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Balistreri CR, Di Giorgi L, Monastero R. Focus of endothelial glycocalyx dysfunction in ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease: Possible intervention strategies. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102362. [PMID: 38830545 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102362] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The integrity of the endothelial glycocalyx (eGCX), a mixture of carbohydrates attached to proteins expressed on the surface of blood vessel endothelial cells (EC), is critical for the maintenance of homeostasis of the cardiovascular system and all systems of the human body, the endothelium being the critical component of the stroma of all tissues. Consequently, dysfunction of eGCX results in a dysfunctional cardiovascular wall and severe downstream cardiovascular events, which contribute to the onset of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as other age-related diseases (ARDs). The key role of eGCX dysfunction in the onset of ARDs is examined here, with a focus on the most prevalent neurological diseases: ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the advantages and limitations of some treatment strategies for anti-eGCX dysfunction are described, ranging from experimental drug therapies, which need to be better tested and explored not only in animal models but also in humans, as well as reprogramming, the use of nutraceuticals, which are emerging as regenerative and new approaches. The promotion of these strategies is essential to keep eGCX and endothelium healthy, as is the development of intravital (e.g., intravascular) tools to estimate eGCX health status and treatment efficacy, which could lead to advanced solutions to address ARDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo 90134, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Giorgi
- Memory and Parkinson's disease Center Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, and Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Roberto Monastero
- Memory and Parkinson's disease Center Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, and Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, Palermo 90129, Italy.
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Balistreri CR, Monastero R. Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases: How Much Do We Still Not Know? Brain Sci 2023; 14:19. [PMID: 38248234 PMCID: PMC10812964 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010019] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The term "neuroinflammation" defines the typical inflammatory response of the brain closely related to the onset of many neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Neuroinflammation is well known, but its mechanisms and pathways are not entirely comprehended. Some progresses have been achieved through many efforts and research. Consequently, new cellular and molecular mechanisms, diverse and conventional, are emerging. In listing some of those that will be the subject of our description and discussion, essential are the important roles of peripheral and infiltrated monocytes and clonotypic cells, alterations in the gut-brain axis, dysregulation of the apelinergic system, alterations in the endothelial glycocalyx of the endothelial component of neuronal vascular units, variations in expression of some genes and levels of the encoding molecules by the action of microRNAs (miRNAs), or other epigenetic factors and distinctive transcriptional factors, as well as the role of autophagy, ferroptosis, sex differences, and modifications in the circadian cycle. Such mechanisms can add significantly to understanding the complex etiological puzzle of neuroinflammation and ND. In addition, they could represent biomarkers and targets of ND, which is increasing in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular and Molecular Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Monastero
- Unit of Neurology & Neuro-Physiopathology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy;
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Pepe G, Fioriniello S, Marracino F, Capocci L, Maglione V, D'Esposito M, Di Pardo A, Della Ragione F. Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity Is Perturbed in a Mecp2-Null Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040606. [PMID: 37189354 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT, online MIM 312750) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and cognitive disabilities. It is mainly caused by pathogenetic variants in the X-linked MECP2 gene, encoding an epigenetic factor crucial for brain functioning. Despite intensive studies, the RTT pathogenetic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Impaired vascular function has been previously reported in RTT mouse models; however, whether an altered brain vascular homeostasis and the subsequent blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown occur in RTT and contribute to the disease-related cognitive impairment is still unknown. Interestingly, in symptomatic Mecp2-null (Mecp2-/y, Mecp2tm1.1Bird) mice, we found enhanced BBB permeability associated with an aberrant expression of the tight junction proteins Ocln and Cldn-5 in different brain areas, in terms of both transcript and protein levels. Additionally, Mecp2-null mice showed an altered expression of different genes encoding factors with a role in the BBB structure and function, such as Cldn3, Cldn12, Mpdz, Jam2, and Aqp4. With this study, we provide the first evidence of impaired BBB integrity in RTT and highlight a potential new molecular hallmark of the disease that might open new perspectives for the setting-up of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salvatore Fioriniello
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maurizio D'Esposito
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Floriana Della Ragione
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Schirò G, Iacono S, Ragonese P, Aridon P, Salemi G, Balistreri CR. A Brief Overview on BDNF-Trk Pathway in the Nervous System: A Potential Biomarker or Possible Target in Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis? Front Neurol 2022; 13:917527. [PMID: 35911894 PMCID: PMC9332890 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.917527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing incidence of neurodegenerative disorders in our populations is leading the research to identify potential biomarkers and targets for facilitating their early management and treatments. Biomarkers represent the crucial indicators of both physiological and pathological processes. Specific changes in molecular and cellular mechanisms of physiological processes result in biochemical alterations at systemic level, which can give us comprehensive information regarding the nature of any disease. In addition, any disease biomarker should be specific and reliable, able to consent of distinguishing the physiological condition of a tissue, organ, or system from disease, and be diverse among the various diseases, or subgroups or phenotypes of them. Accordingly, biomarkers can predict chances for diseases, facilitate their early diagnosis, and set guidelines for the development of new therapies for treating diseases and disease-making process. Here, we focus our attention on brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF)–tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) pathway, describing its multiple roles in the maintenance of central nervous system (CNS) health, as well as its implication in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, we also evidence the features of such pathway, which make of it a potential MS biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Schirò
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Ragonese
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Paolo Ragonese
| | - Paolo Aridon
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Salemi
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Giuseppe Salemi
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular and Molecular Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Carmela Rita Balistreri ; orcid.org/0000-0002-5393-1007
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Baker J, Schott J. AD and its comorbidities: An obstacle to develop a clinically efficient treatment? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:450-459. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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