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Gaffke L, Firyn N, Rintz E, Pierzynowska K, Piotrowska E, Mazur-Marzec H, Węgrzyn G. Therapeutic potential of lithium chloride and valproic acid against neuronopathic types of mucopolysaccharidoses through induction of the autophagy process. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 747:109754. [PMID: 37708928 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of inherited disorders, caused by mutations in the genes coding for proteins involved (directly or indirectly) in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) degradation. A lack or drastically decreased residual activity of a GAG-degrading enzyme leads to the storage of these compounds, thus damaging proper functions of different cells, including neurons. The disease leads to serious psycho-motor dysfunctions and death before reaching the adulthood. Until now, induction of the autophagy process was considered as one of the therapeutic strategies for treatment of diseases caused by protein aggregation (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases). However, this strategy has only been recently suggested as a potential therapy for MPS. In this work, we show that the pharmacological stimulation of autophagy, by using valproic acid and lithium chloride, led to accelerated degradation of accumulated GAGs. Cytotoxicity tests indicated the safety of the use of the investigated compounds. We observed an increased number of lysosomes and enhanced degradation of heparan sulfate (one of GAGs). Induction of the autophagy process was confirmed by measuring abundance of the marker proteins, including LC3-II. Moreover, inhibition of this process resulted in abolition of the valproic acid- and LiCl-mediated reduction in GAG levels. This is the first report on the possibility of using valproic acid and lithium chloride for reducing levels of GAGs in neuronopathic forms of MPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Natalia Firyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Estera Rintz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ewa Piotrowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Hanna Mazur-Marzec
- Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
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2
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Salem S, Cicchetti F. Untangling the Role of Tau in Huntington's Disease Pathology. J Huntingtons Dis 2023; 12:15-29. [PMID: 36806513 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-220557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence for the presence of pathological forms of tau in tissues of both Huntington's disease (HD) patients and animal models of this condition. While cumulative studies of the past decade have led to the proposition that this disorder could also be considered a tauopathy, the implications of tau in cellular toxicity and consequent behavioral impairments are largely unknown. In fact, recent animal work has challenged the contributory role of tau in HD pathogenesis/pathophysiology. This review presents the supporting and opposing arguments for the involvement of tau in HD, highlighting the discrepancies that have emerged. Reflecting on what is known in other tauopathies, the putative mechanisms through which tau could initiate and/or contribute to pathology are discussed, shedding light on the future research directions that could be considered to confirm, or rule out, the clinical relevance of tau in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shireen Salem
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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3
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Arciniegas Ruiz SM, Eldar-Finkelman H. Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Inhibitors: Preclinical and Clinical Focus on CNS-A Decade Onward. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:792364. [PMID: 35126052 PMCID: PMC8813766 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.792364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase, GSK-3, participates in diverse biological processes and is now recognized a promising drug discovery target in treating multiple pathological conditions. Over the last decade, a range of newly developed GSK-3 inhibitors of diverse chemotypes and inhibition modes has been developed. Even more conspicuous is the dramatic increase in the indications that were tested from mood and behavior disorders, autism and cognitive disabilities, to neurodegeneration, brain injury and pain. Indeed, clinical and pre-clinical studies were largely expanded uncovering new mechanisms and novel insights into the contribution of GSK-3 to neurodegeneration and central nerve system (CNS)-related disorders. In this review we summarize new developments in the field and describe the use of GSK-3 inhibitors in the variety of CNS disorders. This remarkable volume of information being generated undoubtedly reflects the great interest, as well as the intense hope, in developing potent and safe GSK-3 inhibitors in clinical practice.
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4
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Small-molecule suppression of calpastatin degradation reduces neuropathology in models of Huntington's disease. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5305. [PMID: 34489447 PMCID: PMC8421361 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25651-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common hallmark of neurological disorders, and reducing mitochondrial damage is considered a promising neuroprotective therapeutic strategy. Here, we used high-throughput small molecule screening to identify CHIR99021 as a potent enhancer of mitochondrial function. CHIR99021 improved mitochondrial phenotypes and enhanced cell viability in several models of Huntington’s disease (HD), a fatal inherited neurodegenerative disorder. Notably, CHIR99201 treatment reduced HD-associated neuropathology and behavioral defects in HD mice and improved mitochondrial function and cell survival in HD patient-derived neurons. Independent of its known inhibitory activity against glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), CHIR99021 treatment in HD models suppressed the proteasomal degradation of calpastatin (CAST), and subsequently inhibited calpain activation, a well-established effector of neural death, and Drp1, a driver of mitochondrial fragmentation. Our results established CAST-Drp1 as a druggable signaling axis in HD pathogenesis and highlighted CHIR99021 as a mitochondrial function enhancer and a potential lead for developing HD therapies. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common hallmark of neurological disorders. Here, the authors identify CHIR99021 as a potent enhancer of mitochondrial function, which improved mitochondrial phenotypes in Huntington’s disease models. CHIR99021 was shown to stabilize calpastatin, which suppressed calpain activation and Drp1-induced mitochondrial fragmentation.
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5
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When Good Kinases Go Rogue: GSK3, p38 MAPK and CDKs as Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's and Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115911. [PMID: 34072862 PMCID: PMC8199025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a mostly sporadic brain disorder characterized by cognitive decline resulting from selective neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex whereas Huntington's disease (HD) is a monogenic inherited disorder characterized by motor abnormalities and psychiatric disturbances resulting from selective neurodegeneration in the striatum. Although there have been numerous clinical trials for these diseases, they have been unsuccessful. Research conducted over the past three decades by a large number of laboratories has demonstrated that abnormal actions of common kinases play a key role in the pathogenesis of both AD and HD as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Prominent among these kinases are glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and some of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). After a brief summary of the molecular and cell biology of AD and HD this review covers what is known about the role of these three groups of kinases in the brain and in the pathogenesis of the two neurodegenerative disorders. The potential of targeting GSK3, p38 MAPK and CDKS as effective therapeutics is also discussed as is a brief discussion on the utilization of recently developed drugs that simultaneously target two or all three of these groups of kinases. Multi-kinase inhibitors either by themselves or in combination with strategies currently being used such as immunotherapy or secretase inhibitors for AD and knockdown for HD could represent a more effective therapeutic approach for these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.
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6
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Inhibition of GSK-3 ameliorates the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 154:105336. [PMID: 33753290 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In Huntington's disease (HD), the mutant huntingtin (mHtt) accumulates as toxic aggregates in the striatum tissue, with deleterious effects on motor-coordination and cognitive functions. Reducing the levels of mHtt is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy. We have previously reported that GSK-3 is a negative regulator of the autophagy/lysosome pathway, which is responsible for intracellular degradation, and is critically important for maintaining neuronal vitality. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibition of GSK-3 may trigger mHtt clearance thereby reducing mHtt cytotoxicity and improving HD symptoms. Here, we demonstrate that depletion or suppression of autophagy results in a massive accumulation of mHtt aggregates. Accordingly, mHtt aggregates were localized in lysosomes, but, mostly mislocalized from lysosomes in the absence of functional autophagy. Overexpression of GSK-3, particularly the α isozyme, increased the number of mHtt aggregates, while silencing GSK-3α/β, or treatment with a selective GSK-3 inhibitor, L807mts, previously described by us, reduced the amounts of mHtt aggregates. This effect was mediated by increased autophagic and lysosomal activity. Treating R6/2 mouse model of HD with L807mts, reduced striatal mHtt aggregates and elevated autophagic and lysosomal markers. The L807mts treatment also reduced hyperglycemia and improved motor-coordination functions in these mice. In addition, L807mts restored the expression levels of Sirt1, a critical neuroprotective factor in the HD striatum, along with its targets BDNF, DRPP-32, and active Akt, all provide neurotrophic/pro-survival support and typically decline in the HD brain. Our results provide strong evidence for a role for GSK-3 in the regulation of mHtt dynamics, and demonstrate the benefits of GSK-3 inhibition in reducing mHtt toxicity, providing neuroprotective support, and improving HD symptoms.
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7
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Is There Justification to Treat Neurodegenerative Disorders by Repurposing Drugs? The Case of Alzheimer's Disease, Lithium, and Autophagy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010189. [PMID: 33375448 PMCID: PMC7795249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium is the prototype mood-stabilizer used for acute and long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. Cumulated translational research of lithium indicated the drug's neuroprotective characteristics and, thereby, has raised the option of repurposing it as a drug for neurodegenerative diseases. Lithium's neuroprotective properties rely on its modulation of homeostatic mechanisms such as inflammation, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis. This myriad of intracellular responses are, possibly, consequences of the drug's inhibition of the enzymes inositol-monophosphatase (IMPase) and glycogen-synthase-kinase (GSK)-3. Here we review lithium's neurobiological properties as evidenced by its neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties, as well as translational studies in cells in culture, in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in patients, discussing the rationale for the drug's use in the treatment of AD.
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8
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Masnata M, Salem S, de Rus Jacquet A, Anwer M, Cicchetti F. Targeting Tau to Treat Clinical Features of Huntington's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:580732. [PMID: 33329322 PMCID: PMC7710872 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.580732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor, cognitive and psychiatric impairments. While motor deficits often confirm diagnosis, cognitive dysfunctions usually manifest early in the disease process and are consistently ranked among the leading factors that impact the patients' quality of life. The genetic component of HD, a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, is traditionally presented as the main contributor to disease pathology. However, accumulating evidence suggests the implication of the microtubule-associated tau protein to the pathogenesis and therefore, proposes an alternative conceptual framework where tau and mutant huntingtin (mHTT) act conjointly to drive neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. This perspective on disease etiology offers new avenues to design therapeutic interventions and could leverage decades of research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies to rapidly advance drug discovery. In this mini review, we examine the breadth of tau-targeting treatments currently tested in the preclinical and clinical settings for AD and other tauopathies, and discuss the potential application of these strategies to HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Masnata
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Shireen Salem
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Aurelie de Rus Jacquet
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mehwish Anwer
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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9
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Calabrese EJ, Bhatia TN, Calabrese V, Dhawan G, Giordano J, Hanekamp YN, Kapoor R, Kozumbo WJ, Leak RK. Cytotoxicity models of Huntington’s disease and relevance of hormetic mechanisms: A critical assessment of experimental approaches and strategies. Pharmacol Res 2019; 150:104371. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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10
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Bao H, Zhang Q, Liu X, Song Y, Li X, Wang Z, Li C, Peng A, Gong R. Lithium targeting of AMPK protects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by enhancing autophagy in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. FASEB J 2019; 33:14370-14381. [PMID: 31661633 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901712r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy has been demonstrated to be vital for kidney homeostasis and is centrally implicated in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Lithium is a potent autophagy inducer in a number of cell types. However, it remains uncertain whether its autophagic activity is associated with a beneficial effect on renal tubular cells in AKI. This study aimed to examine the effect of lithium on renal autophagy in cisplatin-induced AKI. Mice or renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in culture were exposed to cisplatin-induced acute injury in the presence or absence of lithium treatment. AKI or tubular cell injury was evaluated, and cell signaling associated with autophagy was examined. Lithium pretreatment prominently ameliorated acute renal tubular damage in mice exposed to cisplatin insult, associated with enhanced autophagy in renal tubules, as assessed by measuring microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)BII/I expression and autophagosome formation. Consistently, in cisplatin-injured renal tubular cells in vitro, lithium enhanced autophagic activities, improved cell viability, and attenuated cell death. Mechanistically, lithium triggered AMPK-α phosphorylation and activation, which in turn positively correlated with the induced expression of autophagy-related molecules, like mammalian target of rapamycin and LC3BII/I. AMPK-α activation is likely required for lithium-induced tubular cell autophagy and protection in cisplatin-induced AKI because blockade of AMPK-α phosphorylation by compound C markedly abrogated lithium-induced autophagosome formation and mitigated the protective effect of lithium on AKI. Our findings suggest that lithium represents a promising therapeutic strategy for protecting renal tubular cells against cisplatin-induced AKI by enhancing autophagy via AMPK-α activation.-Bao, H., Zhang, Q., Liu, X., Song, Y., Li, X., Wang, Z., Li, C., Peng, A., Gong, R. Lithium targeting of AMPK protects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by enhancing autophagy in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Bao
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Qianyun Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaxiang Song
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinhua Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Changbin Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ai Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Nephrology and Clinical Metabolomics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rujun Gong
- Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio, USA
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11
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Morton AJ, Skillings EA, Wood NI, Zheng Z. Antagonistic pleiotropy in mice carrying a CAG repeat expansion in the range causing Huntington's disease. Sci Rep 2019; 9:37. [PMID: 30631090 PMCID: PMC6328633 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37102-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antagonist pleiotropy, where a gene exerts a beneficial effect at early stages and a deleterious effect later on in an animal’s life, may explain the evolutionary persistence of devastating genetic diseases such as Huntington’s disease (HD). To date, however, there is little direct experimental evidence to support this theory. Here, we studied a transgenic mouse carrying the HD mutation with a repeat of 50 CAGs (R6/2_50) that is within the pathological range of repeats causing adult-onset disease in humans. R6/2_50 mice develop characteristic HD brain aggregate pathology, with aggregates appearing predominantly in the striatum and cortex. However, they show few signs of disease in their lifetime. On the contrary, R6/2_50 mice appear to benefit from carrying the mutation. They have extended lifespans compared to wildtype (WT) mice, and male mice show enhanced fecundity. Furthermore, R6/2_50 mice outperform WT mice on the rotarod and show equal or better performance in the two choice discrimination task than WT mice. This novel mouse line provides direct experimental evidence that, although the HD mutation causes a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, there may be premorbid benefits of carrying the mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Morton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.
| | - E A Skillings
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - N I Wood
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - Z Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
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12
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Relaño-Ginés A, Lehmann S, Brillaud E, Belondrade M, Casanova D, Hamela C, Vincent C, Poupeau S, Sarniguet J, Alvarez T, Arnaud JD, Maurel JC, Crozet C. Lithium as a disease-modifying agent for prion diseases. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:163. [PMID: 30135493 PMCID: PMC6105724 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0209-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases still remain incurable despite multiple efforts to develop a treatment. Therefore, it is important to find strategies to at least reduce the symptoms. Lithium has been considered as a neuroprotective agent for years, and the objective of this preclinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of lithium delivered as a water-in-oil microemulsion (Aonys®). This delivery system allows using low doses of lithium and to avoid the toxicity observed in chronic treatments. C57BL/6J mice were intracranially inoculated with ME7 prion-infected brain homogenates and then were treated with lithium from day 90 post inoculation until their death. Lithium was administered at traditional doses (16 mg/kg/day) by the gavage route and at lower doses (40 or 160 µg/kg/day; Aonys®) by the rectal mucosa route. Low doses of lithium (Aonys®) improved the survival of prion-inoculated mice, and also decreased vacuolization, astrogliosis, and neuronal loss compared with controls (vehicle alone). The extent of the protective effects in mice treated with low-dose lithium was comparable or even higher than what was observed in mice that received lithium at the traditional dose. These results indicate that lithium administered using this innovative delivery system could represent a potential therapeutic approach not only for prion diseases but also for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Relaño-Ginés
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Institut de Médecine Régénératrice et de Biothérapie (I.M.R.B.), Physiopathologie, diagnostic et thérapie cellulaire des affections neurodégénératives—Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Université de Montpellier U1183 Centre Hospitalo, Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France ,grid.433120.7Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - S. Lehmann
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Institut de Médecine Régénératrice et de Biothérapie (I.M.R.B.), Physiopathologie, diagnostic et thérapie cellulaire des affections neurodégénératives—Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Université de Montpellier U1183 Centre Hospitalo, Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France ,grid.433120.7Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - E. Brillaud
- Medesis Pharma SA, Avenue du Golf, Baillargues, France
| | - M. Belondrade
- grid.433120.7Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - D. Casanova
- grid.433120.7Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - C. Hamela
- grid.433120.7Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - C. Vincent
- Medesis Pharma SA, Avenue du Golf, Baillargues, France
| | - S. Poupeau
- Medesis Pharma SA, Avenue du Golf, Baillargues, France
| | - J. Sarniguet
- Medesis Pharma SA, Avenue du Golf, Baillargues, France
| | - T. Alvarez
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Etablissement Confiné d’Expérimentation BioCampus, Université Montpellier, Campus Triolet, Bâtiment 53, CECEMA, Montpellier, France
| | - J. D. Arnaud
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Etablissement Confiné d’Expérimentation BioCampus, Université Montpellier, Campus Triolet, Bâtiment 53, CECEMA, Montpellier, France
| | - J. C. Maurel
- Medesis Pharma SA, Avenue du Golf, Baillargues, France
| | - C. Crozet
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6Institut de Médecine Régénératrice et de Biothérapie (I.M.R.B.), Physiopathologie, diagnostic et thérapie cellulaire des affections neurodégénératives—Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Université de Montpellier U1183 Centre Hospitalo, Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France ,grid.433120.7Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-UPR1142, Montpellier, France
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13
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Zhang D, Wu L, Du Y, Zhu Y, Pan B, Xue X, Fu J. Autophagy inducers restore impaired autophagy, reduce apoptosis, and attenuate blunted alveolarization in hyperoxia-exposed newborn rats. Pediatr Pulmonol 2018; 53:1053-1066. [PMID: 29893049 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.24047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM Autophagy is a common process during development. Abnormal autophagy can impact cell apoptosis. Previous studies have shown that apoptosis is present during bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, there is no consensus on the level of coexisting autophagy. This study was designed to investigate the role of autophagy and the effects of autophagy inducers in a BPD model. METHOD A total of 100 newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to model and control groups. BPD models were established by hyperoxic induction(FiO2 0.80). Some of them were treated with autophagy-inducing agents. RESULT As compared to the control group, more autophagic bodies were found within Type II alveolar epithelial cells (AT-II cells) under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the model group at 3 d . These autophagic bodies were also accompanied by apoptotic bodies and expression of both bodies peaked at 7 d. As shown by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), there were more apoptotic cells in the model group than in the control group. Protein expression levels of LC3B-II, p62, Lamp1, and cleaved Caspase-3 increased with increased hyperoxic exposure time. No significant differences were observed in the mRNA expression levels of LC3B, p62, and Lamp1. After introducing an autophagy inducer, either rapamycin or lithium chloride, the radial alveolar count (RAC) value of BPD model group increased as compared with placebo group, the thickness of alveolar septum decreased, while apoptosis decreased. CONCLUSION Reduced autophagy resulting from blocked autophagy flow may be a key link in the pathogenesis of BPD. By enhancing repressed autophagy, apoptosis could be reduced and alveolar development improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Linlin Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanna Du
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuting Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bingting Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xindong Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianhua Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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14
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Duarte-Silva S, Maciel P. Pharmacological Therapies for Machado-Joseph Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:369-394. [PMID: 29427114 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is the most common autosomal dominant ataxia worldwide. MJD integrates a large group of disorders known as polyglutamine diseases (polyQ). To date, no effective treatment exists for MJD and other polyQ diseases. Nevertheless, researchers are making efforts to find treatment possibilities that modify the disease course or alleviate disease symptoms. Since neuroimaging studies in mutation carrying individuals suggest that in nervous system dysfunction begins many years before the onset of any detectable symptoms, the development of therapeutic interventions becomes of great importance, not only to slow progression of manifest disease but also to delay, or ideally prevent, its onset. Potential therapeutic targets for MJD and polyQ diseases can be divided into (i) those that are aimed at the polyQ proteins themselves, namely gene silencing, attempts to enhance mutant protein degradation or inhibition/prevention of aggregation; and (ii) those that intercept the toxic downstream effects of the polyQ proteins, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, transcriptional abnormalities, UPS impairment, excitotoxicity, or activation of cell death. The existence of relevant animal models and the recent contributions towards the identification of putative molecular mechanisms underlying MJD are impacting on the development of new drugs. To date only a few preclinical trials were conducted, nevertheless some had very promising results and some candidate drugs are close to being tested in humans. Clinical trials for MJD are also very few to date and their results not very promising, mostly due to trial design constraints. Here, we provide an overview of the pharmacological therapeutic strategies for MJD studied in animal models and patients, and of their possible translation into the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
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15
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Esteves S, Duarte-Silva S, Maciel P. Discovery of Therapeutic Approaches for Polyglutamine Diseases: A Summary of Recent Efforts. Med Res Rev 2016; 37:860-906. [PMID: 27870126 DOI: 10.1002/med.21425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders caused by the expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeats in the coding region of specific genes. This leads to the production of pathogenic proteins containing critically expanded tracts of glutamines. Although polyQ diseases are individually rare, the fact that these nine diseases are irreversibly progressive over 10 to 30 years, severely impairing and ultimately fatal, usually implicating the full-time patient support by a caregiver for long time periods, makes their economic and social impact quite significant. This has led several researchers worldwide to investigate the pathogenic mechanism(s) and therapeutic strategies for polyQ diseases. Although research in the field has grown notably in the last decades, we are still far from having an effective treatment to offer patients, and the decision of which compounds should be translated to the clinics may be very challenging. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and critical overview of the most recent drug discovery efforts in the field of polyQ diseases, including the most relevant findings emerging from two different types of approaches-hypothesis-based candidate molecule testing and hypothesis-free unbiased drug screenings. We hereby summarize and reflect on the preclinical studies as well as all the clinical trials performed to date, aiming to provide a useful framework for increasingly successful future drug discovery and development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
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16
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Lopes-Ramos CM, Pereira TC, Dogini DB, Gilioli R, Lopes-Cendes I. Lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 reduce cell death in a cell model of Machado-Joseph disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 49:e5805. [PMID: 27878228 PMCID: PMC5188859 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20165805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of the polyglutamine domain of the ataxin-3 (ATX3) protein. MJD/SCA3 is the most frequent autosomal dominant ataxia in many countries. The mechanism underlying MJD/SCA3 is thought to be mainly related to protein misfolding and aggregation leading to neuronal dysfunction followed by cell death. Currently, there are no effective treatments for patients with MJD/SCA3. Here, we report on the potential use of lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 to reduce cell death caused by the expanded ATX3 in cell culture. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and by flow cytometry after staining with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide. Treatment with lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 led to a significant increase in viability of cells expressing expanded ATX3 (Q84). In addition, we found that the increase in cell viability resulted from a significant reduction in the proportion of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, there was a significant change in the expanded ATX3 monomer/aggregate ratio after lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 treatment, with an increase in the monomer fraction and decrease in aggregates. The safety and tolerance of both drugs are well established; thus, our results indicate that lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 are good candidates for further in vivo therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Lopes-Ramos
- Departamento de Genética Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - T C Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - D B Dogini
- Departamento de Genética Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - R Gilioli
- Centro Multidisciplinar para Investigação Biológica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - I Lopes-Cendes
- Departamento de Genética Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
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17
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Glycogen synthase kinase 3β suppresses polyglutamine aggregation by inhibiting Vaccinia-related kinase 2 activity. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29097. [PMID: 27377031 PMCID: PMC4932512 DOI: 10.1038/srep29097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormal expansion of polyglutamine repeats in the N-terminal of huntingtin. The amount of aggregate-prone protein is controlled by various mechanisms, including molecular chaperones. Vaccinia-related kinase 2 (VRK2) is known to negatively regulate chaperonin TRiC, and VRK2-facilitated degradation of TRiC increases polyQ protein aggregation, which is involved in HD. We found that VRK2 activity was negatively controlled by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). GSK3β directly bound to VRK2 and inhibited the catalytic activity of VRK2 in a kinase activity-independent manner. Furthermore, GSK3β increased the stability of TRiC and decreased the formation of HttQ103-GFP aggregates by inhibiting VRK2. These results indicate that GSK3β signaling may be a regulatory mechanism of HD progression and suggest targets for further therapeutic trials for HD.
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18
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Eira J, Silva CS, Sousa MM, Liz MA. The cytoskeleton as a novel therapeutic target for old neurodegenerative disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 141:61-82. [PMID: 27095262 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytoskeleton defects, including alterations in microtubule stability, in axonal transport as well as in actin dynamics, have been characterized in several unrelated neurodegenerative conditions. These observations suggest that defects of cytoskeleton organization may be a common feature contributing to neurodegeneration. In line with this hypothesis, drugs targeting the cytoskeleton are currently being tested in animal models and in human clinical trials, showing promising effects. Drugs that modulate microtubule stability, inhibitors of posttranslational modifications of cytoskeletal components, specifically compounds affecting the levels of tubulin acetylation, and compounds targeting signaling molecules which regulate cytoskeleton dynamics, constitute the mostly addressed therapeutic interventions aiming at preventing cytoskeleton damage in neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we will discuss in a critical perspective the current knowledge on cytoskeleton damage pathways as well as therapeutic strategies designed to revert cytoskeleton-related defects mainly focusing on the following neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Eira
- Neurodegeneration Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Santos Silva
- Neurodegeneration Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Mendes Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal; Nerve Regeneration Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal
| | - Márcia Almeida Liz
- Neurodegeneration Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200 Porto, Portugal.
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19
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Lauterbach EC. Six psychotropics for pre-symptomatic & early Alzheimer's (MCI), Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease modification. Neural Regen Res 2016; 11:1712-1726. [PMID: 28123400 PMCID: PMC5204212 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.194708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The quest for neuroprotective drugs to slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD), has been largely unrewarding. Preclinical evidence suggests that repurposing quetiapine, lithium, valproate, fluoxetine, donepezil, and memantine for early and pre-symptomatic disease-modification in NDDs may be promising and can spare regulatory barriers. The literature of these psychotropics in early stage and pre-symptomatic AD, PD, and HD is reviewed and propitious findings follow. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) phase of AD: salutary human randomized controlled trial findings for low-dose lithium and, in selected patients, donepezil await replication. Pre-symptomatic AD: human epidemiological data indicate that lithium reduces AD risk. Animal model studies (AMS) reveal encouraging results for quetiapine, lithium, donepezil, and memantine. Early PD: valproate AMS findings show promise. Pre-symptomatic PD: lithium and valproate AMS findings are encouraging. Early HD: uncontrolled clinical data indicate non-progression with lithium, fluoxetine, donepezil, and memantine. Pre-symptomatic HD: lithium and valproate are auspicious in AMS. Many other promising findings awaiting replication (valproate in MCI; lithium, valproate, fluoxetine in pre-symptomatic AD; lithium in early PD; lithium, valproate, fluoxetine in pre-symptomatic PD; donepezil in early HD; lithium, fluoxetine, memantine in pre-symptomatic HD) are reviewed. Dose- and stage-dependent effects are considered. Suggestions for signal-enhancement in human trials are provided for each NDD stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward C Lauterbach
- Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurology, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA
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20
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Duarte-Silva S, Silva-Fernandes A, Neves-Carvalho A, Soares-Cunha C, Teixeira-Castro A, Maciel P. Combined therapy with m-TOR-dependent and -independent autophagy inducers causes neurotoxicity in a mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease. Neuroscience 2015; 313:162-73. [PMID: 26601773 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A major pathological hallmark in several neurodegenerative disorders, like polyglutamine disorders (polyQ), including Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is the formation of protein aggregates. MJD is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN3 gene, resulting in an abnormal protein, which is prone to misfolding and forms cytoplasmic and nuclear aggregates within neurons, ultimately inducing neurodegeneration. Treatment of proteinopathies with drugs that up-regulate autophagy has shown promising results in models of polyQ diseases. Temsirolimus (CCI-779) inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR), while lithium chloride (LiCl) acts by inhibiting inositol monophosphatase, both being able to induce autophagy. We have previously shown that chronic treatment with LiCl (10.4 mg/kg) had limited effects in a transgenic MJD mouse model. Also, others have shown that CCI-779 had mild positive effects in a different mouse model of the disease. It has been suggested that the combination of mTOR-dependent and -independent autophagy inducers could be a more effective therapeutic approach. To further explore this avenue toward therapy, we treated CMVMJD135 transgenic mice with a conjugation of CCI-779 and LiCl, both at concentrations known to induce autophagy and not to be toxic. Surprisingly, this combined treatment proved to be deleterious to both wild-type (wt) and transgenic animals, failing to rescue their neurological symptoms and actually exerting neurotoxic effects. These results highlight the possible dangers of manipulating autophagy in the nervous system and suggest that a better understanding of the potential disruption in the autophagy pathway in MJD is required before successful long-term autophagy modulating therapies can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A Silva-Fernandes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A Neves-Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - P Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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21
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Lazzara CA, Kim YH. Potential application of lithium in Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:403. [PMID: 26578864 PMCID: PMC4621308 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium, the long-standing hallmark treatment for bipolar disorder, has recently been identified as a potential neuroprotective agent in neurodegeneration. Here we focus on introducing numerous in vitro and in vivo studies that have shown lithium treatment to be efficacious in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, increasing autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis, and decreasing the accumulation of α-synulcein, with an emphasis on Parkinson's disease. A number of biological pathways have been shown to be involved in causing these neuroprotective effects. The inhibition of GSK-3β has been the mechanism most studied; however, other modes of action include the regulation of apoptotic proteins and glutamate excitotoxicity as well as down-regulation of calpain. This review provides a framework of the neuroprotective effects of lithium in neurodegenerative diseases and the putative mechanisms by which lithium provides the protection. Lithium-only treatment may not be a suitable therapeutic option for neurodegenerative diseases due to inconsistent efficacy and potential side-effects, however, the use of low dose lithium in combination with other potential or existing therapeutic compounds may be a promising approach to reduce symptoms and disease progression in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Lazzara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University Dover, DE, USA
| | - Yong-Hwan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University Dover, DE, USA
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22
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Duarte-Silva S, Neves-Carvalho A, Soares-Cunha C, Teixeira-Castro A, Oliveira P, Silva-Fernandes A, Maciel P. Lithium chloride therapy fails to improve motor function in a transgenic mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 13:713-27. [PMID: 25112410 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0589-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of misfolded proteins in neurons, leading to the formation of cytoplasmic and nuclear aggregates, is a common theme in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, possibly due to disturbances of the proteostasis and insufficient activity of cellular protein clearance pathways. Lithium is a well-known autophagy inducer that exerts neuroprotective effects in different conditions and has been proposed as a promising therapeutic agent for several neurodegenerative diseases. We tested the efficacy of chronic lithium (10.4 mg/kg) treatment in a transgenic mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disease, caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine tract within the protein ataxin-3. A battery of behavioral tests was used to assess disease progression. In spite of activating autophagy, as suggested by the increased levels of Beclin-1, Atg7, and LC3-II, and a reduction in the p62 protein levels, lithium administration showed no overall beneficial effects in this model concerning motor performance, showing a positive impact only in the reduction of tremors at 24 weeks of age. Our results do not support lithium chronic treatment as a promising strategy for the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
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23
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Fernández-Nogales M, Hernández F, Miguez A, Alberch J, Ginés S, Pérez-Navarro E, Lucas JJ. Decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3 levels and activity contribute to Huntington's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5040-52. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Forlenza OV, De-Paula VJR, Diniz BSO. Neuroprotective effects of lithium: implications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci 2014; 5:443-50. [PMID: 24766396 DOI: 10.1021/cn5000309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium is a well-established therapeutic option for the acute and long-term management of bipolar disorder and major depression. More recently, based on findings from translational research, lithium has also been regarded as a neuroprotective agent and a candidate drug for disease-modification in certain neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and, more recently, Parkinson's disease (PD). The putative neuroprotective effects of lithium rely on the fact that it modulates several homeostatic mechanisms involved in neurotrophic response, autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial function. Such a wide range of intracellular responses may be secondary to two key effects, that is, the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) and inositol monophosphatase (IMP) by lithium. In the present review, we revisit the neurobiological properties of lithium in light of the available evidence of its neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties, and discuss the rationale for its use in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. V. Forlenza
- Laboratory
of Neuroscience (LIM-27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - V. J. R. De-Paula
- Laboratory
of Neuroscience (LIM-27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - B. S. O. Diniz
- Department
of Mental Health and National Institute of Science and Technology,
Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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25
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Meffre D, Grenier J, Bernard S, Courtin F, Dudev T, Shackleford G, Jafarian-Tehrani M, Massaad C. Wnt and lithium: a common destiny in the therapy of nervous system pathologies? Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1123-48. [PMID: 23749084 PMCID: PMC11113114 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1378-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is required for neurogenesis, the fate of neural progenitors, the formation of neuronal circuits during development, neuron positioning and polarization, axon and dendrite development and finally for synaptogenesis. This signaling pathway is also implicated in the generation and differentiation of glial cells. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of action of Wnt signaling pathways and their implication in the development and correct functioning of the nervous system. We also illustrate how a dysregulated Wnt pathway could lead to psychiatric, neurodegenerative and demyelinating pathologies. Lithium, used for the treatment of bipolar disease, inhibits GSK3β, a central enzyme of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, lithium could, to some extent, mimic Wnt pathway. We highlight the possible dialogue between lithium therapy and modulation of Wnt pathway in the treatment of the diseases of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Meffre
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Julien Grenier
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Sophie Bernard
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Françoise Courtin
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Todor Dudev
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 11529 Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1 James Bourchier Avenue, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Charbel Massaad
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
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26
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Saute JAM, de Castilhos RM, Monte TL, Schumacher-Schuh AF, Donis KC, D'Ávila R, Souza GN, Russo AD, Furtado GV, Gheno TC, de Souza DOG, Portela LVC, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Camey SA, Torman VBL, de Mello Rieder CR, Jardim LB. A randomized, phase 2 clinical trial of lithium carbonate in Machado-Joseph disease. Mov Disord 2014; 29:568-73. [PMID: 24399647 DOI: 10.1002/mds.25803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because lithium exerts neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of polyglutamine disorders, our objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of lithium carbonate (0.5-0.8 milliequivalents per liter) in patients with Machado-Joseph disease (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 [MJD/SCA3]). METHODS For this phase 2, single-center, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01096082), 62 patients who had MJD/SCA3 with a disease duration ≤10 years and an independent gait were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either lithium or placebo. RESULTS After 24 weeks, 169 adverse events were reported, including 50.3% in the lithium group (P = 1.00; primary safety outcome). Sixty patients (31 in the placebo group and 29 in the lithium group) were analyzed for efficacy (intention-to-treat analysis). Mean progression between groups did not differ according to scores on the Neurological Examination Score for the Assessment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NESSCA) after 48 weeks (-0.35; 95% confidence interval, -1.7 to 1.0; primary efficacy outcome). The lithium group exhibited minor progression on the PATA speech-rate (P = 0.002), the nondominant Click Test (P = 0.023), the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Functional Index (P = 0.003), and the Composite Cerebellar Functional Score (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Lithium was safe and well tolerated, but it had no effect on progression when measured using the NESSCA in patients with MJD/SCA3. This slowdown in secondary outcomes deserves further clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Medical Genetics, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Abstract
Changes in the level and activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been described in a number of neurodegenerative disorders since early 1990s. However, only in Huntington disease (HD) gain- and loss-of-function experiments have mechanistically linked these abnormalities with the genetic defect.In this chapter we will describe how huntingtin protein, whose mutation causes HD, is involved in the physiological control of BDNF synthesis and transport in neurons and how both processes are simultaneously disrupted in HD. We will describe the underlying molecular mechanisms and discuss pre-clinical data concerning the impact of the experimental manipulation of BDNF levels on HD progression. These studies have revealed that a major loss of BDNF protein in the brain of HD patients may contribute to the clinical manifestations of the disease. The experimental strategies under investigation to increase brain BDNF levels in animal models of HD will also be described, with a view to ultimately improving the clinical treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Zuccato
- Department of Biosciences and Centre for Stem cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Viotti 3/5, 20133, Milan, Italy,
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Chakraborty J, Rajamma U, Mohanakumar KP. A mitochondrial basis for Huntington's disease: therapeutic prospects. Mol Cell Biochem 2013; 389:277-91. [PMID: 24374792 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-013-1951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disease, with overt movement dysfunctions. Despite focused research on the basis of neurodegeneration in HD for last few decades, the mechanism for the site-specific lesion of neurons in the brain is not clear. All the explanations that partially clarify the phenomenon of neurodegeneration leads to one organelle, mitochondrion, which is severely affected in HD at the level of electron transport chain, Ca(2+) buffering efficiency and morphology. But, with the existing knowledge, it is not clear whether the cell death processes in HD initiate from mitochondria, though the Huntingtin (Htt) aggregates show close proximity to this organelle, or do some extracellular stimuli like TNFα or FasL trigger the process. Mainly because of the disparity in the different available experimental models, the results are quite confusing or at least inconsistent to a great extent. The fact remains that the mutant Htt protein was seen to be associated with mitochondria directly, and as the striatum is highly enriched with dopamine and glutamate, it may make the striatal mitochondria more vulnerable because of the presence of dopa-quinones, and due to an imbalance in Ca(2+). The current therapeutic strategies are based on symptomatic relief, and, therefore, mainly target neurotransmitter(s) and their receptors to modulate behavioral outputs, but none of them targets mitochondria or try to address the basic molecular events that cause neurons to die in discrete regions of the brain, which could probably be resulting from grave mitochondrial dysfunctions. Therefore, targeting mitochondria for their protection, while addressing symptomatic recovery, holds a great potential to tone down the progression of the disease, and to provide better relief to the patients and caretakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, Division of Cell Biology & Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Rooms 117&119, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700 032, India
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Lauterbach EC. Neuroprotective effects of psychotropic drugs in Huntington's disease. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:22558-603. [PMID: 24248060 PMCID: PMC3856079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychotropics (antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, anxiolytics, etc.) are commonly prescribed to treat Huntington’s disease (HD). In HD preclinical models, while no psychotropic has convincingly affected huntingtin gene, HD modifying gene, or huntingtin protein expression, psychotropic neuroprotective effects include upregulated huntingtin autophagy (lithium), histone acetylation (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine), miR-222 (lithium-plus-valproate), mitochondrial protection (haloperidol, trifluoperazine, imipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, maprotiline, trazodone, sertraline, venlafaxine, melatonin), neurogenesis (lithium, valproate, fluoxetine, sertraline), and BDNF (lithium, valproate, sertraline) and downregulated AP-1 DNA binding (lithium), p53 (lithium), huntingtin aggregation (antipsychotics, lithium), and apoptosis (trifluoperazine, loxapine, lithium, desipramine, nortriptyline, maprotiline, cyproheptadine, melatonin). In HD live mouse models, delayed disease onset (nortriptyline, melatonin), striatal preservation (haloperidol, tetrabenazine, lithium, sertraline), memory preservation (imipramine, trazodone, fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine), motor improvement (tetrabenazine, lithium, valproate, imipramine, nortriptyline, trazodone, sertraline, venlafaxine), and extended survival (lithium, valproate, sertraline, melatonin) have been documented. Upregulated CREB binding protein (CBP; valproate, dextromethorphan) and downregulated histone deacetylase (HDAC; valproate) await demonstration in HD models. Most preclinical findings await replication and their limitations are reviewed. The most promising findings involve replicated striatal neuroprotection and phenotypic disease modification in transgenic mice for tetrabenazine and for sertraline. Clinical data consist of an uncontrolled lithium case series (n = 3) suggesting non-progression and a primarily negative double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lamotrigine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward C Lauterbach
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, 655 First Street, Macon, GA 31201, USA.
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Wu S, Zheng SD, Huang HL, Yan LC, Yin XF, Xu HN, Zhang KJ, Gui JH, Chu L, Liu XY. Lithium down-regulates histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and induces degradation of mutant huntingtin. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:35500-10. [PMID: 24165128 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.479865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium is an effective mood stabilizer that has been clinically used to treat bipolar disorder for several decades. Recent studies have suggested that lithium possesses robust neuroprotective and anti-tumor properties. Thus far, a large number of lithium targets have been discovered. Here, we report for the first time that HDAC1 is a target of lithium. Lithium significantly down-regulated HDAC1 at the translational level by targeting HDAC1 mRNA. We also showed that depletion of HDAC1 is essential for the neuroprotective effects of lithium and for the lithium-mediated degradation of mutant huntingtin through the autophagic pathway. Our studies explain the multiple functions of lithium and reveal a novel mechanism for the function of lithium in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wu
- From the State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China and
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31
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Avrahami L, Licht-Murava A, Eisenstein M, Eldar-Finkelman H. GSK-3 inhibition: Achieving moderate efficacy with high selectivity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:1410-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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32
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Chiu CT, Wang Z, Hunsberger JG, Chuang DM. Therapeutic potential of mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid: beyond bipolar disorder. Pharmacol Rev 2013; 65:105-42. [PMID: 23300133 PMCID: PMC3565922 DOI: 10.1124/pr.111.005512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid (VPA) are traditionally used to treat bipolar disorder (BD), a severe mental illness arising from complex interactions between genes and environment that drive deficits in cellular plasticity and resiliency. The therapeutic potential of these drugs in other central nervous system diseases is also gaining support. This article reviews the various mechanisms of action of lithium and VPA gleaned from cellular and animal models of neurologic, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical evidence is included when available to provide a comprehensive perspective of the field and to acknowledge some of the limitations of these treatments. First, the review describes how action at these drugs' primary targets--glycogen synthase kinase-3 for lithium and histone deacetylases for VPA--induces the transcription and expression of neurotrophic, angiogenic, and neuroprotective proteins. Cell survival signaling cascades, oxidative stress pathways, and protein quality control mechanisms may further underlie lithium and VPA's beneficial actions. The ability of cotreatment to augment neuroprotection and enhance stem cell homing and migration is also discussed, as are microRNAs as new therapeutic targets. Finally, preclinical findings have shown that the neuroprotective benefits of these agents facilitate anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, blood-brain barrier integrity, and disease-specific neuroprotection. These mechanisms can be compared with dysregulated disease mechanisms to suggest core cellular and molecular disturbances identifiable by specific risk biomarkers. Future clinical endeavors are warranted to determine the therapeutic potential of lithium and VPA across the spectrum of central nervous system diseases, with particular emphasis on a personalized medicine approach toward treating these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tso Chiu
- Molecular Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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33
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Pouladi MA, Brillaud E, Xie Y, Conforti P, Graham RK, Ehrnhoefer DE, Franciosi S, Zhang W, Poucheret P, Compte E, Maurel JC, Zuccato C, Cattaneo E, Néri C, Hayden MR. NP03, a novel low-dose lithium formulation, is neuroprotective in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington disease. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 48:282-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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34
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Chiu CT, Chuang DM. Neuroprotective action of lithium in disorders of the central nervous system. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2012; 36:461-76. [PMID: 21743136 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-7347.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Substantial in vitro and in vivo evidence of neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of lithium suggests that it may also have considerable potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. Lithium's main mechanisms of action appear to stem from its ability to inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity and also to induce signaling mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This in turn alters a wide variety of downstream effectors, with the ultimate effect of enhancing pathways to cell survival. In addition, lithium contributes to calcium homeostasis. By inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated calcium influx, for instance, it suppresses the calcium-dependent activation of pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. By inhibiting the activity of phosphoinositol phosphatases, it decreases levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, a process recently identified as a novel mechanism for inducing autophagy. These mechanisms allow therapeutic doses of lithium to protect neuronal cells from diverse insults that would otherwise lead to massive cell death. Lithium, moreover, has been shown to improve behavioral and cognitive deficits in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, and Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Since lithium is already FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder, our conclusions support the notion that its clinical relevance can be expanded to include the treatment of several neurological and neurodegenerative-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tso Chiu
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1363, Bethesda, MD 20892-1363, USA
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35
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Switonski PM, Szlachcic WJ, Gabka A, Krzyzosiak WJ, Figiel M. Mouse models of polyglutamine diseases in therapeutic approaches: review and data table. Part II. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 46:430-66. [PMID: 22944909 PMCID: PMC3461214 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of human diseases are created both to understand the pathogenesis of the disorders and to find successful therapies for them. This work is the second part in a series of reviews of mouse models of polyglutamine (polyQ) hereditary disorders and focuses on in vivo experimental therapeutic approaches. Like part I of the polyQ mouse model review, this work is supplemented with a table that contains data from experimental studies of therapeutic approaches in polyQ mouse models. The aim of this review was to characterize the benefits and outcomes of various therapeutic strategies in mouse models. We examine whether the therapeutic strategies are specific to a single disease or are applicable to more than one polyQ disorder in mouse models. In addition, we discuss the suitability of mouse models in therapeutic approaches. Although the majority of therapeutic studies were performed in mouse models of Huntington disease, similar strategies were also used in other disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel M Switonski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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36
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Forlenza OV, de Paula VJ, Machado-Vieira R, Diniz BS, Gattaz WF. Does lithium prevent Alzheimer's disease? Drugs Aging 2012; 29:335-42. [PMID: 22500970 DOI: 10.2165/11599180-000000000-00000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lithium salts have a well-established role in the treatment of major affective disorders. More recently, experimental and clinical studies have provided evidence that lithium may also exert neuroprotective effects. In animal and cell culture models, lithium has been shown to increase neuronal viability through a combination of mechanisms that includes the inhibition of apoptosis, regulation of autophagy, increased mitochondrial function, and synthesis of neurotrophic factors. In humans, lithium treatment has been associated with humoral and structural evidence of neuroprotection, such as increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes, inhibition of cellular oxidative stress, synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cortical thickening, increased grey matter density, and hippocampal enlargement. Recent studies addressing the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3B) by lithium have further suggested the modification of biological cascades that pertain to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A recent placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) showed that long-term lithium treatment may actually slow the progression of cognitive and functional deficits, and also attenuate Tau hyperphosphorylation in the MCI-AD continuum. Therefore, lithium treatment may yield disease-modifying effects in AD, both by the specific modification of its pathophysiology via inhibition of overactive GSK3B, and by the unspecific provision of neurotrophic and neuroprotective support. Although the clinical evidence available so far is promising, further experimentation and replication of the evidence in large scale clinical trials is still required to assess the benefit of lithium in the treatment or prevention of cognitive decline in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestes V Forlenza
- Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM-27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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37
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Combined treatment with the mood stabilizers lithium and valproate produces multiple beneficial effects in transgenic mouse models of Huntington's disease. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:2406-21. [PMID: 21796107 PMCID: PMC3194069 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the mood stabilizers lithium and valproate (VPA) have broad neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties, and that these occur via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), respectively. Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired movement, cognitive and psychiatric disturbances, and premature death. We treated N171-82Q and YAC128 mice, two mouse models of HD varying in genetic backgrounds and pathological progressions, with a diet containing therapeutic doses of lithium, VPA, or both. Untreated, these transgenic mice displayed a decrease in levels of GSK-3β serine 9 phosphorylation and histone H3 acetylation in the striatum and cerebral cortex around the onset of behavioral deficits, indicating a hyperactivity of GSK-3β and HDACs. Using multiple well-validated behavioral tests, we found that co-treatment with lithium and VPA more effectively alleviated spontaneous locomotor deficits and depressive-like behaviors in both models of HD mice. Furthermore, compared with monotherapy with either drug alone, co-treatment more successfully improved motor skill learning and coordination in N171-82Q mice, and suppressed anxiety-like behaviors in YAC128 mice. This combined treatment consistently inhibited GSK-3β and HDACs, and caused a sustained elevation in striatal as well as cortical brain-derived neurotrophic factor and heat shock protein 70. Importantly, co-treatment markedly prolonged median survival of N171-82Q mice from 31.6 to 41.6 weeks. Given that there is presently no proven treatment for HD, our results suggest that combined treatment with lithium and VPA, two mood stabilizers with a long history of safe use in humans, may have important therapeutic potential for HD patients.
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Eldar-Finkelman H, Martinez A. GSK-3 Inhibitors: Preclinical and Clinical Focus on CNS. Front Mol Neurosci 2011; 4:32. [PMID: 22065134 PMCID: PMC3204427 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2011.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity via pharmacological intervention has become an important strategy for treating neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. The known GSK-3 inhibitors are of diverse chemotypes and mechanisms of action and include compounds isolated from natural sources, cations, synthetic small-molecule ATP-competitive inhibitors, non-ATP-competitive inhibitors, and substrate-competitive inhibitors. Here we describe the variety of GSK-3 inhibitors with a specific emphasis on their biological activities in neurons and neurological disorders. We further highlight our current progress in the development of non-ATP-competitive inhibitors of GSK-3. The available data raise the hope that one or more of these drug design approaches will prove successful at stabilizing or even reversing the aberrant neuropathology and cognitive deficits of certain central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagit Eldar-Finkelman
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv, Israel
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39
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Giles P, Elliston L, Higgs GV, Brooks SP, Dunnett SB, Jones L. Longitudinal analysis of gene expression and behaviour in the HdhQ150 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Brain Res Bull 2011; 88:199-209. [PMID: 22001697 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Revised: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Substantial transcriptional changes are seen in Huntington's disease (HD) brain and parallel early changes in gene expression are observed in mouse models of HD. Analysis of behaviour in such models also shows substantial deficits in motor, learning and memory tasks. We examined the changes in the transcriptional profile in the HdhQ150 mouse model of HD at 6, 12 and 18 months and correlated these changes with the behavioural tasks the animals had undertaken. Changes in gene expression over time showed a significant enrichment of RNAs altered in abundance that related to cognition in both HdhQ150 and wild-type animals. The most significantly down-regulated mRNA between genotypes over the whole time-course was Htt itself. Other changes between genotypes identified at 6 months related to chromatin organization and structure, whilst at 18 months changes related mainly to intracellular signalling. Correlation of the changes in gene product abundance with phenotypic changes revealed that weight and detection of the opposite position of the platform in the water maze seemed to correlate with the chromatin alterations whereas changes in the rotarod performance related mainly to intracellular signalling and homeostasis. These results implicate alterations in specific molecular pathways that may underpin changes in different behavioural tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Giles
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
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40
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Bolbecker AR, Hong SL, Kent JS, Klaunig MJ, O'Donnell BF, Hetrick WP. Postural control in bipolar disorder: increased sway area and decreased dynamical complexity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19824. [PMID: 21611126 PMCID: PMC3097205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural, neurochemical, and functional abnormalities have been identified in
the brains of individuals with bipolar disorder, including in key brain
structures implicated in postural control, i.e. the cerebellum, brainstem, and
basal ganglia. Given these findings, we tested the hypothesis that postural
control deficits are present in individuals with bipolar disorder. Sixteen
participants with bipolar disorder (BD) and 16 age-matched non-psychiatric
healthy controls were asked to stand as still as possible on a force platform
for 2 minutes under 4 conditions: (1) eyes open-open base; (2) eyes closed-open
base; (3) eyes open-closed base; and (4) eyes closed-closed base. Postural sway
data were submitted to conventional quantitative analyses of the magnitude of
sway area using the center of pressure measurement. In addition, data were
submitted to detrended fluctuation analysis, a nonlinear dynamical systems
analytic technique that measures complexity of a time-series, on both the
anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions. The bipolar disorder group had
increased sway area, indicative of reduced postural control. Decreased
complexity in the medio-lateral direction was also observed for the bipolar
disorder group, suggesting both a reduction in dynamic range available to them
for postural control, and that their postural corrections were primarily
dominated by longer time-scales. On both of these measures, significant
interactions between diagnostic group and visual condition were also observed,
suggesting that the BD participants were impaired in their ability to make
corrections to their sway pattern when no visual information was available.
Greater sway magnitude and reduced complexity suggest that individuals with
bipolar disorder have deficits in sensorimotor integration and a reduced range
of timescales available on which to make postural corrections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R. Bolbecker
- Department of Psychological and Brain
Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of
America
- Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital,
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - S. Lee Hong
- Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jerillyn S. Kent
- Department of Psychological and Brain
Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of
America
| | - Mallory J. Klaunig
- Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital,
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Brian F. O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain
Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of
America
- Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital,
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University
School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - William P. Hetrick
- Department of Psychological and Brain
Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of
America
- Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital,
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University
School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Chiu CT, Chuang DM. Molecular actions and therapeutic potential of lithium in preclinical and clinical studies of CNS disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2010; 128:281-304. [PMID: 20705090 PMCID: PMC3167234 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lithium has been used clinically to treat bipolar disorder for over half a century, and remains a fundamental pharmacological therapy for patients with this illness. Although lithium's therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood, substantial in vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that it has neuroprotective/neurotrophic properties against various insults, and considerable clinical potential for the treatment of several neurodegenerative conditions. Evidence from pharmacological and gene manipulation studies support the notion that glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition and induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated signaling are lithium's main mechanisms of action, leading to enhanced cell survival pathways and alteration of a wide variety of downstream effectors. By inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated calcium influx, lithium also contributes to calcium homeostasis and suppresses calcium-dependent activation of pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. In addition, lithium decreases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate by inhibiting phosphoinositol phosphatases, a process recently identified as a novel mechanism for inducing autophagy. Through these mechanisms, therapeutic doses of lithium have been demonstrated to defend neuronal cells against diverse forms of death insults and to improve behavioral as well as cognitive deficits in various animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, as well as Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases, among others. Several clinical trials are also underway to assess the therapeutic effects of lithium for treating these disorders. This article reviews the most recent findings regarding the potential targets involved in lithium's neuroprotective effects, and the implication of these findings for the treatment of a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tso Chiu
- Molecular Neurobiology Section, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1363, Bethesda, MD 20892-1363, USA
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Crespo-Biel N, Camins A, Canudas AM, Pallàs M. Kainate-induced toxicity in the hippocampus: potential role of lithium. Bipolar Disord 2010; 12:425-36. [PMID: 20636640 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2010.00825.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated the neuroprotective effects of lithium in an experimental neurodegeneration model gated to kainate (KA) receptor activation. METHODS The hippocampus from KA-treated mice and hippocampal cell cultures were used to evaluate the pathways regulated by chronic lithium pretreatment in both in vivo and in vitro models. RESULTS Treatment with KA, as measured by fragmentation of alpha-spectrin and biochemically, induced the activation of calpain resulting in p35 cleavage to p25, indicating activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5) and glycogen synthase kinase-3ss (GSK-3ss) and an increase in tau protein phosphorylation. Treatment with lithium reduced calpain activation and reduced the effects of cdk5 and GSK-3ss on tau. KA treatment of cultures resulted in neuronal demise. According to nuclear condensed cell counts, the addition of lithium to neuronal cell cultures (0.5-1 mM) a few days before KA treatment had neuroprotective and also antiapoptotic effects. The action of lithium on calpain/cdk5 and GSK-3ss pathways produced similar results in vivo. As calpain is activated by an increase in intracellular calcium, we showed that lithium reduced calcium concentrations in basal and KA-treated hippocampal cells, which was accompanied by an increase in NCX3, a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger pump. CONCLUSION A robust neuroprotective effect of lithium in the excitotoxic process induced by KA in mouse hippocampus was demonstrated via modulation of calcium entry and the subsequent inhibition of the calpain pathway. These mechanisms may act in an additive way with other mechanisms previously described for lithium, suggesting that it may be useful as a possible therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Crespo-Biel
- Unitat de Farmacologia i Farmacognòsia i Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB) i Centro de Investigación de Biomedicina en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, Barcelona, Spain
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Wood NI, Carta V, Milde S, Skillings EA, McAllister CJ, Ang YLM, Duguid A, Wijesuriya N, Afzal SM, Fernandes JX, Leong TW, Morton AJ, Morton J. Responses to environmental enrichment differ with sex and genotype in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9077. [PMID: 20174443 PMCID: PMC2820540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 01/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental enrichment (EE) in laboratory animals improves neurological function and motor/cognitive performance, and is proposed as a strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. EE has been investigated in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease (HD), where increased social interaction, sensory stimulation, exploration, and physical activity improved survival. We have also shown previously that HD patients and R6/2 mice have disrupted circadian rhythms, treatment of which may improve cognition, general health, and survival. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We examined the effects of EE on the behavioral phenotype and circadian activity of R6/2 mice. Our mice are typically housed in an "enriched" environment, so the EE that the mice received was in addition to these enhanced housing conditions. Mice were either kept in their home cages or exposed daily to the EE (a large playground box containing running wheels and other toys). The "home cage" and "playground" groups were subdivided into "handling" (stimulated throughout the experimental period) and "no-handling" groups. All mice were assessed for survival, body weight, and cognitive performance in the Morris water maze (MWM). Mice in the playground groups were more active throughout the enrichment period than home cage mice. Furthermore, R6/2 mice in the EE/no-handling groups had better survival than those in the home cage/no-handling groups. Sex differences were seen in response to EE. Handling was detrimental to R6/2 female mice, but EE increased the body weight of male R6/2 and WT mice in the handling group. EE combined with handling significantly improved MWM performance in female, but not male, R6/2 mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We show that even when mice are living in an enriched home cage, further EE had beneficial effects. However, the improvements in cognition and survival vary with sex and genotype. These results indicate that EE may improve the quality of life of HD patients, but we suggest that EE as a therapy should be tailored to individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel I Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a relentless neurodegenerative disease that results in profound disability through a triad of motor, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. At present, there are very few therapeutic interventions available with the exception of a limited number of drugs that offer mild symptomatic relief. Although the genetic basis of the disease has been identified, the mechanisms behind the cellular pathogenesis are still not clear and as a result no candidate drugs with the potential for disease modification have been found clinically until now. One of the major limitations in assessing the usefulness of drug treatments in HD is the lack of well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Most studies have been open-label, using a small number of patients and tend to concentrate on the motor features of the disease, primarily the chorea. This review discusses the treatments now used for HD before evaluating the newer drugs at present being explored in both the clinic and in the laboratory in mouse models of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Mason
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, ED Adrian Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB20PY, UK.
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Machado-Vieira R, Manji HK, Zarate CA. The role of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder: convergent evidence for neurotrophic effects as a unifying hypothesis. Bipolar Disord 2009; 11 Suppl 2:92-109. [PMID: 19538689 PMCID: PMC2800957 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2009.00714.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lithium has been and continues to be the mainstay of bipolar disorder (BD) pharmacotherapy for acute mood episodes, switch prevention, prophylactic treatment, and suicide prevention. Lithium is also the definitive proof-of-concept agent in BD, although it has recently been studied in other psychoses as well as diverse neurodegenerative disorders. Its neurotrophic effects can be viewed as a unifying model to explain several integrated aspects of the pathophysiology of mood disorders and putative therapeutics for those disorders. Enhancing neuroprotection (which directly involves neurotrophic effects) is a therapeutic strategy intended to slow or halt the progression of neuronal loss, thus producing long-term benefits by favorably influencing outcome and preventing either the onset of disease or clinical decline. The present article: (i) reviews what has been learned regarding lithium's neurotrophic effects since Cade's original studies with this compound; (ii) presents human data supporting the presence of cellular atrophy and death in BD as well as neurotrophic effects associated with lithium in human studies; (iii) describes key direct targets of lithium involved in these neurotrophic effects, including neurotrophins, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), and mitochondrial/endoplasmic reticulum key proteins; and (iv) discusses lithium's neurotrophic effects in models of apoptosis and excitotoxicity as well as its potential neurotrophic effects in models of neurological disorders. Taken together, the evidence reviewed here suggests that lithium's neurotrophic effects in BD are an example of an old molecule acting as a new proof-of-concept agent. Continued work to decipher lithium's molecular actions will likely lead to the development of not only improved therapeutics for BD, but to neurotrophic enhancers that could prove useful in the treatment of many other illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Machado-Vieira
- Experimental Therapeutics, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research Program, NIMH-NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD
| | - Husseini K Manji
- Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Titusville, NJ, USA
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research Program, NIMH-NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD
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Crespo-Biel N, Camins A, Pallàs M, Canudas A. Evidence of calpain/cdk5 pathway inhibition by lithium in 3-nitropropionic acid toxicity in vivo and in vitro. Neuropharmacology 2009; 56:422-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2008] [Revised: 09/09/2008] [Accepted: 09/15/2008] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Gil JM, Rego AC. The R6 lines of transgenic mice: a model for screening new therapies for Huntington's disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 59:410-31. [PMID: 19118572 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2008] [Revised: 12/07/2008] [Accepted: 12/09/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the HD gene that results in cortical and striatal degeneration, and mutant huntingtin aggregation. Current treatments are unsatisfactory. R6 transgenic mice replicate many features of the human condition, show early onset of symptoms and fast disease progression, being one of the most used models for therapy screening. Here we review the therapies that have been tested in these mice: environmental enrichment, inhibition of histone deacetylation and methylation, inhibition of misfolding and oligomerization, transglutaminase inhibition, rescue of metabolic impairment, amelioration of the diabetic phenotype, use of antioxidants, inhibition of excitotoxicity, caspase inhibition, transplantation, genetic manipulations, and restoration of neurogenesis. Although many of these treatments were beneficial in R6 mice, they may not be as effective in HD patients, and thus the search for a combination of therapies that will rescue the human condition continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana M Gil
- Division of Medical Sciences, Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
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Sarkar S, Rubinsztein DC. Huntington's disease: degradation of mutant huntingtin by autophagy. FEBS J 2008; 275:4263-70. [PMID: 18637946 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06562.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a nonspecific bulk degradation pathway for long-lived cytoplasmic proteins, protein complexes, or damaged organelles. This process is also a major degradation pathway for many aggregate-prone, disease-causing proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as mutant huntingtin in Huntington's disease. In this review, we discuss factors regulating the degradation of mutant huntingtin by autophagy. We also report the growing list of new drugs/pathways that upregulate autophagy to enhance the clearance of this mutant protein, as autophagy upregulation may be a tractable strategy for the treatment of Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sovan Sarkar
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK.
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Sarkar S, Rubinsztein DC. Small molecule enhancers of autophagy for neurodegenerative diseases. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2008; 4:895-901. [PMID: 18704227 DOI: 10.1039/b804606a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, prion diseases and polyglutamine disorders, including Huntington's disease and various spinocerebellar ataxias, are associated with the formation of protein aggregates. These aggregates and/or their precursors are thought to be toxic disease-causing species. Autophagy is a major degradation pathway for intracytosolic aggregate-prone proteins, including those associated with neurodegeneration. It is a constitutive self-degradative process involved both in the basal turnover of cellular components and in response to nutrient starvation in eukaryotes. Enhancing autophagy may be a possible therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders where the mutant proteins are autophagy substrates. In cell and animal models, chemical induction of autophagy protects against the toxic insults of these mutant aggregate-prone proteins by enhancing their clearance. We will discuss various autophagy-inducing small molecules that have emerged in the past few years that may be leads towards the treatment of such devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sovan Sarkar
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK.
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Peineau S, Bradley C, Taghibiglou C, Doherty A, Bortolotto ZA, Wang YT, Collingridge GL. The role of GSK-3 in synaptic plasticity. Br J Pharmacol 2008; 153 Suppl 1:S428-37. [PMID: 18311157 PMCID: PMC2268071 DOI: 10.1038/bjp.2008.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), an important component of the glycogen metabolism pathway, is highly expressed in the CNS. It has been implicated in major neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Despite its central role in these conditions it was not known until recently whether GSK-3 has neuronal-specific functions under normal conditions. However recent work has shown that GSK-3 is involved in the regulation of, and cross-talk between, two major forms of synaptic plasticity, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) and NMDAR-dependent long-term depression (LTD). The present article summarizes this recent work and discusses its potential relevance to the treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Peineau
- Department of Anatomy, MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Medical sciences, University Walk, Bristol, UK
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