSION We implied that miR-193a could modulate RhoA and ROCK 1 expression in MS patients, in which its down-regulation leads to increased expression of RhoA and ROCK1 and poor prognosis of patients with MS. Therefore, miR-193a and its associated targets could serve potential prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic efficacy in MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Saeidi
- DNA Laboratory, Analytical Laboratories, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Mardi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Shadi Ghoreishizadeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Goudarzvand
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
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31
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Wei C, Zhu Y, Li S, Chen W, Li C, Jiang S, Xu R. Identification of an immune-related gene prognostic index for predicting prognosis, immunotherapeutic efficacy, and candidate drugs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:993424. [PMID: 36589282 PMCID: PMC9798295 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.993424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale and objectives Considering the great insufficiency in the survival prediction and therapy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it is fundamental to determine an accurate survival prediction for both the clinical practices and the design of treatment trials. Therefore, there is a need for more accurate biomarkers that can be used to identify the subtype of ALS which carries a high risk of progression to guide further treatment. Methods The transcriptome profiles and clinical parameters of a total of 561 ALS patients in this study were analyzed retrospectively by analysis of four public microarray datasets. Based on the results from a series of analyses using bioinformatics and machine learning, immune signatures are able to be used to predict overall survival (OS) and immunotherapeutic response in ALS patients. Apart from other comprehensive analyses, the decision tree and the nomogram, based on the immune signatures, were applied to guide individual risk stratification. In addition, molecular docking methodology was employed to screen potential small molecular to which the immune signatures might response. Results Immune was determined as a major risk factor contributing to OS among various biomarkers of ALS patients. As compared with traditional clinical features, the immune-related gene prognostic index (IRGPI) had a significantly higher capacity for survival prediction. The determination of risk stratification and assessment was optimized by integrating the decision tree and the nomogram. Moreover, the IRGPI may be used to guide preventative immunotherapy for patients at high risks for mortality. The administration of 2MIU IL2 injection in the short-term was likely to be beneficial for the prolongment of survival time, whose dosage should be reduced to 1MIU if the long-term therapy was required. Besides, a useful clinical application for the IRGPI was to screen potential compounds by the structure-based molecular docking methodology. Conclusion Ultimately, the immune-derived signatures in ALS patients were favorable biomarkers for the prediction of survival probabilities and immunotherapeutic responses, and the promotion of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihui Wei
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wenzhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shishi Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,*Correspondence: Renshi Xu, ;
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Axonal Regeneration: Underlying Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Targets. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123186. [PMID: 36551942 PMCID: PMC9775075 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Axons in the peripheral nervous system have the ability to repair themselves after damage, whereas axons in the central nervous system are unable to do so. A common and important characteristic of damage to the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves is the disruption of axonal regrowth. Interestingly, intrinsic growth factors play a significant role in the axonal regeneration of injured nerves. Various factors such as proteomic profile, microtubule stability, ribosomal location, and signalling pathways mark a line between the central and peripheral axons' capacity for self-renewal. Unfortunately, glial scar development, myelin-associated inhibitor molecules, lack of neurotrophic factors, and inflammatory reactions are among the factors that restrict axonal regeneration. Molecular pathways such as cAMP, MAPK, JAK/STAT, ATF3/CREB, BMP/SMAD, AKT/mTORC1/p70S6K, PI3K/AKT, GSK-3β/CLASP, BDNF/Trk, Ras/ERK, integrin/FAK, RhoA/ROCK/LIMK, and POSTN/integrin are activated after nerve injury and are considered significant players in axonal regeneration. In addition to the aforementioned pathways, growth factors, microRNAs, and astrocytes are also commendable participants in regeneration. In this review, we discuss the detailed mechanism of each pathway along with key players that can be potentially valuable targets to help achieve quick axonal healing. We also identify the prospective targets that could help close knowledge gaps in the molecular pathways underlying regeneration and shed light on the creation of more powerful strategies to encourage axonal regeneration after nervous system injury.
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Cell Biology of Parkin: Clues to the Development of New Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:1249-1267. [PMID: 36378485 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00973-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and contributes significantly to morbidity globally. Currently, no disease-modifying therapies exist to combat this disorder. Insights from the molecular and cellular pathobiology of the disease seems to indicate promising therapeutic targets. The parkin protein has been extensively studied for its role in autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease and, more recently, its role in sporadic Parkinson's disease. Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a prominent role in mitochondrial quality control, mitochondrial-dependent cell death pathways, and other diverse functions. Understanding the numerous roles of parkin has introduced many new possibilities for therapeutic modalities in treating both autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease and sporadic Parkinson's disease. In this article, we review parkin biology with an emphasis on mitochondrial-related functions and propose novel, potentially disease-modifying therapeutic approaches for treating this debilitating condition.
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Naylor G, Julian L, Watson-Bryce S, Mullin M, Nibbs RJ, Olson MF. Immunogenic Death of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in Mice Expressing Caspase-Resistant ROCK1 Is Not Replicated by ROCK Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235943. [PMID: 36497425 PMCID: PMC9740421 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The morphological changes during apoptosis help facilitate "immunologically silent" cell death. Caspase cleavage of the ROCK1 kinase results in its activation, which drives the forceful contraction of apoptotic cells. We previously showed that when ROCK1 was mutated to render it caspase-resistant, there was greater liver damage and neutrophil recruitment after treatment with the hepatotoxin diethylnitrosamine (DEN). We now show that acute DEN-induced liver damage induced higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, indicative of immunogenic cell death (ICD), in mice expressing non-cleavable ROCK1 (ROCK1nc). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumours in ROCK1nc mice had more neutrophils and CD8+ T cells relative to mice expressing wild-type ROCK1, indicating that spontaneous tumour cell death also was more immunogenic. Since ICD induction has been proposed to be tumour-suppressive, the effects of two distinct ROCK inhibitors on HCC tumours was examined. Both fasudil and AT13148 significantly decreased tumour numbers, areas and volumes, but neither resulted in greater numbers of neutrophils or CD8+ T cells to be recruited. In the context of acute DEN-induced liver damage, AT13148 inhibited the recruitment of dendritic, natural killer and CD8+ T cells to livers. These observations indicate that there is an important role for ROCK1 cleavage to limit immunogenic cell death, which was not replicated by systemic ROCK inhibitor administration. As a result, concomitant administration of ROCK inhibitors with cancer therapeutics would be unlikely to result in therapeutic benefit by inducing ICD to increase anti-tumour immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Naylor
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Linda Julian
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Steven Watson-Bryce
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Margaret Mullin
- Electron Microscopy Facility, School of Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Robert J. Nibbs
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, School of Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Michael F. Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 661 University Avenue Suite 1105, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Jiang J, Wang Y, Deng M. New developments and opportunities in drugs being trialed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from 2020 to 2022. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1054006. [PMID: 36518658 PMCID: PMC9742490 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1054006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. In the recent past, there have been just two drugs approved for treatment, riluzole and edaravone, which only prolong survival by a few months. However, there are many novel experimental drugs in development. In this review, we summarize 53 new drugs that have been evaluated in clinical trials from 2020 to 2022, which we have classified into eight mechanistic groups (anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-excitotoxicity, regulated integrated stress response, neurotrophic factors and neuroprotection, anti-aggregation, gene therapy and other). Six were tested in phase 1 studies, 31 were in phase 2 studies, three failed in phase 3 studies and stopped further development, and the remaining 13 drugs were being tested in phase 3 studies, including methylcobalamin, masitinib, MN-166, verdiperstat, memantine, AMX0035, trazodone, CNM-Au8, pridopidine, SLS-005, IONN363, tofersen, and reldesemtiv. Among them, five drugs, including methylcobalamin, masitinib, AMX0035, CNM-Au8, and tofersen, have shown potent therapeutic effects in clinical trials. Recently, AMX0035 has been the third medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of ALS after riluzole and edaravone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Min Deng
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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O'Brien JT, Chouliaras L, Sultana J, Taylor JP, Ballard C. RENEWAL: REpurposing study to find NEW compounds with Activity for Lewy body dementia-an international Delphi consensus. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:169. [PMID: 36369100 PMCID: PMC9650797 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug repositioning and repurposing has proved useful in identifying new treatments for many diseases, which can then rapidly be brought into clinical practice. Currently, there are few effective pharmacological treatments for Lewy body dementia (which includes both dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia) apart from cholinesterase inhibitors. We reviewed several promising compounds that might potentially be disease-modifying agents for Lewy body dementia and then undertook an International Delphi consensus study to prioritise compounds. We identified ambroxol as the top ranked agent for repurposing and identified a further six agents from the classes of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and angiotensin receptor blockers that were rated by the majority of our expert panel as justifying a clinical trial. It would now be timely to take forward all these compounds to Phase II or III clinical trials in Lewy body dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Leonidas Chouliaras
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Janet Sultana
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Clive Ballard
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Zhang Y, Miao L, Peng Q, Fan X, Song W, Yang B, Zhang P, Liu G, Liu J. Parthenolide modulates cerebral ischemia-induced microglial polarization and alleviates neuroinflammatory injury via the RhoA/ROCK pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 105:154373. [PMID: 35947899 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microglia can be activated as proinflammatory (M1) phenotypes and anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes after stroke. Parthenolide (PTL) has anti-inflammatory and protective effects on neurological diseases, but until now, the exact mechanisms of these processes after stroke have been unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of PTL on microglial polarization after stroke and its target for inducing microglial polarization. METHODS Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and neurological evaluation were performed in a focal transient cerebral ischemia rat model. The human microglia exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used for in vitro experiments. Microglial polarization was assessed by RT-PCR and immunostaining. Inflammatory cytokine assays and western blotting were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying PTL-mediated microglial polarization in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS PTL significantly reduced cerebral infarction and neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia, reduced the level of inflammatory factors and alleviated neurological deficits. PTL treatment decreased the expression of microglia/macrophage markers in M1 macrophages and increased the expression of microglia/macrophage markers in M2 macrophages after stroke, which induced the transformation of microglia cells from the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, PTL significantly reduced RhoA/ROCK-NF-κB pathway activity and downregulated the effects of pentanoic acid (ROCK agonist). CONCLUSIONS PTL has been shown to mediate neuroinflammation and protect against ischemic brain injury by regulating microglial polarization via the RhoA/ROCK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehao Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Lan Miao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Qing Peng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Xiaodi Fan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Wenting Song
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Bin Yang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China
| | - Guangyu Liu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China.
| | - Jianxun Liu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing key Laboratory of pharmacology of Chinese Materia Region, Beijing 100091, PR China; NICM, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
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Mani S, Jindal D, Chopra H, Jha SK, Singh SK, Ashraf GM, Kamal M, Iqbal D, Chellappan DK, Dey A, Dewanjee S, Singh KK, Ojha S, Singh I, Gautam RK, Jha NK. ROCK2 Inhibition: A Futuristic Approach for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104871. [PMID: 36122738 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2022]
Abstract
Neurons depend on mitochondrial functions for membrane excitability, neurotransmission, and plasticity.Mitochondrialdynamicsare important for neural cell maintenance. To maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, lysosomes remove dysfunctionalmitochondria through mitophagy. Mitophagy promotes mitochondrial turnover and prevents the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria. In many neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), mitophagy is disrupted in neurons.Mitophagy is regulated by several proteins; recently,Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) has been suggested to negatively regulate the Parkin-dependent mitophagy pathway.Thus, ROCK2inhibitionmay bea promising therapyfor NDDs. This review summarizesthe mitophagy pathway, the role of ROCK2in Parkin-dependentmitophagyregulation,and mitophagy impairment in the pathology of AD. We further discuss different ROCK inhibitors (synthetic drugs, natural compounds,and genetherapy-based approaches)and examine their effects on triggering neuronal growth and neuroprotection in AD and other NDDs. This comprehensive overview of the role of ROCK in mitophagy inhibition provides a possible explanation for the significance of ROCK inhibitors in the therapeutic management of AD and other NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Mani
- Centre for Emerging Disease, Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, UP, India.
| | - Divya Jindal
- Centre for Emerging Disease, Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, UP, India
| | - Hitesh Chopra
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | | | - Mehnaz Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Danish Iqbal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Keshav K Singh
- Department of Genetics, UAB School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Inderbir Singh
- MM School of Pharmacy, MM University, Sadopur-Ambala -134007, India
| | - Rupesh K Gautam
- MM School of Pharmacy, MM University, Sadopur-Ambala -134007, India.
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India.
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Zhang Y, Wang X, Jiang C, Chen Z, Ni S, Fan H, Wang Z, Tian F, An J, Yang H, Hao D. Rho Kinase Inhibitor Y27632 Improves Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury by Shifting Astrocyte Phenotype and Morphology via the ROCK/NF-κB/C3 Pathway. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:3733-3744. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) usually results in loss or reduction in motor and sensory functions. Despite extensive research, no available therapy can restore the lost functions after SCI. Reactive astrocytes play a pivotal role in SCI. Rho kinase inhibitors have also been shown to promote functional recovery of SCI. However, the role of Rho kinase inhibitors in reactive astrocytic phenotype switch within SCI remains largely unexplored. In this study, astrocytes were treated with proinflammatory cytokines and/or the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632. Concomitantly the phenotype and morphology of astrocytes were examined. Meanwhile, the SCI model of SD rats was established, and nerve functions were evaluated following treatment with Y27632. Subsequently, the number of A1 astrocytes in the injured area was observed and analyzed. Eventually, the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), C3, and S100A10 were measured. The present study showed that the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 improved functional recovery of SCI and elevated the proliferation and migration abilities of the astrocytes. In addition, Y27632 treatment initiated the switch of astrocytes morphology from a flattened shape to a process-bearing shape and transformed the reactive astrocytes A1 phenotype to an A2 phenotype. More importantly, further investigation suggested that Y27632 was actively involved in promoting the functional recovery of SCI in rats by inhabiting the ROCK/NF-κB/C3 signaling pathway. Together, Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 effectively promotes the functional recovery of SCI by shifting astrocyte phenotype and morphology. Furthermore, the pro-regeneration event is strongly associated with the ROCK/NF-κB/C3 signal pathway.
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Antipsychotic-like effects of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, in a pharmacologic animal model of schizophrenia. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 931:175207. [PMID: 35987254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Current antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia have associated problems, including serious side effects and treatment resistance. We recently identified a significant association of schizophrenia with exonic copy number variations in the Rho GTPase activating protein 10 (ARHGAP10) gene using genome-wide analysis. ARHGAP10 encodes a RhoGAP superfamily member that is involved in small GTPase signaling. In mice, Arhgap10 gene variations result in RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway activation. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of fasudil and hydroxyfasudil using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in mice. The antipsychotic effects of fasudil on hyperlocomotion, social interaction deficits, prepulse inhibition deficits, and novel object recognition deficits were also investigated in a MK-801-treated pharmacological mouse schizophrenia model. Fasudil and its major metabolite, hydroxyfasudil, were detected in the brain at concentrations above their respective Ki values for Rho-kinase after intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg kg-1 fasudil. Fasudil improved the hyperlocomotion, social interaction deficits, prepulse inhibition deficits, and novel object recognition deficits in MK-801-treated mice in a dose-dependent manner. Following oral administration of fasudil, brain hydroxyfasudil was detected at concentration above the Ki value for Rho-kinase whilst fasudil was undetectable. MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion was also improved by oral fasudil administration. These results suggest that fasudil has antipsychotic-like effects on the MK-801-treated pharmacological mouse schizophrenia model. There are two isoforms in Rho-kinase, and further investigation is needed to clarify the isoforms involved in the antipsychotic-like effects of fasudil in the MK-801-treated mouse schizophrenia model.
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Rodríguez-Trillo A, Pena C, García S, Pérez-Pampín E, Rodríguez-López M, Mera-Varela A, González A, Conde C. ROCK inhibition with Y-27632 reduces joint inflammation and damage in serum-induced arthritis model and decreases in vitro osteoclastogenesis in patients with early arthritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:858069. [PMID: 36032152 PMCID: PMC9410766 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.858069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory disease affecting primarily peripheral joints, which is only partially controlled with current treatments. RA leads to pain, disability, deformities, and life expectancy shortening. Its pathogenesis is complex involving multiple cell types and signaling pathways that we incompletely understand. One of the pathways we have elucidated starts with WNT5A signaling and contributes to the aggressive phenotype of the RA synoviocytes through RYK-RhoA/ROCK signaling. Now, we have explored the contribution of ROCK to arthritis in vivo, using the K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis model; and to osteoclastogenesis, using the arthritis model and cells from patients with inflammatory arthritis. The mice and cells were treated with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 that caused a significant improvement of arthritis and reduction of osteoclastogenesis. The improvement in mouse arthritis was observed in the clinical evaluation and, histologically, in synovial inflammation, cartilage damage, bone erosion, and the abundance of multinucleated TRAP+ cells. Expression of inflammatory mediators in the arthritic joints, as assessed by real-time PCR, was also significantly reduced. The effect on bone was confirmed with in vitro assays using bone marrow precursors of arthritic mice and peripheral blood monocytes of patients with inflammatory arthritis. These assays showed dramatically reduced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Overall, our findings suggest that ROCK inhibition could be part of a therapeutic strategy for RA by its dual action on inflammation and bone erosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Rodríguez-Trillo
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Pena
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Samuel García
- Laboratorio de Reumatología y Enfermedades Inmunomediadas (IRIDIS), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IIS Galicia Sur), Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Spain
| | - Eva Pérez-Pampín
- Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marina Rodríguez-López
- Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antonio Mera-Varela
- Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antonio González
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Conde
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- *Correspondence: Carmen Conde,
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Multitargeting the Action of 5-HT 6 Serotonin Receptor Ligands by Additional Modulation of Kinases in the Search for a New Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease: Can It Work from a Molecular Point of View? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158768. [PMID: 35955902 PMCID: PMC9368844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In view of the unsatisfactory treatment of cognitive disorders, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the aim of this review was to perform a computer-aided analysis of the state of the art that will help in the search for innovative polypharmacology-based therapeutic approaches to fight against AD. Apart from 20-year unrenewed cholinesterase- or NMDA-based AD therapy, the hope of effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease has been placed on serotonin 5-HT6 receptor (5-HT6R), due to its proven, both for agonists and antagonists, beneficial procognitive effects in animal models; however, research into this treatment has so far not been successfully translated to human patients. Recent lines of evidence strongly emphasize the role of kinases, in particular microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4), Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase I/II (ROCKI/II) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in the etiology of AD, pointing to the therapeutic potential of their inhibitors not only against the symptoms, but also the causes of this disease. Thus, finding a drug that acts simultaneously on both 5-HT6R and one of those kinases will provide a potential breakthrough in AD treatment. The pharmacophore- and docking-based comprehensive literature analysis performed herein serves to answer the question of whether the design of these kind of dual agents is possible, and the conclusions turned out to be highly promising.
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Wang J, Chen S, Pan C, Li G, Tang Z. Application of Small Molecules in the Central Nervous System Direct Neuronal Reprogramming. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:799152. [PMID: 35875485 PMCID: PMC9301571 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.799152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of regenerative capacity of neurons leads to poor prognoses for some neurological disorders. The use of small molecules to directly reprogram somatic cells into neurons provides a new therapeutic strategy for neurological diseases. In this review, the mechanisms of action of different small molecules, the approaches to screening small molecule cocktails, and the methods employed to detect their reprogramming efficiency are discussed, and the studies, focusing on neuronal reprogramming using small molecules in neurological disease models, are collected. Future research efforts are needed to investigate the in vivo mechanisms of small molecule-mediated neuronal reprogramming under pathophysiological states, optimize screening cocktails and dosing regimens, and identify safe and effective delivery routes to promote neural regeneration in different neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gaigai Li
- *Correspondence: Gaigai Li, ; Zhouping Tang,
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Gosset P, Camu W, Raoul C, Mezghrani A. Prionoids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac145. [PMID: 35783556 PMCID: PMC9242622 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the third most frequent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. ALS is characterized by the selective and progressive loss of motoneurons in the spinal cord, brainstem and cerebral cortex. Clinical manifestations typically occur in midlife and start with focal muscle weakness, followed by the rapid and progressive wasting of muscles and subsequent paralysis. As with other neurodegenerative diseases, the condition typically begins at an initial point and then spreads along neuroanatomical tracts. This feature of disease progression suggests the spreading of prion-like proteins called prionoids in the affected tissues, which is similar to the spread of prion observed in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Intensive research over the last decade has proposed the ALS-causing gene products Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1, TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa, and fused in sarcoma as very plausible prionoids contributing to the spread of the pathology. In this review, we will discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to the propagation of these prionoids in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Gosset
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - William Camu
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Cedric Raoul
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier 34095, France
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Cueto-Ureña C, Mocholí E, Escrivá-Fernández J, González-Granero S, Sánchez-Hernández S, Solana-Orts A, Ballester-Lurbe B, Benabdellah K, Guasch RM, García-Verdugo JM, Martín F, Coffer PJ, Pérez-Roger I, Poch E. Rnd3 Expression is Necessary to Maintain Mitochondrial Homeostasis but Dispensable for Autophagy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:834561. [PMID: 35832788 PMCID: PMC9271580 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.834561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved process that mediates the targeting and degradation of intracellular components to lysosomes, contributing to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and to obtaining energy, which ensures viability under stress conditions. Therefore, autophagy defects are common to different neurodegenerative disorders. Rnd3 belongs to the family of Rho GTPases, involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and important in the modulation of cellular processes such as migration and proliferation. Murine models have shown that Rnd3 is relevant for the correct development and function of the Central Nervous System and lack of its expression produces several motor alterations and neural development impairment. However, little is known about the molecular events through which Rnd3 produces these phenotypes. Interestingly we have observed that Rnd3 deficiency correlates with the appearance of autophagy impairment profiles and irregular mitochondria. In this work, we have explored the impact of Rnd3 loss of expression in mitochondrial function and autophagy, using a Rnd3 KO CRISPR cell model. Rnd3 deficient cells show no alterations in autophagy and mitochondria turnover is not impaired. However, Rnd3 KO cells have an altered mitochondria oxidative metabolism, resembling the effect caused by oxidative stress. In fact, lack of Rnd3 expression makes these cells strictly dependent on glycolysis to obtain energy. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Rnd3 is relevant to maintain mitochondria function, suggesting a possible relationship with neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cueto-Ureña
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Enric Mocholí
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Josep Escrivá-Fernández
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Susana González-Granero
- Laboratorio de Neurobiologia Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia and CIBER de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Valencia, Spain
| | - Sabina Sánchez-Hernández
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Amalia Solana-Orts
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Begoña Ballester-Lurbe
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Guasch
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiologia Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia and CIBER de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Martín
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Paul J. Coffer
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ignacio Pérez-Roger
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ignacio Pérez-Roger, ; Enric Poch,
| | - Enric Poch
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ignacio Pérez-Roger, ; Enric Poch,
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46
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RhoA Signaling in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091520. [PMID: 35563826 PMCID: PMC9103838 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) is a small GTPase of the Rho family involved in regulating multiple signal transduction pathways that influence a diverse range of cellular functions. RhoA and many of its downstream effector proteins are highly expressed in the nervous system, implying an important role for RhoA signaling in neurons and glial cells. Indeed, emerging evidence points toward a role of aberrant RhoA signaling in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of RhoA regulation and downstream cellular functions with an emphasis on the role of RhoA signaling in neurodegenerative diseases and the therapeutic potential of RhoA inhibition in neurodegeneration.
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Srikawnawan W, Songsaad A, Gonmanee T, Thonabulsombat C, Phruksaniyom C, White KL, Ruangsawasdi N. Rho kinase inhibitor induced human dental pulp stem cells to differentiate into neurons. Life Sci 2022; 300:120566. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Guo S, Wang H, Yin Y. Microglia Polarization From M1 to M2 in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:815347. [PMID: 35250543 PMCID: PMC8888930 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.815347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 110.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Microglia can be categorized into two opposite types: classical (M1) or alternative (M2), though there’s a continuum of different intermediate phenotypes between M1 and M2, and microglia can transit from one phenotype to another. M1 microglia release inflammatory mediators and induce inflammation and neurotoxicity, while M2 microglia release anti-inflammatory mediators and induce anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectivity. Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is considered as a double-edged sword, performing both harmful and helpful effects in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies showed that balancing microglia M1/M2 polarization had a promising therapeutic prospect in neurodegenerative diseases. We suggest that shifting microglia from M1 to M2 may be significant and we focus on the modulation of microglia polarization from M1 to M2, especially by important signal pathways, in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Modeling axonal regeneration by changing cytoskeletal dynamics in stem cell-derived motor nerve organoids. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2082. [PMID: 35136073 PMCID: PMC8827082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05645-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress triggers axon degeneration and cell death, leading to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Spinal motor nerves project very long axons, increasing the burden on axonal transport and metabolism. As such, spinal motor nerves are expected to be susceptible to oxidative stress, but model systems for visualizing and investigating acutely degenerating motor axons are limited. In this study, we establish motor nerve organoids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) with properties similar to those of neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), a population of progenitor cells that comprise the caudal spinal cord. Three-dimensional differentiation of organoids efficiently gave rise to mature motor neurons within 18 days. Adherent organoids showed robust axon fascicles and active growth cones under normal conditions. In addition, more homogenous and efficient generation of motor neurons were achieved when organoids were dissociated into individual cells. Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress resulted in a broad range of signs of axon degeneration including the disappearance of growth cones and neurites, axon retraction, axon fragmentation and bleb formation, and apoptotic cell death, whose severity can be reliably quantifiable in our culture system. Remarkably, cytoskeletal drugs modulating actin or microtubule turnover differentially facilitated axon dynamics and increased axon regenerative potential. Taken together, our motor nerve organoid model could be potentially useful for drug screens evaluating the rearrangement of cytoskeletons in regenerating motor axons.
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Iring A, Tóth A, Baranyi M, Otrokocsi L, Módis LV, Gölöncsér F, Varga B, Hortobágyi T, Bereczki D, Dénes Á, Sperlágh B. The dualistic role of the purinergic P2Y12-receptor in an in vivo model of Parkinson's disease: Signalling pathway and novel therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Res 2022; 176:106045. [PMID: 34968684 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition; characterized with the degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and neuroinflammation. During PD progression, microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) display altered activity, but their role in maintaining PD development has remained unclear to date. The purinergic P2Y12-receptor (P2Y12R), which is expressed on the microglia in the CNS has been shown to regulate microglial activity and responses; however, the function of the P2Y12R in PD is unknown. Here we show that MPTP-induced PD symptoms in mice are associated with marked neuroinflammatory changes and P2Y12R contribute to the activation of microglia and progression of the disease. Surprisingly, while pharmacological or genetic targeting of the P2Y12R augments acute mortality in MPTP-treated mice, these interventions protect against the neurodegenerative cell loss and the development of neuroinflammation in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of receptors during disease development reverses the symptoms of PD and halts disease progression. We found that P2Y12R regulates ROCK and p38 MAPK activity and control cytokine production. Our principal finding is that the receptor has a dualistic role in PD: functional P2Y12Rs are essential to initiate a protective inflammatory response, since the lack of the receptor leads to reduced survival; however, at later stages of neurodegeneration, P2Y12Rs are apparently responsible for maintaining the activated state of microglia and stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Understanding protective and detrimental P2Y12R-mediated actions in the CNS may reveal novel approaches to control neuroinflammation and modify disease progression in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Iring
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adrián Tóth
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University School of Ph.D. Studies, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Baranyi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Otrokocsi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László V Módis
- MTA-DE Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Flóra Gölöncsér
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Varga
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University School of Ph.D. Studies, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Hortobágyi
- MTA-DE Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary; Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; Centre for Age-Related Medicine, SESAM, Stavanger University Hospital, 4011 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Dániel Bereczki
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Dénes
- Momentum Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Sperlágh
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University School of Ph.D. Studies, 1085 Budapest, Hungary.
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