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Invited review: Utilizing peripheral nerve regenerative elements to repair damage in the CNS. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 335:108623. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Restored presynaptic synaptophysin and cholinergic inputs contribute to the protective effects of physical running on spatial memory in aged mice. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104586. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Lopez-Coviella I, Mellott TJ, Schnitzler AC, Blusztajn JK. BMP9 protects septal neurons from axotomy-evoked loss of cholinergic phenotype. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21166. [PMID: 21695154 PMCID: PMC3113905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholinergic projection from the septum to the hippocampus is crucial for normal cognitive function and degeneration of cells and nerve fibers within the septohippocampal pathway contributes to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 9 is a cholinergic differentiating factor during development both in vivo and in vitro. Methodology/Principal Findings To determine whether BMP9 could protect the adult cholinergic septohippocampal pathway from axotomy-evoked loss of the cholinergic phenotype, we performed unilateral fimbria-fornix transection in mice and treated them with a continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of BMP9 for six days. The number of choline acetyltransferase (CHAT)-positive cells was reduced by 50% in the medial septal nucleus ipsilateral to the lesion as compared to the intact, contralateral side, and BMP9 infusion prevented this loss in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, BMP9 prevented most of the decline of hippocampal acetylcholine levels ipsilateral to the lesion, and markedly increased CHAT, choline transporter CHT, NGF receptors p75 (NGFR-p75) and TrkA (NTRK1), and NGF protein content in both the lesioned and unlesioned hippocampi. In addition, BMP9 infusion reduced bilaterally hippocampal levels of basic FGF (FGF2) protein. Conclusions/Significance These data indicate that BMP9 administration can prevent lesion-evoked impairment of the cholinergic septohippocampal neurons in adult mice and, by inducing NGF, establishes a trophic environment for these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Lopez-Coviella
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tiffany J. Mellott
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aletta C. Schnitzler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jan K. Blusztajn
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Naumann T, Steup A, Schnell O, Schubert KO, Zhi Q, Guijarro C, Kirsch M, Hofmann HD. Altered neuronal responses and regulation of neurotrophic proteins in the medial septum following fimbria-fornix transection in CNTF- and leukaemia inhibitory factor-deficient mice. Eur J Neurosci 2006; 24:2223-32. [PMID: 17074046 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05104.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Degeneration of axotomized GABAergic septohippocampal neurones has been shown to be enhanced in ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)-deficient mice following fimbria-fornix transection (FFT), indicating a neuroprotective function of endogenous CNTF. Paradoxically, however, the cholinergic population of septohippocampal neurones was more resistant to axotomy in these mutants. As leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been identified as a potential neuroprotective factor for the cholinergic medial septum (MS) neurones, FFT-induced responses were compared in CNTF(-/-), LIF(-/-) and CNTF/LIF double knockout mice. In CNTF(-/-) mice, FFT-induced cholinergic degeneration was confirmed to be attenuated as compared with wildtype mice. The expression of both LIF and LIF receptor beta was increased in the MS providing a possible explanation for the enhanced neuronal resistance to FFT in these animals. However, ablation of the LIF gene also produced paradoxical effects; following FFT in LIF(-/-) mice no loss of GABAergic or cholinergic MS neurones was detectable during the first postlesional week, suggesting that other efficient neuroprotective mechanisms are activated in these animals. In fact, enhanced activation of astrocytes, a source of neurotrophic proteins, was indicated by increased up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin expression. In addition, mRNA levels for neurotrophin signalling components (e.g. nerve growth factor, p75(NTR)) were differentially regulated. The positive effect on axotomized cholinergic neurones seen in CNTF(-/-) and LIF(-/-) mice as well as the increased up-regulation of astrogliose markers was abolished in CNTF/LIF double knockout animals. Our results indicate that endogenous CNTF and LIF are involved in the regulation of neuronal survival following central nervous system lesion and are integrated into a network of neurotrophic signals that mutually influence their expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Naumann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Center of Neuroscience, Albertstrasse 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Naumann T, Schnell O, Zhi Q, Kirsch M, Schubert KO, Sendtner M, Hofmann HD. Endogenous ciliary neurotrophic factor protects GABAergic, but not cholinergic, septohippocampal neurons following fimbria-fornix transection. Brain Pathol 2006; 13:309-21. [PMID: 12946020 PMCID: PMC8095902 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2003.tb00030.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of neurotrophic proteins including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), members of the family of gp130-associated cytokines, can rescue CNS neurons from injury-induced degeneration. However, it is not clear so far if these effects reflect a physiological function of the endogenous cytokines. Using fimbria-fornix transection as a model, we examined whether responses of GABAergic and cholinergic septohippocampal neurons to axotomy are altered in mice lacking CNTF. In addition, we studied the cellular expression of CNTF, LIF and related cytokine receptor components in the septal complex following lesion. Degeneration of septohippocampal GABAergic neurons in the medial septum as indicated by the loss of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons was accelerated and permanently enhanced in CNTF(-/-) mice as compared to wild-type animals. Unexpectedly, the number of axotomized cholinergic MS neurons was significantly higher in CNTF-deficient mice during the first 2 weeks postlesion. Both in wild-type and in CNTF(-/-) mutants, expression of mRNA for the CNTF-specific alpha-subunit of the cytokine receptor complex was specifically upregulated in axotomized GABAergic septal neurons, whereas enhanced expression of the LIF-binding beta-subunit was specifically observed in axotomized cholinergic neurons. Following lesion, CNTF expression in wild-type mice was induced in activated astrocytes surrounding the axotomized neurons and at the lesion site. Expression of LIF mRNA was localized in the GABAergic and cholinergic septohippocampal neurons. These results strongly indicate that endogenous CNTF, supplied by reactive glia cells, acts as a neuroprotective factor for axotomized CNS neurons. In the septum, endogenous CNTF specifically supports lesioned GABAergic projection neurons, whereas LIF may play a similar role for the cholinergic counterparts.
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Levy YS, Gilgun-Sherki Y, Melamed E, Offen D. Therapeutic potential of neurotrophic factors in neurodegenerative diseases. BioDrugs 2005; 19:97-127. [PMID: 15807629 DOI: 10.2165/00063030-200519020-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
There is a vast amount of evidence indicating that neurotrophic factors play a major role in the development, maintenance, and survival of neurons and neuron-supporting cells such as glia and oligodendrocytes. In addition, it is well known that alterations in levels of neurotrophic factors or their receptors can lead to neuronal death and contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and also aging. Although various treatments alleviate the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, none of them prevent or halt the neurodegenerative process. The high potency of neurotrophic factors, as shown by many experimental studies, makes them a rational candidate co-therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative disease. However, in practice, their clinical use is limited because of difficulties in protein delivery and pharmacokinetics in the central nervous system. To overcome these disadvantages and to facilitate the development of drugs with improved pharmacotherapeutic profiles, research is underway on neurotrophic factors and their receptors, and the molecular mechanisms by which they work, together with the development of new technologies for their delivery into the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yossef S Levy
- Laboratory of Neuroscineces, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Israel
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Schubert KO, Naumann T, Schnell O, Zhi Q, Steup A, Hofmann HD, Kirsch M. Activation of STAT3 signaling in axotomized neurons and reactive astrocytes after fimbria-fornix transection. Exp Brain Res 2005; 165:520-31. [PMID: 15991029 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-005-2330-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2004] [Accepted: 03/01/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
It is an open question to what extent neuroprotective mechanisms involving neurotrophic proteins are activated after central nervous system (CNS) lesions. Results from previous studies have indicated that ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and other members of the family of gp130-associated cytokines have neuroprotective effects on septohippocampal projection neurons axotomized by fimbria-fornix transection (FFT). Here we demonstrate that the transcription factor STAT3, a component of the primary cytokine signal transduction pathway, is transiently activated after FFT in the medial septum and in the lateral septum deafferented by the lesion. Immunocytochemical double-labeling showed nuclear signals for phosphorylated STAT3 in both types (GABAergic and cholinergic) of axotomized medial septal neurons around day 4 postlesion. This response temporally coincided with the cell-type-specific upregulation of the cytokine receptor components CNTF receptor alpha and LIF receptor beta in the same neurons. However, neuronal STAT3-activation was not abolished in CNTF- or LIF-deficient mouse mutants. Furthermore, lesion-induced STAT3 signaling was also found in reactive GFAP-positive astrocytes of the medial and lateral septum. Interestingly, basal GFAP expression was reduced but postlesional upregulation was markedly enhanced in CNTF(-/-) animals. These results demonstrate transient activation of cytokine signaling after CNS lesion and suggest that gp130-associated cytokines have multiple functions in the lesioned CNS by directly acting on axotomized neurons and on reactive astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Oliver Schubert
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology I, University of Freiburg, P.O. Box 111, 79001, Freiburg, Germany
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Lopez-Coviella I, Follettie MT, Mellott TJ, Kovacheva VP, Slack BE, Diesl V, Berse B, Thies RS, Blusztajn JK. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 induces the transcriptome of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:6984-9. [PMID: 15870197 PMCID: PMC1088172 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0502097102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2004] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) participate in processes of learning, memory, and attention. Little is known about the genes expressed by BFCN and the extracellular signals that control their expression. Previous studies showed that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 9 induces and maintains the cholinergic phenotype of embryonic BFCN. We measured gene expression patterns in septal cultures of embryonic day 14 mice and rats grown in the presence or absence of BMP9 by using species-specific microarrays and validated the RNA expression data of selected genes by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry analysis of their protein products. BMP9 enhanced the expression of multiple genes in a time-dependent and, in most cases, reversible manner. The set of BMP9-responsive genes was concordant between mouse and rat and included genes encoding cell-cycle/growth control proteins, transcription factors, signal transduction molecules, extracellular matrix, and adhesion molecules, enzymes, transporters, and chaperonins. BMP9 induced the p75 neurotrophin receptor (NGFR), a marker of BFCN, and Cntf and Serpinf1, two trophic factors for cholinergic neurons, suggesting that BMP9 creates a trophic environment for BFCN. To determine whether the genes induced by BMP9 in culture were constituents of the BFCN transcriptome, we purified BFCN from embryonic day 18 mouse septum by using fluorescence-activated cell sorting of NGFR(+) cells and profiled mRNA expression of these and NGFR(-) cells. Approximately 30% of genes induced by BMP9 in vitro were overexpressed in purified BFCN, indicating that they belong to the BFCN transcriptome in situ and suggesting that BMP signaling contributes to maturation of BFCN in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Lopez-Coviella
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Calzà L, Giardino L. Neuroprotection: A Realistic Goal for Aged Brain? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2004; 541:153-68. [PMID: 14977213 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8969-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Calzà
- DIMORFIPA, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
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Minami M, Maekawa K, Yamakuni H, Katayama T, Nakamura J, Satoh M. Kainic acid induces leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA expression in the rat brain: differences in the time course of mRNA expression between the dentate gyrus and hippocampal CA1/CA3 subfields. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2002; 107:39-46. [PMID: 12414122 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(02)00443-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pluripotent cytokine which affects the survival and differentiation of various types of cells both in the hematopoietic and nervous systems. In this study, the time course and localization of LIF mRNA expression following kainic acid-induced seizures were examined by northern blot analyses and in situ hybridization. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid at a convulsive dose induced LIF mRNA expression intensely in the hippocampus and moderately to weakly in the cerebral cortex, thalamus and hypothalamus. The expression peaked at 8-24 h after the injection in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex and at 8 h in the thalamus and hypothalamus. In situ hybridization revealed different time courses of LIF mRNA expression depending on the area of the hippocampus; that is, the expression peaked at 10 h in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus, then at 12 h in the polymorph and molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, and finally at 12-24 h in the strata oriens and radiatum of the CA1 and CA3 subfields. It is worth noting that the expression of LIF mRNA was intense in the dentate gyrus, the region where neurogenesis and aberrant network reorganization have been shown to be induced by seizures. The upregulation of LIF mRNA expression in the dentate granule cell layer followed by that in the dentate polymorph and molecular layers may be involved in activity-dependent neurogenesis in the granule cell layer and ectopic migration of granule cells to the polymorph and molecular layers in the dentate gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masabumi Minami
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Yamakuni H, Kawaguchi N, Ohtani Y, Nakamura J, Katayama T, Nakagawa T, Minami M, Satoh M. ATP induces leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA in cultured rat astrocytes. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 129:43-50. [PMID: 12161019 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00179-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine involved in the survival and differentiation of the neural cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the present study, we examined the effects of various neurotransmitter receptor agonists on LIF mRNA expression in cultured rat astrocytes, microglia and neurons to elucidate the cell types producing LIF and to clarify the neurotransmitter(s) regulating the mRNA expression. The results demonstrated that the expression of LIF mRNA was intensely induced by ATP in the cultured astrocytes. Experiments using ATP, UTP and related compounds showed the involvement of P2Y2 and P2Y4 purinoceptors in the expression induced by ATP.
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MESH Headings
- Adenosine Diphosphate/metabolism
- Adenosine Diphosphate/pharmacology
- Adenosine Triphosphate/analogs & derivatives
- Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism
- Adenosine Triphosphate/pharmacology
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Astrocytes/cytology
- Astrocytes/drug effects
- Astrocytes/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Central Nervous System/cytology
- Central Nervous System/growth & development
- Central Nervous System/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Fetus
- Growth Inhibitors/genetics
- Growth Inhibitors/metabolism
- Interleukin-6
- Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
- Lymphokines/genetics
- Lymphokines/metabolism
- Microglia/cytology
- Microglia/drug effects
- Microglia/metabolism
- Neurons/cytology
- Neurons/drug effects
- Neurons/metabolism
- Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism
- Neurotransmitter Agents/pharmacology
- Pyridoxal Phosphate/analogs & derivatives
- Pyridoxal Phosphate/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/drug effects
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Neurotransmitter/agonists
- Receptors, Neurotransmitter/metabolism
- Receptors, Purinergic/drug effects
- Receptors, Purinergic/metabolism
- Receptors, Purinergic P2/drug effects
- Receptors, Purinergic P2/metabolism
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2
- Suramin/pharmacology
- Uridine Triphosphate/metabolism
- Uridine Triphosphate/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Yamakuni
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
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Giardino L, Giuliani A, Battaglia A, Carfagna N, Aloe L, Calza' L. Neuroprotection and aging of the cholinergic system: a role for the ergoline derivative nicergoline (Sermion). Neuroscience 2002; 109:487-97. [PMID: 11823061 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(01)00470-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The aging brain is characterized by selective neurochemical changes involving several neural populations. A deficit in the cholinergic system of the basal forebrain is thought to contribute to the development of cognitive symptoms of dementia. Attempts to prevent age-associated cholinergic vulnerability and deterioration therefore represent a crucial point for pharmacotherapy in the elderly. In this paper we provide evidence for the protective effect of nicergoline (Sermion) on the degeneration of cholinergic neurons induced by nerve growth factor deprivation. Nerve growth factor deprivation was induced by colchicine administration in rats 13 and 18 months old. Colchicine induces a rapid and substantial down-regulation of choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA level in the basal forebrain in untreated adult, middle-aged and old rats. Colchicine failed to cause these effects in old rats treated for 120 days with nicergoline 10 mg/kg/day, orally. Moreover, a concomitant increase of both nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor content was measured in the basal forebrain of old, nicergoline-treated rats. Additionally, the level of messenger RNA for the brain isoform of nitric oxide synthase in neurons of the basal forebrain was also increased in these animals. Based on the present findings, nicergoline proved to be an effective drug for preventing neuronal vulnerability due to experimentally induced nerve growth factor deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Giardino
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Production (DIMORFIPA), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozano dell'Emilia, Italy
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Siegel GJ, Chauhan NB. Neurotrophic factors in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease brain. BRAIN RESEARCH. BRAIN RESEARCH REVIEWS 2000; 33:199-227. [PMID: 11011066 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0173(00)00030-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 382] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The biomedical literature on the subject of neurotrophic growth factors has expanded prodigiously. This essay reviews neurotrophic factors (NTF) and their receptors in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) brain and recent updates on receptor signaling. The hypotheses for specific NTF involvement in neurodegenerative diseases in human and as potential therapy are based mainly on experimental animal and in vitro models. There are wide gaps in information on regional synthesis and cell contents of NTFs and their receptors in human brain. Observations on AD brain indicate increases in NGF and decreases in BDNF in surviving neurons of hippocampus and certain neocortical regions and decreases in TrkA in cortex and nucleus basalis. In PD brain, the few data available indicate decreases in neuronal content of GDNF and bFGF in surviving substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. There are very few data regarding age-dependent effects on NTFs and on their receptors in human brain. Since NTFs in neurons are subject to retrograde and, in at least some cases, to anterograde transport from and to target neurons, their effects may be related to synthesis in local or remote sites or to changes in axoplasmic transport. Also, certain NTFs and their receptors are found to be expressed in activated glia. Thus, comparative in situ data for transcription levels and protein contents for NTFs and their receptors in both sites of neuronal origin and termination in human brain are needed to understand their potential roles in treating human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Siegel
- Neurology Service (127), Edward Hines, Jr, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Bldg. #1, Rm#F-201, 60141, Hines, IL, USA.
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