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Del Giudice KP, Cosgaya M, Zaro I, Ravasi V, Santacruz P, Painous C, Fernández M, Cámara A, Compta Y. Anti-alpha synuclein and anti-tau immunotherapies: Can a cocktail approach work? Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2024; 122:106080. [PMID: 38508903 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The hypothesis that neurodegenerative diseases are proteinopathies due to toxic effect of different underlying proteins, such as amyloid-beta and 3+4R-tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease (PD), while still controversial is supported by several studies in the literature. This has led to conduct clinical trials attempting to reduce the load of these allegedly toxic proteins by immunotherapy, mostly but not solely based on antibodies against these proteins. Already completed clinical trials have ranged from initially negative results to recently partial positive outcomes, specifically for anti-amyloid antibodies in AD but also albeit to lesser degree for anti-synuclein antibodies in PD. Currently, there are several ongoing clinical trials in degenerative parkinsonisms with anti-synuclein approaches in PD and multiple system atrophy (MSA), as well as with anti-tau antibodies in 4R-tauopathies such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). While it can be argued that expectations that part of these clinical trials will be positive can be hope or hype, it is reasonable to consider the future possibility of "cocktail" combination of different antibodies after the available experimental evidence of cross-talk between these proteins and neuropathological evidence of coexistence of these proteinopathies more frequently than expected by chance. Moreover, such "cocktail" approaches are widespread and accepted common practice in other fields such as oncology, and the complexity of neurodegenerative parkinsonisms makes reasonable the option for testing and eventually applying such combined approaches, should these prove useful separately, in the setting of patients with evidence of underlying concomitant proteinopathies, for example through biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsys Patricia Del Giudice
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marina Cosgaya
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Idoia Zaro
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Valeria Ravasi
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pilar Santacruz
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Celia Painous
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Fernández
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ana Cámara
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Yaroslau Compta
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic I Universitari de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; IDIBAPS, CIBERNED (CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), ERN- RND, UBNeuro, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Wang B, Kobeissy F, Golpich M, Cai G, Li X, Abedi R, Haskins W, Tan W, Benner SA, Wang KKW. Aptamer Technologies in Neuroscience, Neuro-Diagnostics and Neuro-Medicine Development. Molecules 2024; 29:1124. [PMID: 38474636 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aptamers developed using in vitro Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) technology are single-stranded nucleic acids 10-100 nucleotides in length. Their targets, often with specificity and high affinity, range from ions and small molecules to proteins and other biological molecules as well as larger systems, including cells, tissues, and animals. Aptamers often rival conventional antibodies with improved performance, due to aptamers' unique biophysical and biochemical properties, including small size, synthetic accessibility, facile modification, low production cost, and low immunogenicity. Therefore, there is sustained interest in engineering and adapting aptamers for many applications, including diagnostics and therapeutics. Recently, aptamers have shown promise as early diagnostic biomarkers and in precision medicine for neurodegenerative and neurological diseases. Here, we critically review neuro-targeting aptamers and their potential applications in neuroscience research, neuro-diagnostics, and neuro-medicine. We also discuss challenges that must be overcome, including delivery across the blood-brain barrier, increased affinity, and improved in vivo stability and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 1501 NW 68th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605, USA
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Center for Neurotrauma, MultiOmics and Biomarkers (CNMB), Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CVNR), Atlanta VA Health Care System, 1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Mojtaba Golpich
- Center for Neurotrauma, MultiOmics and Biomarkers (CNMB), Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Guangzheng Cai
- Center for Neurotrauma, MultiOmics and Biomarkers (CNMB), Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Reem Abedi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - William Haskins
- Gryphon Bio, Inc., 611 Gateway Blvd. Suite 120 #253, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Weihong Tan
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Steven A Benner
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 1501 NW 68th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605, USA
| | - Kevin K W Wang
- Center for Neurotrauma, MultiOmics and Biomarkers (CNMB), Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CVNR), Atlanta VA Health Care System, 1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
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Lapshina KV, Ekimova IV. Aquaporin-4 and Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1672. [PMID: 38338949 PMCID: PMC10855351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The water-selective channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is implicated in water homeostasis and the functioning of the glymphatic system, which eliminates various metabolites from the brain tissue, including amyloidogenic proteins. Misfolding of the α-synuclein protein and its post-translational modifications play a crucial role in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleopathies, leading to the formation of cytotoxic oligomers and aggregates that cause neurodegeneration. Human and animal studies have shown an interconnection between AQP4 dysfunction and α-synuclein accumulation; however, the specific role of AQP4 in these mechanisms remains unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of AQP4 dysfunction in the progression of α-synuclein pathology, considering the possible effects of AQP4 dysregulation on brain molecular mechanisms that can impact α-synuclein modification, accumulation and aggregation. It also highlights future directions that can help study the role of AQP4 in the functioning of the protective mechanisms of the brain during the development of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia V. Lapshina
- Laboratory of Comparative Thermophysiology, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of RAS, 194223 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
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Synucleins: New Data on Misfolding, Aggregation and Role in Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123241. [PMID: 36551997 PMCID: PMC9775291 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The synucleins are a family of natively unfolded (or intrinsically unstructured) proteins consisting of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein involved in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The current number of publications on synucleins has exceeded 16.000. They remain the subject of constant interest for over 35 years. Two reasons explain this unchanging attention: synuclein's association with several severe human diseases and the lack of understanding of the functional roles under normal physiological conditions. We analyzed recent publications to look at the main trends and developments in synuclein research and discuss possible future directions. Traditional areas of peak research interest which still remain high among last year's publications are comparative studies of structural features as well as functional research on of three members of the synuclein family. Another popular research topic in the area is a mechanism of α-synuclein accumulation, aggregation, and fibrillation. Exciting fast-growing area of recent research is α-synuclein and epigenetics. We do not present here a broad and comprehensive review of all directions of studies but summarize only the most significant recent findings relevant to these topics and outline potential future directions.
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