1
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Shatunova S, Aktar R, Peiris M, Lee JYP, Vetter I, Starobova H. The role of the gut microbiome in neuroinflammation and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 979:176818. [PMID: 39029779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176818] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most debilitating adverse effects caused by chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel, oxaliplatin and vincristine. It is untreatable and often leads to the discontinuation of cancer therapy and a decrease in the quality of life of cancer patients. It is well-established that neuroinflammation and the activation of immune and glial cells are among the major drivers of CIPN. However, these processes are still poorly understood, and while many chemotherapy drugs alone can drive the activation of these cells and consequent neuroinflammation, it remains elusive to what extent the gut microbiome influences these processes. In this review, we focus on the peripheral mechanisms driving CIPN, and we address the bidirectional pathways by which the gut microbiome communicates with the immune and nervous systems. Additionally, we critically evaluate literature addressing how chemotherapy-induced dysbiosis and the consequent imbalance in bacterial products may contribute to the activation of immune and glial cells, both of which drive neuroinflammation and possibly CIPN development, and how we could use this knowledge for the development of effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Shatunova
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Rubina Aktar
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Madusha Peiris
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Yu Peppermint Lee
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; The School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woollsiana, QLD, Australia
| | - Hana Starobova
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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2
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Lee I, Nandakumar R, Haeusler RA. Alteration of serum bile acids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lipids 2024; 59:85-91. [PMID: 38320749 PMCID: PMC11226384 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12390] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Hydrophilic endogenous bile acids ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), and glucourosodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) have suggested neuroprotective effects. We performed a case-control study to examine the association between ALS diagnosis and serum levels of bile acids. Sporadic and familial ALS patients, age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and presymptomatic gene carriers who donated blood samples were included. Non-fasted serum samples stored at -80°C were used for the analysis. Serum bile acid levels were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Concentrations of 15 bile acids were obtained, 5 non-conjugated and 10 conjugated, and compared between ALS versus control groups (presymptomatic gene carriers + healthy controls) using the Wilcoxon-Rank-Sum test. In total, 80 participants were included: 31 ALS (17 sporadic and 14 familial ALS); 49 controls (22 gene carriers, 27 healthy controls). The mean age was 50 years old and 50% were male. In the ALS group, 45% had familial disease with a pathogenic variant in C9orf72 (29%), TARDBP (10%), FUS (3%), and CHCHD10 (3%) genes. In the control group, 43% carried pathogenic variants: C9orf72 (27%), SOD1 (10%), and FUS (6%). The serum levels of UDCA, TUDCA, and GUDCA trended higher in the ALS group compared to controls (median 27 vs. 7 nM, 4 vs. 3 nM, 110 vs. 47 nM, p-values 0.04, 0.06, 0.04, respectively). No significant group differences were found in other bile acids serum levels. In conclusion, the serum level of UDCA, TUDCA, GUDCA trended higher in ALS patients compared to controls, and no evidence of deficiencies was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikjae Lee
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Renu Nandakumar
- Biomarkers Core Laboratory, Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Rebecca A. Haeusler
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology and Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
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3
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Tsekrekou M, Giannakou M, Papanikolopoulou K, Skretas G. Protein aggregation and therapeutic strategies in SOD1- and TDP-43- linked ALS. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1383453. [PMID: 38855322 PMCID: PMC11157337 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1383453] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with severe socio-economic impact. A hallmark of ALS pathology is the presence of aberrant cytoplasmic inclusions composed of misfolded and aggregated proteins, including both wild-type and mutant forms. This review highlights the critical role of misfolded protein species in ALS pathogenesis, particularly focusing on Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these misfolded proteins directly. Despite significant advancements in understanding ALS mechanisms, the disease remains incurable, with current treatments offering limited clinical benefits. Through a comprehensive analysis, the review focuses on the direct modulation of the misfolded proteins and presents recent discoveries in small molecules and peptides that inhibit SOD1 and TDP-43 aggregation, underscoring their potential as effective treatments to modify disease progression and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsekrekou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Giannakou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Papanikolopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
- Institute for Bio-innovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
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4
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Song H, Liu J, Wang L, Hu X, Li J, Zhu L, Pang R, Zhang A. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid: a bile acid that may be used for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1348844. [PMID: 38440398 PMCID: PMC10909943 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1348844] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease that has become one of the main factors affecting human health. It has serious impacts on individuals, families, and society. With the development of population aging, the incidence of AD will further increase worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that many physiological metabolic processes, such as lipid metabolism, are implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Bile acids, as the main undertakers of lipid metabolism, play an important role in the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, an endogenous bile acid, has been proven to possess therapeutic effects in different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. This review tries to find the relationship between bile acid metabolism and AD, as well as explore the therapeutic potential of bile acid taurocursodeoxycholic acid for this disease. The potential mechanisms of taurocursodeoxycholic acid may include reducing the deposition of Amyloid-β protein, regulating apoptotic pathways, preventing tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation, protecting neuronal synapses, exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties, and improving metabolic disorders. The objective of this study is to shed light on the use of tauroursodeoxycholic acid preparations in the prevention and treatment of AD, with the aim of identifying effective treatment targets and clarifying various treatment mechanisms involved in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghu Song
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiancheng Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Linjie Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiayu Li
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhu
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Rizhao Pang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Anren Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Loh JS, Mak WQ, Tan LKS, Ng CX, Chan HH, Yeow SH, Foo JB, Ong YS, How CW, Khaw KY. Microbiota-gut-brain axis and its therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:37. [PMID: 38360862 PMCID: PMC10869798 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01743-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal tract is populated with a diverse microbial community. The vast genetic and metabolic potential of the gut microbiome underpins its ubiquity in nearly every aspect of human biology, including health maintenance, development, aging, and disease. The advent of new sequencing technologies and culture-independent methods has allowed researchers to move beyond correlative studies toward mechanistic explorations to shed light on microbiome-host interactions. Evidence has unveiled the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system, referred to as the "microbiota-gut-brain axis". The microbiota-gut-brain axis represents an important regulator of glial functions, making it an actionable target to ameliorate the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases. As the gut microbiome provides essential cues to microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, we examine the communications between gut microbiota and these glial cells during healthy states and neurodegenerative diseases. Subsequently, we discuss the mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases using a metabolite-centric approach, while also examining the role of gut microbiota-related neurotransmitters and gut hormones. Next, we examine the potential of targeting the intestinal barrier, blood-brain barrier, meninges, and peripheral immune system to counteract glial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. Finally, we conclude by assessing the pre-clinical and clinical evidence of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation in neurodegenerative diseases. A thorough comprehension of the microbiota-gut-brain axis will foster the development of effective therapeutic interventions for the management of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sheng Loh
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wen Qi Mak
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Li Kar Stella Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Digital Health & Medical Advancements, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chu Xin Ng
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hong Hao Chan
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shiau Hueh Yeow
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Jhi Biau Foo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Digital Health & Medical Advancements, Taylor's University, 1, Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yong Sze Ong
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chee Wun How
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Kooi Yeong Khaw
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
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6
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Watts ME, Giadone RM, Ordureau A, Holton KM, Harper JW, Rubin LL. Analyzing the ER stress response in ALS patient derived motor neurons identifies druggable neuroprotective targets. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1327361. [PMID: 38314348 PMCID: PMC10834640 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1327361] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron (MN) disease with severely limited treatment options. Identification of effective treatments has been limited in part by the lack of predictive animal models for complex human disorders. Here, we utilized pharmacologic ER stressors to exacerbate underlying sensitivities conferred by ALS patient genetics in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs). In doing so, we found that thapsigargin and tunicamycin exposure recapitulated ALS-associated degeneration, and that we could rescue this degeneration via MAP4K4 inhibition (MAP4K4i). We subsequently identified mechanisms underlying MAP4K4i-mediated protection by performing phosphoproteomics on iPSC-derived MNs treated with ER stressors ±MAP4K4i. Through these analyses, we found JNK, PKC, and BRAF to be differentially modulated in MAP4K4i-protected MNs, and that inhibitors to these proteins could also rescue MN toxicity. Collectively, this study highlights the value of utilizing ER stressors in ALS patient MNs to identify novel druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E. Watts
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Richard M. Giadone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Alban Ordureau
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kristina M. Holton
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - J. Wade Harper
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lee L. Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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7
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Liu ML, Ma S, Tai W, Zhong X, Ni H, Zou Y, Wang J, Zhang CL. Screens in aging-relevant human ALS-motor neurons identify MAP4Ks as therapeutic targets for the disease. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:4. [PMID: 38177100 PMCID: PMC10766628 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06395-7] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Effective therapeutics is much needed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting motor neurons. By screening chemical compounds in human patient-derived and aging-relevant motor neurons, we identify a neuroprotective compound and show that MAP4Ks may serve as therapeutic targets for treating ALS. The lead compound broadly improves survival and function of motor neurons directly converted from human ALS patients. Mechanistically, it works as an inhibitor of MAP4Ks, regulates the MAP4Ks-HDAC6-TUBA4A-RANGAP1 pathway, and normalizes subcellular distribution of RANGAP1 and TDP-43. Finally, in an ALS mouse model we show that inhibiting MAP4Ks preserves motor neurons and significantly extends animal lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lu Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Shuaipeng Ma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Wenjiao Tai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xiaoling Zhong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Haoqi Ni
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Yuhua Zou
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jingcheng Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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8
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Lo Giudice M, Cocco A, Reggiardo G, Lalli S, Albanese A. Tauro-Urso-Deoxycholic Acid Trials in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: What is Achieved and What to Expect. Clin Drug Investig 2023; 43:893-903. [PMID: 37973672 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-023-01324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Phase II studies on tauro-urso-deoxycholic acid (TUDCA) raised the promise of safety and efficacy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a currently incurable and devastating disease. We review the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of TUDCA, administered alone or in combination, by analyzing and comparing published and ongoing studies on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Two independent phase II studies (using TUDCA solo or combined with sodium phenylbutyrate) showed similar efficacy in slowing disease progression measured by functional scales. One open-label follow-up TUDCA+sodium phenylbutyrate study suggested a benefit on survival. Two subsequent phase III studies with TUDCA (solo or combined with sodium phenylbutyrate) have been initiated and are currently ongoing. Their completion is expected by the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024. Evidence collected by phase II studies indicates that there are no safety concerns in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The efficacy shown in phase II studies was considered sufficient to grant approval in some countries but not in others, owing to discrepant views on the strength of evidence. It will be necessary to wait for the results of ongoing phase III studies to attain a full appreciation of these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lo Giudice
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Antoniangela Cocco
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Reggiardo
- Department of Biostatistics, Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche (CVBF), Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Lalli
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Albanese
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy.
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9
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Elmansy MF, Reidl CT, Rahaman M, Özdinler PH, Silverman RB. Small molecules targeting different cellular pathologies for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2260-2302. [PMID: 37243319 PMCID: PMC10592673 DOI: 10.1002/med.21974] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease in which the motor neuron circuitry displays progressive degeneration, affecting mostly the motor neurons in the brain and in the spinal cord. There are no effective cures, albeit three drugs, riluzole, edaravone, and AMX0035 (a combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol), have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, with limited improvement in patients. There is an urgent need to build better and more effective treatment strategies for ALS. Since the disease is very heterogenous, numerous approaches have been explored, such as targeting genetic mutations, decreasing oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, enhancing mitochondrial function and protein degradation mechanisms, and inhibiting neuroinflammation. In addition, various chemical libraries or previously identified drugs have been screened for potential repurposing in the treatment of ALS. Here, we review previous drug discovery efforts targeting a variety of cellular pathologies that occur from genetic mutations that cause ALS, such as mutations in SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDP-43 genes. These mutations result in protein aggregation, which causes neuronal degeneration. Compounds used to target cellular pathologies that stem from these mutations are discussed and comparisons among different preclinical models are presented. Because the drug discovery landscape for ALS and other motor neuron diseases is changing rapidly, we also offer recommendations for a novel, more effective, direction in ALS drug discovery that could accelerate translation of effective compounds from animals to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. Elmansy
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Organometallic and Organometalloid Chemistry, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Cory T. Reidl
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Mizzanoor Rahaman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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10
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Tsioras K, Smith KC, Edassery SL, Garjani M, Li Y, Williams C, McKenna ED, Guo W, Wilen AP, Hark TJ, Marklund SL, Ostrow LW, Gilthorpe JD, Ichida JK, Kalb RG, Savas JN, Kiskinis E. Analysis of proteome-wide degradation dynamics in ALS SOD1 iPSC-derived patient neurons reveals disrupted VCP homeostasis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113160. [PMID: 37776851 PMCID: PMC10785776 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in SOD1 cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through gain-of-function effects, yet the mechanisms by which misfolded mutant SOD1 (mutSOD1) protein impairs human motor neurons (MNs) remain unclear. Here, we use induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived MNs coupled to metabolic stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry to investigate proteome-wide degradation dynamics. We find several proteins, including the ALS-causal valosin-containing protein (VCP), which predominantly acts in proteasome degradation and autophagy, that degrade slower in mutSOD1 relative to isogenic control MNs. The interactome of VCP is altered in mutSOD1 MNs in vitro, while VCP selectively accumulates in the affected motor cortex of ALS-SOD1 patients. Overexpression of VCP rescues mutSOD1 toxicity in MNs in vitro and in a C. elegans model in vivo, in part due to its ability to modulate the degradation of insoluble mutSOD1. Our results demonstrate that VCP contributes to mutSOD1-dependent degeneration, link two distinct ALS-causal genes, and highlight selective protein degradation impairment in ALS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsioras
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kevin C Smith
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Seby L Edassery
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mehraveh Garjani
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yichen Li
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Chloe Williams
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth D McKenna
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Wenxuan Guo
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Anika P Wilen
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Timothy J Hark
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Stefan L Marklund
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lyle W Ostrow
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Robert G Kalb
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Savas
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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11
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Ludolph A, Dupuis L, Kasarskis E, Steyn F, Ngo S, McDermott C. Nutritional and metabolic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:511-524. [PMID: 37500993 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00845-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is classically thought to impact the motor system. Over the past 20 years, research has started to consider the contribution of non-motor symptoms and features of the disease, and how they might affect ALS prognosis. Of the non-motor features of the disease, nutritional status (for example, malnutrition) and metabolic balance (for example, weight loss and hypermetabolism) have been consistently shown to contribute to more rapid disease progression and/or earlier death. Several complex cellular changes observed in ALS, including mitochondrial dysfunction, are also starting to be shown to contribute to bioenergetic failure. The resulting energy depletion in high energy demanding neurons makes them sensitive to apoptosis. Given that nutritional and metabolic stressors at the whole-body and cellular level can impact the capacity to maintain optimal function, these factors present avenues through which we can identify novel targets for treatment in ALS. Several clinical trials are now underway evaluating the effectiveness of modifying energy balance in ALS, making this article timely in reviewing the evidence base for metabolic and nutritional interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Centre de Recherches en Biomédecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Edward Kasarskis
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shyuan Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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12
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Xing C, Huang X, Wang D, Yu D, Hou S, Cui H, Song L. Roles of bile acids signaling in neuromodulation under physiological and pathological conditions. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:106. [PMID: 37308953 PMCID: PMC10258966 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01053-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bile acids (BA) are important physiological molecules not only mediating nutrients absorption and metabolism in peripheral tissues, but exerting neuromodulation effect in the central nerve system (CNS). The catabolism of cholesterol to BA occurs predominantly in the liver by the classical and alternative pathways, or in the brain initiated by the neuronal-specific enzyme CYP46A1 mediated pathway. Circulating BA could cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and reach the CNS through passive diffusion or BA transporters. Brain BA might trigger direct signal through activating membrane and nucleus receptors or affecting activation of neurotransmitter receptors. Peripheral BA may also provide the indirect signal to the CNS via farnesoid X receptor (FXR) dependent fibroblast growth factor 15/19 (FGF15/19) pathway or takeda G protein coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) dependent glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) pathway. Under pathological conditions, alterations in BA metabolites have been discovered as potential pathogenic contributors in multiple neurological disorders. Attractively, hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), especially tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can exert neuroprotective roles by attenuating neuroinflammation, apoptosis, oxidative or endoplasmic reticulum stress, which provides promising therapeutic effects for treatment of neurological diseases. This review summarizes recent findings highlighting the metabolism, crosstalk between brain and periphery, and neurological functions of BA to elucidate the important role of BA signaling in the brain under both physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xing
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Xin Huang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Dongxue Wang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China
- College of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154007, China
| | - Dengjun Yu
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China
- College of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154007, China
| | - Shaojun Hou
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China
- Anhui Medical University, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Haoran Cui
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Lung Song
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taiping Road #27, Beijing, 100850, China.
- Anhui Medical University, Heifei, 230032, China.
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13
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Sahana TG, Chase KJ, Liu F, Lloyd TE, Rossoll W, Zhang K. c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Promotes Stress Granule Assembly and Neurodegeneration in C9orf72-Mediated ALS and FTD. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3186-3197. [PMID: 37015810 PMCID: PMC10146492 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1799-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress granules are the RNA/protein condensates assembled in the cells under stress. They play a critical role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, how stress granule assembly is regulated and related to ALS/FTD pathomechanism is incompletely understood. Mutation in the C9orf72 gene is the most common cause of familial ALS and FTD. C9orf72 mutation causes the formation of toxic dipeptide repeats. Here we show that the two most toxic dipeptide repeats [i.e., poly(GR) and poly(PR)] activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) via the ER-stress response protein IRE1 using fly and cellular models. Further, we show that activated JNK promotes stress granule assembly in cells by promoting the transcription of one of the key stress granule proteins (i.e., G3BP1) by inducing histone 3 phosphorylation. Consistent with these findings, JNK or IRE1 inhibition reduced stress granule formation, histone 3 phosphorylation, G3BP1 mRNA and protein levels, and neurotoxicity in cells overexpressing poly(GR) and poly(PR) or neurons derived from male and female C9ALS/FTD patient-induced pluripotent stem cells. Our findings connect ER stress, JNK activation, and stress granule assembly in a unified pathway contributing to C9ALS/FTD neurodegeneration.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which is the central node for the integration of multiple stress signals. Cells are under constant stress in neurodegenerative diseases, and how these cells respond to stress signals is a critical factor in determining their survival or death. Previous studies have shown JNK as a major contributor to cellular apoptosis. Here, we show the role of JNK in stress granule assembly. We identify that toxic dipeptide repeats produced in ALS/FTD conditions activate JNK. The activated JNK in the nucleus can induce histone modifications which increase G3BP1 expression, thus promoting stress granule assembly and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Feilin Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224
| | - Thomas E Lloyd
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida 32224
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida 32224
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Gaoke Innovation Centre A16, Guangqiao Rd, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China, P.R
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14
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Ong HW, Liang Y, Richardson W, Lowry ER, Wells CI, Chen X, Silvestre M, Dempster K, Silvaroli JA, Smith JL, Wichterle H, Pabla NS, Ultanir SK, Bullock AN, Drewry DH, Axtman AD. Discovery of a Potent and Selective CDKL5/GSK3 Chemical Probe That Is Neuroprotective. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1672-1685. [PMID: 37084253 PMCID: PMC10161233 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite mediating several essential processes in the brain, including during development, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) remains a poorly characterized human protein kinase. Accordingly, its substrates, functions, and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully described. We realized that availability of a potent and selective small molecule probe targeting CDKL5 could enable illumination of its roles in normal development as well as in diseases where it has become aberrant due to mutation. We prepared analogs of AT-7519, a compound that has advanced to phase II clinical trials and is a known inhibitor of several cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin-dependent kinase-like kinases (CDKLs). We identified analog 2 as a highly potent and cell-active chemical probe for CDKL5/GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3). Evaluation of its kinome-wide selectivity confirmed that analog 2 demonstrates excellent selectivity and only retains GSK3α/β affinity. We next demonstrated the inhibition of downstream CDKL5 and GSK3α/β signaling and solved a co-crystal structure of analog 2 bound to human CDKL5. A structurally similar analog (4) proved to lack CDKL5 affinity and maintain potent and selective inhibition of GSK3α/β, making it a suitable negative control. Finally, we used our chemical probe pair (2 and 4) to demonstrate that inhibition of CDKL5 and/or GSK3α/β promotes the survival of human motor neurons exposed to endoplasmic reticulum stress. We have demonstrated a neuroprotective phenotype elicited by our chemical probe pair and exemplified the utility of our compounds to characterize the role of CDKL5/GSK3 in neurons and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Yi Liang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - William Richardson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Emily R Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Carrow I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Xiangrong Chen
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Josie A Silvaroli
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jeffery L Smith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Navjot S Pabla
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Alison D Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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15
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Dupuis L, Chio A. The "metabolic axis" of ALS: The role of body weight in disease pathogenesis. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:191-192. [PMID: 36602891 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
| | - Adriano Chio
- Neurology 1, ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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16
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Ong HW, Liang Y, Richardson W, Lowry ER, Wells CI, Chen X, Silvestre M, Dempster K, Silvaroli JA, Smith JL, Wichterle H, Pabla NS, Ultanir SK, Bullock AN, Drewry DH, Axtman AD. A Potent and Selective CDKL5/GSK3 Chemical Probe is Neuroprotective. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.09.527935. [PMID: 36798313 PMCID: PMC9934649 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite mediating several essential processes in the brain, including during development, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) remains a poorly characterized human protein kinase. Accordingly, its substrates, functions, and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully described. We realized that availability of a potent and selective small molecule probe targeting CDKL5 could enable illumination of its roles in normal development as well as in diseases where it has become aberrant due to mutation. We prepared analogs of AT-7519, a known inhibitor of several cyclin dependent and cyclin-dependent kinase-like kinases that has been advanced into Phase II clinical trials. We identified analog 2 as a highly potent and cell-active chemical probe for CDKL5/GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3). Evaluation of its kinome-wide selectivity confirmed that analog 2 demonstrates excellent selectivity and only retains GSK3α/β affinity. As confirmation that our chemical probe is a high-quality tool to use in directed biological studies, we demonstrated inhibition of downstream CDKL5 and GSK3α/β signaling and solved a co-crystal structure of analog 2 bound to CDKL5. A structurally similar analog ( 4 ) proved to lack CDKL5 affinity and maintain potent and selective inhibition of GSK3α/β. Finally, we used our chemical probe pair ( 2 and 4 ) to demonstrate that inhibition of CDKL5 and/or GSK3α/β promotes the survival of human motor neurons exposed to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We have demonstrated a neuroprotective phenotype elicited by our chemical probe pair and exemplified the utility of our compounds to characterize the role of CDKL5/GSK3 in neurons and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Yi Liang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - William Richardson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Emily R. Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America
| | - Carrow I. Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Xiangrong Chen
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Josie A. Silvaroli
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States of America
| | - Jeffery L. Smith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neurology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America
| | - Navjot S. Pabla
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States of America
| | - Sila K. Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Alex N. Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - David H. Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America; UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Alison D. Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
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17
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Yeo XY, Tan LY, Chae WR, Lee DY, Lee YA, Wuestefeld T, Jung S. Liver's influence on the brain through the action of bile acids. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123967. [PMID: 36816113 PMCID: PMC9932919 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver partakes as a sensor and effector of peripheral metabolic changes and a regulator of systemic blood and nutrient circulation. As such, abnormalities arising from liver dysfunction can influence the brain in multiple ways, owing to direct and indirect bilateral communication between the liver and the brain. Interestingly, altered bile acid composition resulting from perturbed liver cholesterol metabolism influences systemic inflammatory responses, blood-brain barrier permeability, and neuron synaptic functions. Furthermore, bile acids produced by specific bacterial species may provide a causal link between dysregulated gut flora and neurodegenerative disease pathology through the gut-brain axis. This review will cover the role of bile acids-an often-overlooked category of active metabolites-in the development of neurological disorders associated with neurodegeneration. Further studies into bile acid signaling in the brain may provide insights into novel treatments against neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yi Yeo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore,Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li Yang Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore,Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Woo Ri Chae
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore,Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dong-Yup Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Yong-An Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore,*Correspondence: Yong-An Lee,
| | - Torsten Wuestefeld
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Siingapore,National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore,Torsten Wuestefeld,
| | - Sangyong Jung
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore,Sangyong Jung,
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18
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Bile Acids Induce Neurite Outgrowth in Nsc-34 Cells via TGR5 and a Distinct Transcriptional Profile. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/ph16020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports a neuroprotective role for bile acids in major neurodegenerative disorders. We studied major human bile acids as signaling molecules for their two cellular receptors, farnesoid X receptor (FXR or NR1H4) and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1 or TGR5), as potential neurotrophic agents. Using quantitative image analysis, we found that 20 μM deoxycholic acid (DCA) could induce neurite outgrowth in NSC-34 cells that was comparable to the neurotrophic effects of the culture control 1 μM retinoic acid (RA), with lesser effects observed for chenodexoycholic acid (CDCA) at 20 μM, and similar though less robust neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y cells. Using chemical agonists and antagonists of FXR, LXR, and TGR5, we found that TGR5 agonism was comparable to DCA stimulation and stronger than RA, and that neither FXR nor liver X receptor (LXR) inhibition could block bile acid-induced neurite growth. RNA sequencing identified a core set of genes whose expression was regulated by DCA, CDCA, and RA. Our data suggest that bile acid signaling through TGR5 may be a targetable pathway to stimulate neurite outgrowth.
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19
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Bile acids and neurological disease. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108311. [PMID: 36400238 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108311] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This review will focus on how bile acids are being used in clinical trials to treat neurological diseases due to their central involvement with the gut-liver-brain axis and their physiological and pathophysiological roles in both normal brain function and multiple neurological diseases. The synthesis of primary and secondary bile acids species and how the regulation of the bile acid pool may differ between the gut and brain is discussed. The expression of several bile acid receptors in brain and their currently known functions along with the tools available to manipulate them pharmacologically are examined, together with discussion of the interaction of bile acids with the gut microbiome and their lesser-known effects upon brain glucose and lipid metabolism. How dysregulation of the gut microbiome, aging and sex differences may lead to disruption of bile acid signalling and possible causal roles in a number of neurological disorders are also considered. Finally, we discuss how pharmacological treatments targeting bile acid receptors are currently being tested in an array of clinical trials for several different neurodegenerative diseases.
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20
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Albanese A, Ludolph AC, McDermott CJ, Corcia P, Van Damme P, Van den Berg LH, Hardiman O, Rinaldi G, Vanacore N, Dickie B. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The TUDCA-ALS trial protocol. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1009113. [PMID: 36237618 PMCID: PMC9552801 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1009113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative rare disease that affects motor neurons in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord, resulting in progressive weakness and atrophy of voluntary skeletal muscles. Although much has been achieved in understanding the disease pathogenesis, treatment options are limited, and in Europe, riluzole is the only approved drug. Recently, some other drugs showed minor effects. Methods The TUDCA-ALS trial is a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The study aims to enroll 320 patients in 25 centers across seven countries in Europe. Enrolled patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms: TUDCA or identical placebo by oral route. The study measures disease progression during the treatment period and compares it to natural progression during a no-treatment run-in phase. Clinical data and specific biomarkers are measured during the trial. The study is coordinated by a consortium composed of leading European ALS centers. Conclusion This trial is aimed to determine whether TUDCA has a disease-modifying activity in ALS. Demonstration of TUDCA efficacy, combined with the validation of new biomarkers, could advance ALS patient care. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03800524.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Albanese
- Neurology Department, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy,*Correspondence: Alberto Albanese
| | - Albert Christian Ludolph
- Neurology Department, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany,German Centre of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christopher J. McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Centre de Référence Maladie Rare (CRMR) SLA et les autres maladies du neurone moteur (FILSLAN), Tours, France,CHU Bretonneau, Tours, France,Federation des CRMR-SLA Tours-Limoges, LITORALS, Tours, France,INSERM U1253, “iBrain,” Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Faculté de Médecine, Tours, France
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven and Neuroscience Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leonard H. Van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Dublin, Ireland,Clinical Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Brian Dickie
- Motor Neurone Disease Association, Northampton, United Kingdom
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21
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Tauroursodeoxycholic acid: a potential therapeutic tool in neurodegenerative diseases. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:33. [PMID: 35659112 PMCID: PMC9166453 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00307-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative disorders are diseases of protein homeostasis, with misfolded aggregates accumulating. The neurodegenerative process is mediated by numerous metabolic pathways, most of which lead to apoptosis. In recent years, hydrophilic bile acids, particularly tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), have shown important anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective activities, with numerous experimental and clinical evidence suggesting their possible therapeutic use as disease-modifiers in neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental evidence on the mechanisms underlying TUDCA's neuroprotective action derives from animal models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and cerebral ischemia. Preclinical studies indicate that TUDCA exerts its effects not only by regulating and inhibiting the apoptotic cascade, but also by reducing oxidative stress, protecting the mitochondria, producing an anti-neuroinflammatory action, and acting as a chemical chaperone to maintain the stability and correct folding of proteins. Furthermore, data from phase II clinical trials have shown TUDCA to be safe and a potential disease-modifier in ALS. ALS is the first neurodegenerative disease being treated with hydrophilic bile acids. While further clinical evidence is being accumulated for the other diseases, TUDCA stands as a promising treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
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22
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Efficient Neuroprotective Rescue of Sacsin-Related Disease Phenotypes in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168401. [PMID: 34445111 PMCID: PMC8395086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a multisystem hereditary ataxia associated with mutations in SACS, which encodes sacsin, a protein of still only partially understood function. Although mouse models of ARSACS mimic largely the disease progression seen in humans, their use in the validation of effective therapies has not yet been proposed. Recently, the teleost Danio rerio has attracted increasing attention as a vertebrate model that allows rapid and economical screening, of candidate molecules, and thus combines the advantages of whole-organism phenotypic assays and in vitro high-throughput screening assays. Through CRISPR/Cas9-based mutagenesis, we generated and characterized a zebrafish sacs-null mutant line that replicates the main features of ARSACS. The sacs-null fish showed motor impairment, hindbrain atrophy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. As proof of principle for using these mutant fish in high-throughput screening studies, we showed that both acetyl-DL-leucine and tauroursodeoxycholic acid improved locomotor and biochemical phenotypes in sacs−/− larvae treated with these neuroprotective agents, by mediating significant rescue of the molecular functions altered by sacsin loss. Taken together, the evidence here reported shows the zebrafish to be a valuable model organism for the identification of novel molecular mechanisms and for efficient and rapid in vivo optimization and screening of potential therapeutic compounds. These findings may pave the way for new interventions targeting the earliest phases of Purkinje cell degeneration in ARSACS.
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23
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Dafinca R, Barbagallo P, Talbot K. The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and ER Stress in TDP-43 and C9ORF72 ALS. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:653688. [PMID: 33867942 PMCID: PMC8047135 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.653688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the motor system with complex determinants, including genetic and non-genetic factors. Despite this heterogeneity, a key pathological signature is the mislocalization and aggregation of specific proteins in the cytoplasm, suggesting that convergent pathogenic mechanisms focusing on disturbances in proteostasis are important in ALS. In addition, many cellular processes have been identified as potentially contributing to disease initiation and progression, such as defects in axonal transport, autophagy, nucleocytoplasmic transport, ER stress, calcium metabolism, the unfolded protein response and mitochondrial function. Here we review the evidence from in vitro and in vivo models of C9ORF72 and TDP-43-related ALS supporting a central role in pathogenesis for endoplasmic reticulum stress, which activates an unfolded protein response (UPR), and mitochondrial dysfunction. Disruption in the finely tuned signaling between the ER and mitochondria through calcium ions may be a crucial trigger of mitochondrial deficits and initiate an apoptotic signaling cascade, thus acting as a point of convergence for multiple upstream disturbances of cellular homeostasis and constituting a potentially important therapeutic target.
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24
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Garcia-Diaz A, Efe G, Kabra K, Patel A, Lowry ER, Shneider NA, Corneo B, Wichterle H. Standardized Reporter Systems for Purification and Imaging of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Motor Neurons and Other Cholinergic Cells. Neuroscience 2020; 450:48-56. [PMID: 32615233 PMCID: PMC7688562 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Reliable and consistent pluripotent stem cell reporter systems for efficient purification and visualization of motor neurons are essential reagents for the study of normal motor neuron biology and for effective disease modeling. To overcome the inherent noisiness of transgene-based reporters, we developed a new series of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines by knocking in tdTomato, Cre, or CreERT2 recombinase into the HB9 (MNX1) or VACHT (SLC18A3) genomic loci. The new lines were validated by directed differentiation into spinal motor neurons and immunostaining for motor neuron markers HB9 and ISL1. To facilitate efficient purification of spinal motor neurons, we further engineered the VACHT-Cre cell line with a validated, conditional CD14-GFP construct that allows for both fluorescence-based identification of motor neurons, as well as magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) to isolate differentiated motor neurons at scale. The targeting strategies developed here offer a standardized platform for reproducible comparison of motor neurons across independently derived pluripotent cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Garcia-Diaz
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (in Neurology), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; The Stem Cell Core Facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Gizem Efe
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (in Neurology), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; The Stem Cell Core Facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Khushbu Kabra
- The Stem Cell Core Facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Achchhe Patel
- The Stem Cell Core Facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Emily R Lowry
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (in Neurology), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Neil A Shneider
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Barbara Corneo
- The Stem Cell Core Facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (in Neurology), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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25
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Grant SM, DeMorrow S. Bile Acid Signaling in Neurodegenerative and Neurological Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5982. [PMID: 32825239 PMCID: PMC7503576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21175982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile acids are commonly known as digestive agents for lipids. The mechanisms of bile acids in the gastrointestinal track during normal physiological conditions as well as hepatic and cholestatic diseases have been well studied. Bile acids additionally serve as ligands for signaling molecules such as nuclear receptor Farnesoid X receptor and membrane-bound receptors, Takeda G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2. Recent studies have shown that bile acid signaling may also have a prevalent role in the central nervous system. Some bile acids, such as tauroursodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid, have shown neuroprotective potential in experimental animal models and clinical studies of many neurological conditions. Alterations in bile acid metabolism have been discovered as potential biomarkers for prognosis tools as well as the expression of various bile acid receptors in multiple neurological ailments. This review explores the findings of recent studies highlighting bile acid-mediated therapies and bile acid-mediated signaling and the roles they play in neurodegenerative and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Grant
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sharon DeMorrow
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Research Division, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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26
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Kukharsky MS, Skvortsova VI, Bachurin SO, Buchman VL. In a search for efficient treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Old drugs for new approaches. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:2804-2822. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michail S. Kukharsky
- Faculty of Medical Biology Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University Moscow Russian Federation
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Region Russian Federation
| | - Veronika I. Skvortsova
- Faculty of Medical Biology Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University Moscow Russian Federation
| | - Sergey O. Bachurin
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Region Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir L. Buchman
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Region Russian Federation
- School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff United Kingdom
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27
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Bos PH, Lowry ER, Costa J, Thams S, Garcia-Diaz A, Zask A, Wichterle H, Stockwell BR. Development of MAP4 Kinase Inhibitors as Motor Neuron-Protecting Agents. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:1703-1715.e37. [PMID: 31676236 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Disease-causing mutations in many neurodegenerative disorders lead to proteinopathies that trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, few therapeutic options exist for patients with these diseases. Using an in vitro screening platform to identify compounds that protect human motor neurons from ER stress-mediated degeneration, we discovered that compounds targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K) family are neuroprotective. The kinase inhibitor URMC-099 (compound 1) stood out as a promising lead compound for further optimization. We coupled structure-based compound design with functional activity testing in neurons subjected to ER stress to develop a series of analogs with improved MAP4K inhibition and concomitant increases in potency and efficacy. Further structural modifications were performed to enhance the pharmacokinetic profiles of the compound 1 derivatives. Prostetin/12k emerged as an exceptionally potent, metabolically stable, and blood-brain barrier-penetrant compound that is well suited for future testing in animal models of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter H Bos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Emily R Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jonathon Costa
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sebastian Thams
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alejandro Garcia-Diaz
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Arie Zask
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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28
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Volonté C, Apolloni S, Sabatelli M. Histamine beyond its effects on allergy: Potential therapeutic benefits for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Pharmacol Ther 2019; 202:120-131. [PMID: 31233766 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
ALS currently remains a challenge despite many efforts in performing successful clinical trials and formulating therapeutic solutions. By learning from current failures and striving for success, scientists and clinicians are checking every possibility to search for missing hints and efficacious treatments. Because the disease is very complex and heterogeneous and, moreover, targeting not only motor neurons but also several different cell types including muscle, glial, and immune cells, the right answer to ALS is conceivably a multidrug strategy or the use of broad-spectrum molecules. The aim of the present work is to gather evidence about novel perspectives on ALS pathogenesis and to present recent and innovative paradigms for therapy. In particular, we describe how an old molecule possessing immunomodulatory and neuroprotective functions beyond its recognized effects on allergy, histamine, might have a renewed and far-reaching momentum in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Volonté
- CNR-Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology/UCSC, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Preclinical Neuroscience, Via Del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Savina Apolloni
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Preclinical Neuroscience, Via Del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Institute of Neurology-Catholic University of Sacro Cuore, Clinic Center NEMO- Fondazione Pol. A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
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29
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An D, Fujiki R, Iannitelli DE, Smerdon JW, Maity S, Rose MF, Gelber A, Wanaselja EK, Yagudayeva I, Lee JY, Vogel C, Wichterle H, Engle EC, Mazzoni EO. Stem cell-derived cranial and spinal motor neurons reveal proteostatic differences between ALS resistant and sensitive motor neurons. eLife 2019; 8:44423. [PMID: 31157617 PMCID: PMC6594754 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spinal motor neurons (SpMN) progressively degenerate while a subset of cranial motor neurons (CrMN) are spared until late stages of the disease. Using a rapid and efficient protocol to differentiate mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) to SpMNs and CrMNs, we now report that ESC-derived CrMNs accumulate less human (h)SOD1 and insoluble p62 than SpMNs over time. ESC-derived CrMNs have higher proteasome activity to degrade misfolded proteins and are intrinsically more resistant to chemically-induced proteostatic stress than SpMNs. Chemical and genetic activation of the proteasome rescues SpMN sensitivity to proteostatic stress. In agreement, the hSOD1 G93A mouse model reveals that ALS-resistant CrMNs accumulate less insoluble hSOD1 and p62-containing inclusions than SpMNs. Primary-derived ALS-resistant CrMNs are also more resistant than SpMNs to proteostatic stress. Thus, an ESC-based platform has identified a superior capacity to maintain a healthy proteome as a possible mechanism to resist ALS-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disi An
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Ryosuke Fujiki
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | | | - John W Smerdon
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Shuvadeep Maity
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Matthew F Rose
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, United States
| | - Alon Gelber
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, United States
| | | | - Ilona Yagudayeva
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Joun Y Lee
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Christine Vogel
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Elizabeth C Engle
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Esteban Orlando Mazzoni
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States.,NYU Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, United States
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30
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Tung YT, Peng KC, Chen YC, Yen YP, Chang M, Thams S, Chen JA. Mir-17∼92 Confers Motor Neuron Subtype Differential Resistance to ALS-Associated Degeneration. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 25:193-209.e7. [PMID: 31155482 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Progressive degeneration of motor neurons (MNs) is the hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Limb-innervating lateral motor column MNs (LMC-MNs) seem to be particularly vulnerable and are among the first MNs affected in ALS. Here, we report association of this differential susceptibility with reduced expression of the mir-17∼92 cluster in LMC-MNs prior to disease onset. Reduced mir-17∼92 is accompanied by elevated nuclear PTEN in spinal MNs of presymptomatic SOD1G93A mice. Selective dysregulation of the mir-17∼92/nuclear PTEN axis in degenerating SOD1G93A LMC-MNs was confirmed in a double-transgenic embryonic stem cell system and recapitulated in human SOD1+/L144F-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs. We further show that overexpression of mir-17∼92 significantly rescues human SOD1+/L144F MNs, and intrathecal delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV)9-mir-17∼92 improves motor deficits and survival in SOD1G93A mice. Thus, mir-17∼92 may have value as a prognostic marker of MN degeneration and is a candidate therapeutic target in SOD1-linked ALS. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Tsen Tung
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
| | - Kuan-Chih Peng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chung Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ping Yen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mien Chang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Sebastian Thams
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jun-An Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
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