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Manca E, Noli B, Corda G, El-Hassani M, Manai A, Sanna F, Argiolas A, Melis MR, Manconi B, Contini C, Cocco C. VGF modifications related to nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by the pesticide fipronil in adult male rats. Ann Anat 2024; 252:152194. [PMID: 38056781 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dopamine is reduced in the brain of rats treated with fipronil, a broad-spectrum insecticide. VGF (no acronym) is a neurotrophin-inducible protein expressed as the 75 kDa form (precursor or pro-VGF) or its truncated peptides. VGF immunostaining has been revealed using an antibody against the C-terminal nonapeptide of the rat pro-VGF in the nerve terminals of the rat substantia nigra, where it was reduced after 6-hydroxydopamine treatment. It is unknown whether pro-VGF and/or its shortened peptides are present in these neurons. Therefore, the aim of this study was first to determine which types of VGF are expressed in the normal substantia nigra (and striatum) and then to determine VGF modulations and whether they occur in parallel with locomotor changes after fipronil injection. METHODS Rats were divided into two groups that received a unilateral intranigral infusion of either fipronil (25 µg) diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or DMSO alone, and then were tested for locomotor activity. An untreated group of rats (n=4) was used for identification of the VGF fragments using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot, while changes in treated groups (fipronil vs DMSO, each n=6) were investigated by immunohistochemistry using an antibody against the rat pro-VGF C-terminal nonapeptide in parallel with the anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibody. RESULTS In untreated rats, the VGF C-terminal antibody identified mostly a 75 kDa band in the substantia nigra and striatum, supporting the finding of high-resolution mass spectrometry, which revealed fragments covering the majority of the pro-VGF sequence. Furthermore, several shortened VGF C-terminal forms (varying from 10 to 55 kDa) were also found by western blot, while high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed a C-terminal peptide overlapping the immunogen used to create the VGF antibody in both substantia nigra and striatum. In the substantia nigra of fipronil-treated rats, immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase and VGF was reduced compared to DMSO-treated rat group, and this was related with significant changes in locomotor activity. CONCLUSION Fipronil has the ability to modulate the production of pro-VGF and/or its C-terminal truncated peptides in the nigrostriatal system indicating its intimate interaction with the dopaminergic neurotransmission and implying a potential function in modulating locomotor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Manca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Barbara Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giulia Corda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Majda El-Hassani
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Antonio Manai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Argiolas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Manconi
- Department of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cristina Contini
- Department of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cristina Cocco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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Cocco C, Manai AL, Manca E, Noli B. Brain-Biomarker Changes in Body Fluids of Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10932. [PMID: 37446110 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that is rarely diagnosed at an early stage. Although the understanding of PD-related mechanisms has greatly improved over the last decade, the diagnosis of PD is still based on neurological examination through the identification of motor symptoms, including bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and resting tremor. The early phase of PD is characterized by subtle symptoms with a misdiagnosis rate of approximately 16-20%. The difficulty in recognizing early PD has implications for the potential use of novel therapeutic approaches. For this reason, it is important to discover PD brain biomarkers that can indicate early dopaminergic dysfunction through their changes in body fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). For the CFS-based test, the invasiveness of sampling is a major limitation, whereas the other body fluids are easier to obtain and could also allow population screening. Following the identification of the crucial role of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the pathology of PD, a very large number of studies have summarized its changes in body fluids. However, methodological problems have led to the poor diagnostic/prognostic value of this protein and alternative biomarkers are currently being investigated. The aim of this paper is therefore to summarize studies on protein biomarkers that are alternatives to α-syn, particularly those that change in nigrostriatal areas and in biofluids, with a focus on blood, and, eventually, saliva and urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cocco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Antonio Luigi Manai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Elias Manca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Barbara Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
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Wang Y, Qin X, Han Y, Li B. VGF: A prospective biomarker and therapeutic target for neuroendocrine and nervous system disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113099. [PMID: 35594706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine regulatory polypeptide VGF (nerve growth factor inducible) was firstly found in the rapid induction of nerve growth factor on PC12 cells. It was selectively distributed in neurons and many neuroendocrine tissues. This paper reviewed the latest literatures on the gene structure, transcriptional regulation, protein processing, distribution and potential receptors of VGF. The neuroendocrine roles of VGF and its derived polypeptides in regulating energy, water electrolyte balance, circadian rhythm and reproductive activities were also summarized. Furthermore, based on the experimental evidence in vivo and in vitro, dysregulation of VGF in different neuroendocrine diseases and the possible mechanism mediated by VGF polypeptides were discussed. We next discussed the potential as the clinical diagnosis and therapy for VGF related diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China; Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Qin
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Yun Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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Benchoula K, Parhar IS, Hwa WE. The molecular mechanism of vgf in appetite, lipids, and insulin regulation. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105855. [PMID: 34461221 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is an indication of an imbalance between energy expenditure and food intake. It is a complicated disease of epidemic proportions as it involves many factors and organs. Sedentary lifestyles and overeating have caused a substantial rise in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Thus, the discovery of successful and sustainable therapies for these chronic illnesses is critical. However, the mechanisms of obesity and diabetes and the crosstalk between these diseases are still ambiguous. Numerous studies are being done to study these mechanisms, with updates made frequently. VGF peptide and its derivatives are anticipated to have a role in the development of obesity and diabetes. However, contradictory studies have produced conflicting findings on the function of VGF. Therefore, in this review, we attempt to clarify and explain the role of VGF peptides in the brain, pancreas, and adipose tissue in the development of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Benchoula
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Monash University (Malaysia), BRIMS, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wong Eng Hwa
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Corda G, Noli B, Manconi B, Brancia C, Pellegrini M, Naro F, Olianas A, Ferri GL, Cocco C. TLQP-21 changes in response to a glucose load. Tissue Cell 2020; 68:101471. [PMID: 33348234 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2020.101471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TLQP-21 peptide potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, hence we investigated its endogenous response to glucose. METHODS Fasted mice received intraperitoneal glucose (3 g/kg), or saline (controls), and were sacrificed 30 and 120 min later (4 groups, n = 6/group). We investigated TLQP-21 in pancreas and plasma using immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as well as TLQP-21 receptors (gC1q-R and C3a-R1) expression in pancreas by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In pancreas, TLQP-immunoreactivity (TLQP-ir.) was shown in insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-containing cells. Upon glucose, TLQP-ir. decreased at 30 min (∼40 % vs. controls), while returning to basal values at 120 min. In all groups, C3a-R1 was localized in ∼50 % of TLQP labelled islet cells (mostly central), while gC1q-R was detected in ∼25 % of TLQP cells (mainly peripheral). HPLC fractions of control pancreas extracts, assessed by ELISA, confirmed the presence of a TLQP-21 compatible-form (∼2.5 kDa MW). In plasma, TLQP-ir. increased at 30 min (∼30 %), with highest concentrations at 120 min (both: p<0.05 vs. controls), while HPLC fractions showed an increase in the TLQP-21 compatible form. CONCLUSIONS Upon hyperglycaemia, TLQP-21 would be released from islets, to enhance insulin secretion but we cannot exclude an autocrine activity which may regulate insulin storage/secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Corda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
| | - Barbara Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Barbara Manconi
- Department of Life and Enviromental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Carla Brancia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Manuela Pellegrini
- Department of Anatomical, Istological and Legal Medicine Sciences of the locomotor apparatus, University of "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy
| | - Fabio Naro
- Department of Anatomical, Istological and Legal Medicine Sciences of the locomotor apparatus, University of "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Olianas
- Department of Life and Enviromental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Gian-Luca Ferri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Cristina Cocco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
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