1
|
Umbricht D, Kas MJH, Dawson GR. The role of biomarkers in clinical development of drugs for neuropsychiatric disorders - A pragmatic guide. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 88:66-77. [PMID: 39236552 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
The failure rate of drugs being developed for neuropsychiatric indications remains high. Optimizing drug discovery and development requires not only a better neurobiological understanding of disease aetiology and development, but also the means by which we can measure relevant biological and clinical processes related to disease progression, drug target engagement, and sensitivity to treatment. Here we address the role and key considerations for the selection of biomarkers in clinical drug development for neuropsychiatric disorders. We do not provide an exhaustive list of biomarkers; rather we lay out a pragmatic, well-defined biomarker selection strategy that addresses the main goals for each of the phases in the drug development cycle. We discuss the key questions and issues that concern biomarker selection and implementation in each phase of development. For the better development of biomarkers, we emphasize the need to focus on discrete biological dysfunction and/or symptom domains rather than diagnoses. We also advocate the use of biomarker-based patient stratification in phase 2 and 3 to increase sensitivity and power and reduce costs. Our aim is to enhance precision and chances of success for these complex and heterogeneous brain disorders with a high unmet medical need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Umbricht
- xperimed GmbH, Basel, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shastri D, Raj V, Lee S. Revolutionizing Alzheimer's treatment: Harnessing human serum albumin for targeted drug delivery and therapy advancements. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102379. [PMID: 38901740 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder initiated by amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, leading to impaired cognitive function. Several delivery approaches have been improved for AD management. Among them, human serum albumin (HSA) is broadly employed for drug delivery and targeting the Aβ in AD owing to its biocompatibility, Aβ inhibitory effect, and nanoform, which showed blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing ability via glycoprotein 60 (gp60) receptor and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) protein to transfer the drug molecules in the brain. Thus far, there is no previous review focusing on HSA and its drug delivery system in AD. Hence, the reviewed article aimed to critically compile the HSA therapeutic as well as drug delivery role in AD management. It also delivers information on how HSA-incorporated nanoparticles with surfaced embedded ligands such as TAT, GM1, and so on, not only improve BBB permeability but also increase neuron cell targetability in AD brain. Additionally, Aβ and tau pathology, including various metabolic markers likely BACE1 and BACE2, etc., are discussed. Besides, the molecular interaction of HSA with Aβ and its distinctive forms are critically reviewed that HSA can segregate Zn(II) and Cu(II) metal ions from Aβ owing to high affinity. Furthermore, the BBB drug delivery challenges in AD are addressed. Finally, the clinical formulation of HSA for the management of AD is critically discussed on how the HSA inhibits Aβ oligomer and fibril, while glycated HSA participates in amyloid plaque formation, i.e., β-structure sheet formation. This review report provides theoretical background on HSA-based AD drug delivery and makes suggestions for future prospect-related work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Shastri
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu 42601, the Republic of Korea
| | - Vinit Raj
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Sangkil Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Farhang Doost N, Srivastava SK. A Comprehensive Review of Organ-on-a-Chip Technology and Its Applications. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:225. [PMID: 38785699 PMCID: PMC11118005 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) is an emerging technology that simulates an artificial organ within a microfluidic cell culture chip. Current cell biology research focuses on in vitro cell cultures due to various limitations of in vivo testing. Unfortunately, in-vitro cell culturing fails to provide an accurate microenvironment, and in vivo cell culturing is expensive and has historically been a source of ethical controversy. OOC aims to overcome these shortcomings and provide the best of both in vivo and in vitro cell culture research. The critical component of the OOC design is utilizing microfluidics to ensure a stable concentration gradient, dynamic mechanical stress modeling, and accurate reconstruction of a cellular microenvironment. OOC also has the advantage of complete observation and control of the system, which is impossible to recreate in in-vivo research. Multiple throughputs, channels, membranes, and chambers are constructed in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) array to simulate various organs on a chip. Various experiments can be performed utilizing OOC technology, including drug delivery research and toxicology. Current technological expansions involve multiple organ microenvironments on a single chip, allowing for studying inter-tissue interactions. Other developments in the OOC technology include finding a more suitable material as a replacement for PDMS and minimizing artefactual error and non-translatable differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Soumya K. Srivastava
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Huttunen KM. Improving drug delivery to the brain: the prodrug approach. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:683-693. [PMID: 38738934 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2355180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prodrug approach has been thought to be a simple solution to improve brain drug delivery for decades. Nevertheless, it still comes as a surprise that there is relatively little success in the field. The best example anti-parkinsonian drug levodopa has been serendipitously discovered to be a transporter-utilizing brain-delivered prodrug rather than a rationally developed one. AREAS COVERED The lack of success can mainly be explained by the insufficient understanding of the role of membrane proteins that can facilitate drug delivery at dynamic barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but also by the sparse knowledge of prodrug bioconverting enzymes in the brain. This review summarizes the current status of the prodrug attempts that have been developed in the past to improve brain drug delivery. EXPERT OPINION With the expandingly improved analytical and computational technologies, it is anticipated that enhanced brain drug delivery will be eventually achieved for most of the central nervous system (CNS) acting drugs. However, this requires that carrier-mediated (pro)drug delivery methods are implemented in the very early phases of the drug development processes and not as a last step to survive a problematic investigational drug candidate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristiina M Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cerneckis J, Cai H, Shi Y. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): molecular mechanisms of induction and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:112. [PMID: 38670977 PMCID: PMC11053163 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01809-0] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has transformed in vitro research and holds great promise to advance regenerative medicine. iPSCs have the capacity for an almost unlimited expansion, are amenable to genetic engineering, and can be differentiated into most somatic cell types. iPSCs have been widely applied to model human development and diseases, perform drug screening, and develop cell therapies. In this review, we outline key developments in the iPSC field and highlight the immense versatility of the iPSC technology for in vitro modeling and therapeutic applications. We begin by discussing the pivotal discoveries that revealed the potential of a somatic cell nucleus for reprogramming and led to successful generation of iPSCs. We consider the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of somatic cell reprogramming as well as the numerous methods available to induce pluripotency. Subsequently, we discuss various iPSC-based cellular models, from mono-cultures of a single cell type to complex three-dimensional organoids, and how these models can be applied to elucidate the mechanisms of human development and diseases. We use examples of neurological disorders, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and cancer to highlight the diversity of disease-specific phenotypes that can be modeled using iPSC-derived cells. We also consider how iPSC-derived cellular models can be used in high-throughput drug screening and drug toxicity studies. Finally, we discuss the process of developing autologous and allogeneic iPSC-based cell therapies and their potential to alleviate human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Cerneckis
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hongxia Cai
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dichiara M, Cosentino G, Giordano G, Pasquinucci L, Marrazzo A, Costanzo G, Amata E. Designing drugs optimized for both blood-brain barrier permeation and intra-cerebral partition. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:317-329. [PMID: 38145409 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2294118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the increasing incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders globally, there is a paramount need for new pharmacotherapies. BBB effectively protects the brain but raises a profound challenge to drug permeation, with less than 2% of most drugs reaching the CNS. AREAS COVERED This article reviews aspects of the most recent design strategies, providing insights into ideas and concepts in CNS drug discovery. An overview of the products available on the market is given and why clinical trials are continuously failing is discussed. EXPERT OPINION Among the available CNS drugs, small molecules account for most successful CNS therapeutics due to their ability to penetrate the BBB through passive or carrier-mediated mechanisms. The development of new CNS drugs is very difficult. To date, there is a lack of effective drugs for alleviating or even reversing the progression of brain diseases. Particularly, the use of artificial intelligence strategies, together with more appropriate animal models, may enable the design of molecules with appropriate permeation, to elicit a biological response from the neurotherapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dichiara
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Horne R, Wilson-Godber J, González Díaz A, Brotzakis ZF, Seal S, Gregory RC, Possenti A, Chia S, Vendruscolo M. Using Generative Modeling to Endow with Potency Initially Inert Compounds with Good Bioavailability and Low Toxicity. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:590-596. [PMID: 38261763 PMCID: PMC10865343 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
In the early stages of drug development, large chemical libraries are typically screened to identify compounds of promising potency against the chosen targets. Often, however, the resulting hit compounds tend to have poor drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), with negative developability features that may be difficult to eliminate. Therefore, starting the drug discovery process with a "null library", compounds that have highly desirable DMPK properties but no potency against the chosen targets, could be advantageous. Here, we explore the opportunities offered by machine learning to realize this strategy in the case of the inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation, a process associated with Parkinson's disease. We apply MolDQN, a generative machine learning method, to build an inhibitory activity against α-synuclein aggregation into an initial inactive compound with good DMPK properties. Our results illustrate how generative modeling can be used to endow initially inert compounds with desirable developability properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert
I. Horne
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Jared Wilson-Godber
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Alicia González Díaz
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Z. Faidon Brotzakis
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Srijit Seal
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
- Imaging
Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Rebecca C. Gregory
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Andrea Possenti
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Sean Chia
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
- Bioprocessing
Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138668 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zimmer L. Recent applications of positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging in psychiatric drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:161-172. [PMID: 37948046 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2278635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Psychiatry is one of the medical disciplines that suffers most from a lack of innovation in its therapeutic arsenal. Many failures in drug candidate trials can be explained by pharmacological properties that have been poorly assessed upstream, in terms of brain passage, brain target binding and clinical outcomes. Positron emission tomography can provide pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data to help select candidate-molecules for further clinical trials. AREAS COVERED This review aims to explain and discuss the various methods using positron-emitting radiolabeled molecules to trace the cerebral distribution of the drug-candidate or indirectly measure binding to its therapeutic target. More than an exhaustive review of PET studies in psychopharmacology, this article highlights the contributions this technology can make in drug discovery applied to psychiatry. EXPERT OPINION PET neuroimaging is the only technological approach that can, in vivo in humans, measure cerebral delivery of a drug candidate, percentage and duration of target binding, and even the pharmacological effects. PET studies in a small number of subjects in the early stages of the development of a psychotropic drug can therefore provide the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data required for subsequent clinical evaluation. While PET technology is demanding in terms of radiochemical, radiopharmacological and nuclear medicine expertise, its integration into the development process of new drugs for psychiatry has great added value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luc Zimmer
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
- CERMEP, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies Nucléaire, Saclay, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gupta JK, Singh K. Pharmacological Potential of Bioactive Peptides for the Treatment of Diseases Associated with Alzheimer's and Brain Disorders. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:962-979. [PMID: 37691200 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230907115753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Bioactive peptides are a promising class of therapeutics for the treatment of diseases associated with Alzheimer's and brain disorders. These peptides are derived from naturally occurring proteins and have been shown to possess a variety of beneficial properties. They may modulate neurotransmitter systems, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive performance. In addition, bioactive peptides have the potential to target specific molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and brain disorders. For example, peptides have been shown to interact with amyloid-beta, a major component of amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer's disease, and have been shown to reduce its accumulation in the brain. Furthermore, peptides have been found to modulate the activity of glutamate receptors, which are important for memory and learning, as well as to inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the formation of toxic amyloid-beta aggregates. Finally, bioactive peptides have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, two major components of many neurological disorders. These peptides could be used alone or in combination with traditional pharmacological treatments to improve the management of diseases associated with Alzheimer's and brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeetendra Kumar Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kuldeep Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mehdi S, Wani SUD, Krishna K, Kinattingal N, Roohi TF. A review on linking stress, depression, and insulin resistance via low-grade chronic inflammation. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 36:101571. [PMID: 37965066 PMCID: PMC10641573 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a disturbance in homeostasis caused by psychological, physiological, or environmental factors. Prolonged reactions to chronic stress can be detrimental, resulting in various metabolic abnormalities, referred to as metabolic syndrome (MS). There is a reciprocal increased risk between MS and major depressive disorder. Recent studies established an association between inflammation and insulin signaling in type 2 diabetes mellitus with depression. In the present review, we discuss chronic low-grade inflammation, pathways of insulin resistance, and brain glucose metabolism in the context of neuroinflammation and depression. Specific attention is given to psychotropic drugs such as bupropion, mirtazapine, and nefazodone, anti-inflammatory drugs like Celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor), Etanercept, adalimumab, IL-4Ra antagonist, Anti-IL- 17A antibody (Ixekizumab) and lifestyle modifications including exercise, dietary changes, and sleep hygiene. These therapeutic solutions offer potential in treating depression by targeting metabolic conditions like insulin resistance and inflammatory pathways. The article further explains the significance of a nutrition and antioxidants-rich diet, emphasizing the role of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, zinc, and polyphenols, to improve immunity and activate anti-inflammatory signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seema Mehdi
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore, 570 015, India
| | - Shahid Ud Din Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - K.L. Krishna
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore, 570 015, India
| | - Nabeel Kinattingal
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore, 570 015, India
| | - Tamsheel Fatima Roohi
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore, 570 015, India
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jędrusiak A, Fortuna W, Majewska J, Górski A, Jończyk-Matysiak E. Phage Interactions with the Nervous System in Health and Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1720. [PMID: 37443756 PMCID: PMC10341288 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system manages all of our activities (e.g., direct thinking and decision-making processes). It receives information from the environment and responds to environmental stimuli. Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages, phages) are the most numerous structures occurring in the biosphere and are also found in the human organism. Therefore, understanding how phages may influence this system is of great importance and is the purpose of this review. We have focused on the effect of natural bacteriophages in the central nervous system, linking them to those present in the gut microbiota, creating the gut-brain axis network, as well as their interdependence. Importantly, based on the current knowledge in the field of phage application (e.g., intranasal) in the treatment of bacterial diseases associated with the brain and nervous system, bacteriophages may have significant therapeutic potential. Moreover, it was indicated that bacteriophages may influence cognitive processing. In addition, phages (via phage display technology) appear promising as a targeted therapeutic tool in the treatment of, among other things, brain cancers. The information collected and reviewed in this work indicates that phages and their impact on the nervous system is a fascinating and, so far, underexplored field. Therefore, the aim of this review is not only to summarize currently available information on the association of phages with the nervous system, but also to stimulate future studies that could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches potentially useful in treating bacterial and non-bacterial neural diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Jędrusiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.); (J.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Wojciech Fortuna
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 54-427 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Majewska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.); (J.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.); (J.M.); (A.G.)
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
- Infant Jesus Hospital, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.); (J.M.); (A.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wanat K, Brzezińska E. Chromatographic Data in Statistical Analysis of BBB Permeability Indices. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:623. [PMID: 37504989 PMCID: PMC10384010 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is an essential phenomena when considering the treatment of neurological disorders as well as in the case of central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects caused by peripherally acting drugs. The presented work contains statistical analyses and the correlation assessment of the analyzed group of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with their BBB-permeability data collected from the literature (such as computational log BB; Kp,uu,brain, and CNS+/- groups). A number of regression models were constructed in order to observe the connections between the APIs' physicochemical properties in combination with their retention data from the chromatographic experiments (TLC and HPLC) and the indices of bioavailability in the CNS. Conducted analyses confirm that descriptors significant in BBB permeability modeling are hydrogen bond acceptors and donors, physiological charge, or energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. These molecular descriptors were the basis, along with the chromatographic data from the TLC in log BB regression analyses. Normal-phase TLC data showed a significant contribution to the creation of the log BB regression model using the multiple linear regression method. The model using them showed a good predictive value at the level of R2 = 0.87. Models for Kp,uu,brain resulted in lower statistics: R2 = 0.56 for the group of 23 APIs with the participation of k IAM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Wanat
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Brzezińska
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
El-Atawneh S, Goldblum A. Activity Models of Key GPCR Families in the Central Nervous System: A Tool for Many Purposes. J Chem Inf Model 2023. [PMID: 37257045 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are targets of many drugs, of which ∼25% are indicated for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Drug promiscuity affects their efficacy and safety profiles. Predicting the polypharmacology profile of compounds against GPCRs can thus provide a basis for producing more precise therapeutics by considering the targets and the anti-targets in that family of closely related proteins. We provide a tool for predicting the polypharmacology of compounds within prominent GPCR families in the CNS: serotonin, dopamine, histamine, muscarinic, opioid, and cannabinoid receptors. Our in-house algorithm, "iterative stochastic elimination" (ISE), produces high-quality ligand-based models for agonism and antagonism at 31 GPCRs. The ISE models correctly predict 68% of CNS drug-GPCR interactions, while the "similarity ensemble approach" predicts only 33%. The activity models correctly predict 56% of reported activities of DrugBank molecules for these CNS receptors. We conclude that the combination of interactions and activity profiles generated by screening through our models form the basis for subsequent designing and discovering novel therapeutics, either single, multitargeting, or repurposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shayma El-Atawneh
- Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Lab, Institute for Drug Research and Fraunhofer Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905, Israel
| | - Amiram Goldblum
- Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Lab, Institute for Drug Research and Fraunhofer Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Adraoui FW, Douw L, Martens GJM, Maas DA. Connecting Neurobiological Features with Interregional Dysconnectivity in Social-Cognitive Impairments of Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097680. [PMID: 37175387 PMCID: PMC10177877 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097680] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a devastating psychiatric disorder affecting about 1% of the world's population. Social-cognitive impairments in SZ prevent positive social interactions and lead to progressive social withdrawal. The neurobiological underpinnings of social-cognitive symptoms remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of novel treatments. At the whole-brain level, an abnormal activation of social brain regions and interregional dysconnectivity within social-cognitive brain networks have been identified as major contributors to these symptoms. At the cellular and subcellular levels, an interplay between oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor hypofunction is thought to underly SZ pathology. However, it is not clear how these molecular processes are linked with interregional dysconnectivity in the genesis of social-cognitive symptoms. Here, we aim to bridge the gap between macroscale (connectivity analyses) and microscale (molecular and cellular mechanistic) knowledge by proposing impaired myelination and the disinhibition of local microcircuits as possible causative biological pathways leading to dysconnectivity and abnormal activity of the social brain. Furthermore, we recommend electroencephalography as a promising translational technique that can foster pre-clinical drug development and discuss attractive drug targets for the treatment of social-cognitive symptoms in SZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian W Adraoui
- Biotrial, Preclinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Linda Douw
- Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard J M Martens
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience (DCN), Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- NeuroDrug Research Ltd., 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien A Maas
- Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kang JH, Ko YT. Intraosseous administration into the skull: Potential blood-brain barrier bypassing route for brain drug delivery. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10424. [PMID: 36925676 PMCID: PMC10013776 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders is retarded owing to a limited understanding of brain disease pathology. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits molecular entry into the brain. Many approaches for brain drug delivery to overcome the BBB, such as BBB permeability enhancement, transient BBB disruption, and direct surgical administration have been explored with limited success. Recent research has shown that direct vascular channels exist between the skull bone marrow and the meninges, allowing myeloid and lymphoid cells to migrate. We hypothesized that these direct channels may also allow brain drug delivery from the skull bone marrow to the brain. In this study, for the first time we propose intraosseous administration of drugs into the skull (intracalvariosseous [ICO]) as a novel approach for brain drug delivery via BBB bypassing routes. We tested the feasibility of the approach by applying nine representative compounds over thinned mouse skulls to simulate ICO and measuring the compound entry level in the brain compared to that after systemic administration. Surprisingly, we found that the skull is not completely impermeable to drug penetration into the brain and the tested compounds reached the brain tissue several tens-to-hundred times higher by ICO than systemic application. These findings suggest a role for the BBB bypassing route from skull to brain, apart from the systemic route, in the drug entry into the brain after ICO. This approach should be applicable to other CNS drugs and even BBB impermeable drugs. Overall ICO provides an innovative and advantageous pathway for effective treatment of brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hee Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
| | - Young Tag Ko
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Singh P, Singh D, Srivastava P, Mishra G, Tiwari AK. Evaluation of advanced, pathophysiologic new targets for imaging of CNS. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:484-513. [PMID: 36779375 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22040] [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: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
The inadequate information about the in vivo pathological, physiological, and neurological impairments, as well as the absence of in vivo tools for assessing brain penetrance and the efficiency of newly designed drugs, has hampered the development of new techniques for the treatment for variety of new central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The searching sites such as Science Direct and PubMed were used to find out the numerous distinct tracers across 16 CNS targets including tau, synaptic vesicle glycoprotein, the adenosine 2A receptor, the phosphodiesterase enzyme PDE10A, and the purinoceptor, among others. Among the most encouraging are [18 F]FIMX for mGluR imaging, [11 C]Martinostat for Histone deacetylase, [18 F]MNI-444 for adenosine 2A imaging, [11 C]ER176 for translocator protein, and [18 F]MK-6240 for tau imaging. We also reviewed the findings for each tracer's features and potential for application in CNS pathophysiology and therapeutic evaluation investigations, including target specificity, binding efficacy, and pharmacokinetic factors. This review aims to present a current evaluation of modern positron emission tomography tracers for CNS targets, with a focus on recent advances for targets that have newly emerged for imaging in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priya Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Deepika Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pooja Srivastava
- Division of Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceuticals Sciences, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Gauri Mishra
- Department of Zoology, Swami Shraddhananad College, University of Delhi, Alipur, Delhi, India
| | - Anjani K Tiwari
- Department of Chemistry, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bowman C, Ma F, Mao J, Plise E, Chen E, Liu L, Zhang S, Chen Y. Evaluation of bottom-up modeling of the blood-brain barrier to improve brain penetration prediction via physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. Biopharm Drug Dispos 2023; 44:60-70. [PMID: 36630933 DOI: 10.1002/bdd.2344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the brain penetration of drugs has been notoriously difficult; however, recently, permeability-limited brain models have been constructed. Lead optimization for central nervous system compounds often focuses on compounds that have low transporter efflux, where passive permeability could be a main driver in determining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/brain concentrations. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the translatability of passive permeability data generated from different in vitro systems and its impact on the prediction of human CSF/brain concentrations using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. In vitro data were generated using gMDCK and parallel artificial membrane permeability assay-blood-brain barrier for comparison and predictions using a quantitative structure-activity relationship model were also evaluated. PBPK modeling was then performed for seven compounds with moderate-high permeability and a range of efflux in vitro, and the CSF/brain mass concentrations and Kpuu were reasonably predicted. This work provides the first step of a promising approach using bottom-up PBPK modeling for CSF/brain penetration prediction to support lead optimization and clinical candidate selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Bowman
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fang Ma
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jialin Mao
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emile Plise
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eugene Chen
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Liling Liu
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
English BA, Ereshefsky L. Experimental Medicine Approaches in Early-Phase CNS Drug Development. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 30:417-455. [PMID: 36928860 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21054-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, Phase 1 clinical trials were largely conducted in healthy normal volunteers and focused on collection of safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data. However, in the CNS therapeutic area, with more drugs failing in later phase development, Phase 1 trials have undergone an evolution that includes incorporation of novel approaches involving novel study designs, inclusion of biomarkers, and early inclusion of patients to improve the pharmacologic understanding of novel CNS-active compounds early in clinical development with the hope of improving success in later phase pivotal trials. In this chapter, the authors will discuss the changing landscape of Phase 1 clinical trials in CNS, including novel trial methodology, inclusion of pharmacodynamic biomarkers, and experimental medicine approaches to inform early decision-making in clinical development.
Collapse
|
19
|
Schwasinger-Schmidt T, Preskorn SH. Reverse Engineering Drugs: Lorcaserin as an Example. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 30:195-206. [PMID: 36928851 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21054-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Novel central nervous system (CNS)-based therapies have been difficult to produce due to the complexity of the brain, limited knowledge of CNS-based disease development and associated pathways, difficulty in penetrating the blood brain barrier, and a lack of reliable biomarkers of disease. Reverse engineering in drug development allows the utilization of new knowledge of disease pathways and the use of innovative technology to develop medications with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicities. Lorcaserin was developed as a specific 5HT2C serotonin receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity with limited off-target effects at the 5HT2A and 5HT2B receptors. This receptor specificity limited the hallucinogenic and cardiovascular side effects noted with other serotonin receptor agonists. Reverse engineering approaches to drug development reduce the cost of producing new medications, identify specific populations of patients that will derive the most benefit from therapy, and produce novel therapies with greater efficacy and limited toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sheldon H Preskorn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Martins LB, Silveira AL, Teixeira AL. The Involvement of Kynurenine Pathway in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:260-272. [PMID: 36154606 PMCID: PMC10190152 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220922153221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence has shown the involvement of the kynurenine pathway (KP), the primary route of tryptophan (TRP) catabolism, in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVE The study aims to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of the clinical evidence on the KP involvement in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), discussing therapeutic opportunities. METHODS We searched for studies investigating KP metabolites in human subjects with AD and/or PD. RESULTS Postmortem studies showed altered levels of KP metabolites in the brain of AD and PD patients compared with controls. Cross-sectional studies have reported associations between peripheral levels (serum or plasma) of KP metabolites and cognitive function in these patients, but the results are not always concordant. CONCLUSION Given the emerging evidence of the involvement of KP in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric/ neurodegenerative diseases and promising results from preclinical pharmacological studies, a better understanding of the KP involvement in AD and PD is warranted. Future longitudinal studies are needed to define the direction of the observed associations and specific therapeutic targets within the KP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lais B. Martins
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ana L.M. Silveira
- Department of Nutrition, School of Nursing, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antonio L. Teixeira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Faculdade Santa Casa BH, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Blood brain barrier-on-a-chip to model neurological diseases. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
22
|
Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Abusara OH, Al Bawab AQ. A Review of the Recent Advances in Alzheimer's Disease Research and the Utilization of Network Biology Approaches for Prioritizing Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12122975. [PMID: 36552984 PMCID: PMC9777434 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12122975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a polygenic multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that, after decades of research and development, is still without a cure. There are some symptomatic treatments to manage the psychological symptoms but none of these drugs can halt disease progression. Additionally, over the last few years, many anti-AD drugs failed in late stages of clinical trials and many hypotheses surfaced to explain these failures, including the lack of clear understanding of disease pathways and processes. Recently, different epigenetic factors have been implicated in AD pathogenesis; thus, they could serve as promising AD diagnostic biomarkers. Additionally, network biology approaches have been suggested as effective tools to study AD on the systems level and discover multi-target-directed ligands as novel treatments for AD. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology to provide a better understanding of disease pathogenesis hypotheses and decipher the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in disease development and progression. We also provide an overview of disease biomarkers and drug targets and suggest network biology approaches as new tools for identifying novel biomarkers and drugs. We also posit that the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to mining Alzheimer's disease multi-omics data will facilitate drug and biomarker discovery efforts and lead to effective individualized anti-Alzheimer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carlina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control, Amman 11118, Jordan
- Correspondence:
| | - Dima A. Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Osama H. Abusara
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Abdel Qader Al Bawab
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wu M, Cheng Z, Le AT, Tan Y, Peltz G. Optimizing a therapy for opiate use disorders: Characterizing ondansetron pharmacokinetics in blood and brain. Clin Transl Sci 2022; 16:216-223. [PMID: 36305236 PMCID: PMC9926069 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of a widely used 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5HT3A R) antagonist (ondansetron) potently inhibited the development of experimentally induced opioid dependence and withdrawal responses in mice and humans. However, in several studies examining withdrawal symptoms in subjects with chronic opioid use disorders (OUDs), ondansetron exhibited reduced or absent efficacy. Because attenuation of opioid withdrawal symptomatology is mediated within the brain, this study examined single-dose ondansetron pharmacokinetics in the blood and brain of mice. We demonstrate that ondansetron concentrations in the brain (Cbrain ng/mg) are 1000-fold lower than the blood concentrations (Cblood ng/ml) and decrease rapidly after ondansetron administration; and that a large percentage of brain ondansetron remains in the ventricular fluid. These results indicate that the ondansetron dose, and the time window between ondansetron and opioid administration, and when withdrawal is assessed are critical considerations for clinical studies involving subjects with chronic OUD. The pharmacokinetic results and the dosing considerations discussed here can be used to improve the design of subsequent clinical trials, which will test whether a more prolonged period of ondansetron administration can provide a desperately needed therapy that can prevent the development of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in babies born to mothers with chronic OUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manhong Wu
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain, and Perioperative MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Zhuanfen Cheng
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain, and Perioperative MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Anthony T. Le
- Department of PathologyStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yalun Tan
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain, and Perioperative MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Gary Peltz
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain, and Perioperative MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wouters Y, Jaspers T, Rué L, Serneels L, De Strooper B, Dewilde M. VHHs as tools for therapeutic protein delivery to the central nervous system. Fluids Barriers CNS 2022; 19:79. [PMID: 36192747 PMCID: PMC9531356 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The blood brain barrier (BBB) limits the therapeutic perspective for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Previously we found an anti-mouse transferrin receptor (TfR) VHH (Nb62) that was able to deliver a biologically active neuropeptide into the CNS in mice. Here, we aimed to test its potential to shuttle a therapeutic relevant cargo. Since this VHH could not recognize the human TfR and hence its translational potential is limited, we also aimed to find and validate an anti-human transferrin VHH to deliver a therapeutic cargo into the CNS. Methods Alpaca immunizations with human TfR, and subsequent phage selection and screening for human TfR binding VHHs was performed to find a human TfR specific VHH (Nb188). Its ability to cross the BBB was determined by fusing it to neurotensin, a neuropeptide that reduces body temperature when present in the CNS but is not able to cross the BBB on its own. Next, the anti–β-secretase 1 (BACE1) 1A11 Fab and Nb62 or Nb188 were fused to an Fc domain to generate heterodimeric antibodies (1A11AM-Nb62 and 1A11AM-Nb188). These were then administered intravenously in wild-type mice and in mice in which the murine apical domain of the TfR was replaced by the human apical domain (hAPI KI). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies were performed to assess the concentration of the heterodimeric antibodies in the brain over time and the ability to inhibit brain-specific BACE1 by analysing the brain levels of Aβ1–40. Results Selections and screening of a phage library resulted in the discovery of an anti-human TfR VHH (Nb188). Fusion of Nb188 to neurotensin induced hypothermia after intravenous injections in hAPI KI mice. In addition, systemic administration 1A11AM-Nb62 and 1A11AM-Nb188 fusions were able to reduce Aβ1-40 levels in the brain whereas 1A11AM fused to an irrelevant VHH did not. A PK/PD experiment showed that this effect could last for 3 days. Conclusion We have discovered an anti-human TfR specific VHH that is able to reach the CNS when administered systemically. In addition, both the currently discovered anti-human TfR VHH and the previously identified mouse-specific anti-TfR VHH, are both able to shuttle a therapeutically relevant cargo into the CNS. We suggest the mouse-specific VHH as a valuable research tool in mice and the human-specific VHH as a moiety to enhance the delivery efficiency of therapeutics into the CNS in human patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12987-022-00374-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yessica Wouters
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tom Jaspers
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Laura Rué
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Serneels
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Maarten Dewilde
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Fengler S, Kurkowsky B, Kaushalya SK, Roth W, Fava E, Denner P. Human iPSC-derived brain endothelial microvessels in a multi-well format enable permeability screens of anti-inflammatory drugs. Biomaterials 2022; 286:121525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
26
|
Lago SG, Bahn S. The druggable schizophrenia genome: from repurposing opportunities to unexplored drug targets. NPJ Genom Med 2022; 7:25. [PMID: 35338153 PMCID: PMC8956592 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-022-00290-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been no new drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia in several decades and treatment resistance represents a major unmet clinical need. The drugs that exist are based on serendipitous clinical observations rather than an evidence-based understanding of disease pathophysiology. In the present review, we address these bottlenecks by integrating common, rare, and expression-related schizophrenia risk genes with knowledge of the druggability of the human genome as a whole. We highlight novel drug repurposing opportunities, clinical trial candidates which are supported by genetic evidence, and unexplored therapeutic opportunities in the lesser-known regions of the schizophrenia genome. By identifying translational gaps and opportunities across the schizophrenia disease space, we discuss a framework for translating increasingly well-powered genetic association studies into personalized treatments for schizophrenia and initiating the vital task of characterizing clinically relevant drug targets in underexplored regions of the human genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago G Lago
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Sabine Bahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tang M, Duan X, Yang A, He S, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Zhang L, Luo X, Shi P, Li H, Lin X. Fish Capsules: A System for High-Throughput Screening of Combinatorial Drugs. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104449. [PMID: 35088577 PMCID: PMC8948576 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale screening of molecules heavily relies on phenotyping of small living organisms during preclinical development. However, deep profiling candidate therapeutics on whole animals typically requires laborious manipulations and anesthetic treatment using traditional techniques or automated tools. Here, a novel fish capsule system that combines automated zebrafish encapsulating technology and droplet microarray strategy for in vivo functional screening of mono/polytherapies is described. This platform enables automated, rapid zebrafish orientation and immobilization in agarose to generate large-scale fish capsules by using a microfluidic device. Based on the effect of discontinuous dewetting, the prompt trapping of fish capsules in the aqueous arrays is successfully demonstrate. This system provides the capability to integrate pharmaceutical treatments with real-time multispectral microscopic imaging in a simple, pipetting-free and highly parallel manner. Coupling with machine learning algorithms, a small library of compounds is screened and analyzed, and clues about how to exploit compound combinations as therapeutic candidates are obtained. It is believed that this proposed strategy can be readily applied to multiple fields and is especially useful in the exploration of combinatorial drugs with limited amounts of samples and resources to accelerate the identification of novel therapeutics for precision medicines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Xin Duan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Anqi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Shijie He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Yajing Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Xuan Luo
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCity University of Hong KongKowloonHong Kong SAR999077China
- Shenzhen Research InstituteCity University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong523808China
| | - Peng Shi
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCity University of Hong KongKowloonHong Kong SAR999077China
- Shenzhen Research InstituteCity University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong523808China
| | - Honglin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor EngineeringShanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug DesignSchool of PharmacyEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghai200237China
| | - Xudong Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical InstrumentSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Roy B, Lee E, Li T, Rampersaud M. Role of miRNAs in Neurodegeneration: From Disease Cause to Tools of Biomarker Discovery and Therapeutics. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030425. [PMID: 35327979 PMCID: PMC8951370 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases originate from neuronal loss in the central nervous system (CNS). These debilitating diseases progress with age and have become common due to an increase in longevity. The National Institute of Environmental Health Science’s 2021 annual report suggests around 6.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and there is a possibility that there will be 1.2 million Parkinson’s disease patients in the USA by 2030. There is no clear-cut universal mechanism for identifying neurodegenerative diseases, and therefore, they pose a challenge for neurobiology scientists. Genetic and environmental factors modulate these diseases leading to familial or sporadic forms. Prior studies have shown that miRNA levels are altered during the course of the disease, thereby suggesting that these noncoding RNAs may be the contributing factor in neurodegeneration. In this review, we highlight the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Through this review, we aim to achieve four main objectives: First, we highlight how dysregulation of miRNA biogenesis led to these diseases. Second, we highlight the computational or bioinformatics tools required to identify the putative molecular targets of miRNAs, leading to biological molecular pathways or mechanisms involved in these diseases. Third, we focus on the dysregulation of miRNAs and their target genes leading to several neurodegenerative diseases. In the final section, we highlight the use of miRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers in the early asymptomatic preclinical diagnosis of these age-dependent debilitating diseases. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and advances in the development of miRNA therapeutics for brain targeting. We list some of the innovative strategies employed to deliver miRNA into target cells and the relevance of these viral and non-viral carrier systems in RNA therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. In summary, this review highlights the relevance of studying brain-enriched miRNAs, the mechanisms underlying their regulation of target gene expression, their dysregulation leading to progressive neurodegeneration, and their potential for biomarker marker and therapeutic intervention. This review thereby highlights ways for the effective diagnosis and prevention of these neurodegenerative disorders in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Roy
- Life Science Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ 07012, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Erica Lee
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA; (E.L.); (T.L.); (M.R.)
| | - Teresa Li
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA; (E.L.); (T.L.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Rampersaud
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA; (E.L.); (T.L.); (M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Giacomoni G. Towards a general framework for innovation shaped with AI to create and transform market offerings. EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/emre.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Giacomoni
- Université Paris Saclay – AgroParisTech & INRAE (UMR Applied Economics) Paris France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Higgins GA, Silenieks LB. The Effects of Drug Treatments for ADHD in Measures of Cognitive Performance. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 57:321-362. [PMID: 35606638 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Based on core symptoms of inattention and deficient impulse control, and the identification of effective pharmacotherapies such as amphetamine (AMP; Adderall®), methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin®), and atomoxetine (ATX; Strattera®), ADHD is a clinical condition which provides opportunity for translational research. Neuropsychological tests such as the 5-Choice and Continuous Performance Tasks, which measure aspects of attention and impulse control in animals and humans, provide scope for both forward (animal to human) and reverse (human to animal) translation. Rodent studies support pro-attentive effects of AMP and MPH and effectiveness in controlling some forms of impulsive behavior. In contrast, any pro-attentive effects of ATX appear to be less consistent, the most reliable effects of ATX are recorded in tests of impulsivity. These differences may account for AMP and MPH being recognized as first-line treatments for ADHD with a higher efficacy relative to ATX. DSM-5 classifies three "presentations" of ADHD: predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I), predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type (ADHD-HI), or combined (ADHD-C). Presently, it is unclear whether AMP, MPH, or ATX has differential levels of efficacy across these presentation types. Nonetheless, these studies encourage confidence for the forward translation of NCEs in efforts to identify newer pharmacotherapies for ADHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guy A Higgins
- Intervivo Solutions, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Rodríguez-Massó SR, Erickson MA, Banks WA, Ulrich H, Martins AH. The Bradykinin B2 Receptor Agonist (NG291) Causes Rapid Onset of Transient Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Without Evidence of Early Brain Injury. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:791709. [PMID: 34975388 PMCID: PMC8715084 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.791709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) describes the brain's highly specialized capillaries, which form a dynamic interface that maintains central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. The BBB supports the CNS, in part, by preventing the entry of potentially harmful circulating molecules into the brain. However, this specialized function is challenging for the development of CNS therapeutics. Several strategies to facilitate drug delivery into the brain parenchyma via disruption of the BBB have been proposed. Bradykinin has proven effective in disrupting mechanisms across the blood-tumor barrier. Unfortunately, bradykinin has limited therapeutic value because of its short half-life and the undesirable biological activity elicited by its active metabolites. Objective: To evaluate NG291, a stable bradykinin analog, with selective agonist activity on the bradykinin-B2 receptor and its ability to disrupt the BBB transiently. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats and CD-1 mice were subjected to NG291 treatment (either 50 or 100 μg/kg, intravenously). Time and dose-dependent BBB disruption were evaluated by histological analysis of Evans blue (EB) extravasation. Transcellular and paracellular BBB leakage were assessed by infiltration of 99mTc-albumin (66.5 KDa) and 14C-sucrose (340 Da) radiolabeled probes into the brains of CD-1 mice treated with NG291. NG291 influence on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump activity was evaluated by quantifying the brain accumulation of 3H-verapamil, a known P-gp substrate, in CD-1 mice. Results: NG291-mediated BBB disruption was localized, dose-dependent, and reversible as measured by EB extravasation. 99mTc-albumin leakage was significantly increased by 50 μg/kg of NG291, whereas 100 μg/kg of NG291 significantly augmented both 14C-sucrose and 99mTc-albumin leakage. NG291 enhanced P-gp efflux transporter activity and was unable to increase brain uptake of the P-gp substrate pralidoxime. NG291 did not evoke significant short-term neurotoxicity, as it did not increase brain water content, the number of Fluoro-Jade C positive cells, or astrocyte activation. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest that NG291 increases BBB permeability by two different mechanisms in a dose-dependent manner and increases P-gp efflux transport. This increased permeability may facilitate the penetration into the brain of therapeutic candidates that are not P-gp substrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio R. Rodríguez-Massó
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Michelle A. Erickson
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - William A. Banks
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio Henrique Martins
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Chen X, Liu C, Muok L, Zeng C, Li Y. Dynamic 3D On-Chip BBB Model Design, Development, and Applications in Neurological Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:3183. [PMID: 34831406 PMCID: PMC8622822 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a vital structure for maintaining homeostasis between the blood and the brain in the central nervous system (CNS). Biomolecule exchange, ion balance, nutrition delivery, and toxic molecule prevention rely on the normal function of the BBB. The dysfunction and the dysregulation of the BBB leads to the progression of neurological disorders and neurodegeneration. Therefore, in vitro BBB models can facilitate the investigation for proper therapies. As the demand increases, it is urgent to develop a more efficient and more physiologically relevant BBB model. In this review, the development of the microfluidics platform for the applications in neuroscience is summarized. This article focuses on the characterizations of in vitro BBB models derived from human stem cells and discusses the development of various types of in vitro models. The microfluidics-based system and BBB-on-chip models should provide a better platform for high-throughput drug-screening and targeted delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingchi Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; (X.C.); (C.L.); (L.M.)
- The High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; (X.C.); (C.L.); (L.M.)
| | - Laureana Muok
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; (X.C.); (C.L.); (L.M.)
| | - Changchun Zeng
- The High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA;
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; (X.C.); (C.L.); (L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Atorvastatin-mediated rescue of cancer-related cognitive changes in combined anticancer therapies. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009457. [PMID: 34669701 PMCID: PMC8559965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute administration of trastuzumab (TZB) may induce various forms of cognitive impairment. These cancer-related cognitive changes (CRCC) are regulated by an adverse biological process involving cancer stem cells (CSCs) and IL-6. Recent studies have reported that atorvastatin (ATV) may change the dynamic of cognitive impairment in a combination (TZB+ATV) therapy. In this study, we investigate the mutual interactions between cancer stem cells and the tumor cells that facilitate cognitive impairment during long term TZB therapy by developing a mathematical model that involves IL-6 and the key apoptotic regulation. These include the densities of tumor cells and CSCs, and the concentrations of intracellular signaling molecules (NFκB, Bcl-2, BAX). We apply the mathematical model to a single or combination (ATV+TZB) therapy used in the experiments to demonstrate that the CSCs can enhance CRCC by secreting IL-6 and ATV may interfere the whole regulation. We show that the model can both reproduce the major experimental observation on onset and prevention of CRCC, and suggest several important predictions to guide future experiments with the goal of the development of new anti-tumor and anti-CRCC strategies. Moreover, using this model, we investigate the fundamental mechanism of onset of cognitive impairment in TZB-treated patients and the impact of alternating therapies on the anti-tumor efficacy and intracellular response to different treatment schedules. A conventional drug, trastuzumab (TZB), was shown to be an effective weapon in killing cancer cells in brain. However, long term treatment of TZB increases the proportion of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and induces up-regulation of pro-tumoral molecules such as IL-6 in TME. These cancer cells then become more resistant to this chemotherapy through the IL-mediated up-regulation of NFκB and CSCs. More importantly, these changes in TME result in a serious side effect, cognitive impairment called cancer-related cognitive changes (CRCC). The detailed mechanism of CRCC is still poorly understood. However, cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment can have long-term or delayed mental changes. In this study, we investigated the fundamental mechanism of CRCC in cancer patients based on experiments and a mathematical model that describes how tumor cells interact with CSCs in response to chemo drugs. In particular, we investigate how TZB-induced CSCs with modified IL-6 landscapes shape the cognitive functions in cancer patients. We showed that the combination treatment with another drug, atorvastatin (ATV), can abrogate the TZB-induced CRCC and enhance the survival probability of cancer patients by synergistic anti-tumor effect. We demonstrate that the cognitive functions and survival rates in cancer patients depend on the apoptotic signaling pathways via the critical communication and IL-6 landscapes of stimulated CTCs.
Collapse
|
34
|
Larson EA, Accardi MV, Zhong Y, Paquette D, Authier S. Drug-Induced Seizures: Considerations for Underlying Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Toxicol 2021; 40:403-412. [PMID: 34514888 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211040483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A broad spectrum of chemical entities have been associated with drug-induced seizure (DIS), emphasizing the importance of this potential liability across various drug classes (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, and analgesics among others). Despite its importance within drug safety testing, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with DIS is often lacking. The etiology of DIS is understood to be a result of either a deficit in inhibitory (e.g., gamma aminobutyric acid) or an elevated excitatory (e.g., glutamate) signaling, leading to synchronous neuronal depolarization affecting various brain regions and impairing normal neurological functions. How this altered neuronal signaling occurs and how these changes interact with other non-brain receptor driven DIS-associated changes such as metabolic disturbances, electrolyte imbalances, altered drug metabolism, and withdrawal effects are poorly understood. Herein, we discuss important molecular mechanisms identified in DIS for several drugs and/or drug classes. With a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with DIS, in vivo or in vitro models may be applied to characterize and mitigate DIS risk during drug development. Susceptibility stratification for DIS presents species differences in the following order beagle dogs > rodents and cynomolgus monkeys > Göttingen minipigs with a more than 2-fold difference between canines and minipigs, which is important to consider during non-clinical species selection. While clinical signs such as myoclonus, severe muscle jerks, or convulsions are often associated with abnormal epileptiform EEG activity, tremors are most of the time physiological and rarely observed with concurrent epileptiform EEG activity which need to be considered during DIS risk evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yifei Zhong
- Charles River Laboratories, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Simon Authier
- Charles River Laboratories, Laval, Quebec, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Blackstone C, Elwood F, Plun-Favreau H, Lewis PA. Vesicle trafficking and pathways to neurodegeneration. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:56. [PMID: 34419119 PMCID: PMC8379594 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00480-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Craig Blackstone
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Fiona Elwood
- grid.418424.f0000 0004 0439 2056Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Helene Plun-Favreau
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Patrick A. Lewis
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- grid.4464.20000 0001 2161 2573Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, NW1 0TU UK
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Blood–Brain Barrier Dynamic Device with Uniform Shear Stress Distribution for Microscopy and Permeability Measurements. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11125584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurology has always been one of the therapeutic areas with higher attrition rates. One of the main difficulties is the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that restricts access to the brain for major drugs. This low success rate has led to an increasing demand for in vitro tools. The shear stress, which positively affects endothelial cell differentiation by mimicking blood flow, is required for a more physiological in vitro BBB model. We created an innovative device specifically designed for cell culture under shear stress to investigate drug permeability. Our dynamic device encompasses two compartments communicating together via a semi-permeable membrane, on which human cerebral microvascular endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cells were seeded. The fluidic controlled environment ensures a laminar and homogenous flow to culture cells for at least seven days. Cell differentiation was characterized by immunodetection of inter-endothelial junctions directly in the device by confocal microscopy. Finally, we performed permeability assay with lucifer yellow in both static and dynamic conditions in parallel. Our dynamic device is suited to the evaluation of barrier function and the study of drug transport across the BBB, but it could also be used with other human cell types to reproduce intestinal or kidney barriers.
Collapse
|
37
|
Liu L, Zhang L, Feng H, Li S, Liu M, Zhao J, Liu H. Prediction of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Permeability of Chemicals Based on Machine-Learning and Ensemble Methods. Chem Res Toxicol 2021; 34:1456-1467. [PMID: 34047182 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ability of chemicals to enter the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key factor for central nervous system (CNS) drug development. Although many models for BBB permeability prediction have been developed, they have insufficient accuracy (ACC) and sensitivity (SEN). To improve performance, ensemble models were built to predict the BBB permeability of compounds. In this study, in silico ensemble-learning models were developed using 3 machine-learning algorithms and 9 molecular fingerprints from 1757 chemicals (integrated from 2 published data sets) to predict BBB permeability. The best prediction performance of the base classifier models was achieved by a prediction model based on an random forest (RF) and a MACCS molecular fingerprint with an ACC of 0.910, an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.957, a SEN of 0.927, and a specificity of 0.867 in 5-fold cross-validation. The prediction performance of the ensemble models is better than that of most of the base classifiers. The final ensemble model has also demonstrated good accuracy for an external validation and can be used for the early screening of CNS drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Liu
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.,Research Center for Computer Simulating and Information Processing of Bio-macromolecules of Shenyang, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.,Technology Innovation Center for Computer Simulating and Information Processing of Bio-macromolecules of Shenyang, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Huawei Feng
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Shimeng Li
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Miao Liu
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Hongsheng Liu
- Research Center for Computer Simulating and Information Processing of Bio-macromolecules of Shenyang, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.,Technology Innovation Center for Computer Simulating and Information Processing of Bio-macromolecules of Shenyang, Shenyang 110036, China.,School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tomas-Hernandez S, Blanco J, Garcia-Vallvé S, Pujadas G, Ojeda-Montes MJ, Gimeno A, Arola L, Minghetti L, Beltrán-Debón R, Mulero M. Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of the Grifola frondosa Natural Compound o-Orsellinaldehyde on LPS-Challenged Murine Primary Glial Cells. Roles of NF-κβ and MAPK. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:806. [PMID: 34071571 PMCID: PMC8229786 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to foreign or endogenous stimuli, both microglia and astrocytes adopt an activated phenotype that promotes the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. This inflammatory mechanism, known as neuroinflammation, is essential in the defense against foreign invasion and in normal tissue repair; nevertheless, when constantly activated, this process can become detrimental through the release of neurotoxic factors that amplify underlying disease. In consequence, this study presents the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of o-orsellinaldehyde, a natural compound found by an in silico approach in the Grifola frondosa mushroom, in astrocytes and microglia cells. For this purpose, primary microglia and astrocytes were isolated from mice brain and cultured in vitro. Subsequently, cells were exposed to LPS in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of this natural compound. Specifically, the results shown that o-orsellinaldehyde strongly inhibits the LPS-induced inflammatory response in astrocytes and microglia by decreasing nitrite formation and downregulating iNOS and HO-1 expression. Furthermore, in microglia cells o-orsellinaldehyde inhibits NF-κB activation; and potently counteracts LPS-mediated p38 kinase and JNK phosphorylation (MAPK). In this regard, o-orsellinaldehyde treatment also induces a significant cell immunomodulation by repolarizing microglia toward the M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype. Altogether, these results could partially explain the reported beneficial effects of G. frondosa extracts on inflammatory conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Tomas-Hernandez
- Cheminformatics and Nutrition Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; (S.T.-H.); (S.G.-V.); (G.P.); (M.J.O.-M.); (A.G.)
| | - Jordi Blanco
- Physiology Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Research in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43202 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain;
| | - Santiago Garcia-Vallvé
- Cheminformatics and Nutrition Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; (S.T.-H.); (S.G.-V.); (G.P.); (M.J.O.-M.); (A.G.)
| | - Gerard Pujadas
- Cheminformatics and Nutrition Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; (S.T.-H.); (S.G.-V.); (G.P.); (M.J.O.-M.); (A.G.)
| | - María José Ojeda-Montes
- Cheminformatics and Nutrition Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; (S.T.-H.); (S.G.-V.); (G.P.); (M.J.O.-M.); (A.G.)
- Molecular Modeling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aleix Gimeno
- Cheminformatics and Nutrition Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; (S.T.-H.); (S.G.-V.); (G.P.); (M.J.O.-M.); (A.G.)
- Joint IRB-BSC-CRG Program in Computational Biology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08020 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lluís Arola
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain;
| | - Luisa Minghetti
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Raúl Beltrán-Debón
- MoBioFood Research Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain;
| | - Miquel Mulero
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Campus Sescelades, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Loiodice S, Drinkenburg WH, Ahnaou A, McCarthy A, Viardot G, Cayre E, Rion B, Bertaina-Anglade V, Mano M, L’Hostis P, Drieu La Rochelle C, Kas MJ, Danjou P. Mismatch negativity as EEG biomarker supporting CNS drug development: a transnosographic and translational study. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:253. [PMID: 33927180 PMCID: PMC8085207 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of translation from basic research into new medicines is a major challenge in CNS drug development. The need to use novel approaches relying on (i) patient clustering based on neurobiology irrespective to symptomatology and (ii) quantitative biomarkers focusing on evolutionarily preserved neurobiological systems allowing back-translation from clinical to nonclinical research has been highlighted. Here we sought to evaluate the mismatch negativity (MMN) response in schizophrenic (SZ) patients, Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and age-matched healthy controls. To evaluate back-translation of the MMN response, we developed EEG-based procedures allowing the measurement of MMN-like responses in a rat model of schizophrenia and a mouse model of AD. Our results indicate a significant MMN attenuation in SZ but not in AD patients. Consistently with the clinical findings, we observed a significant attenuation of deviance detection (~104.7%) in rats subchronically exposed to phencyclidine, while no change was observed in APP/PS1 transgenic mice when compared to wild type. This study provides new insight into the cross-disease evaluation of the MMN response. Our findings suggest further investigations to support the identification of neurobehavioral subtypes that may help patients clustering for precision medicine intervention. Furthermore, we provide evidence that MMN could be used as a quantitative/objective efficacy biomarker during both preclinical and clinical stages of SZ drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Loiodice
- Biotrial Pharmacology, 7-9 rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35042, Rennes, France.
| | - Wilhelmus H. Drinkenburg
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutical NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium ,grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Abdallah Ahnaou
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutical NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Andrew McCarthy
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH UK
| | - Geoffrey Viardot
- Biotrial Neuroscience, Avenue de Bruxelles, 68350 Didenheim, France
| | - Emilie Cayre
- Biotrial Pharmacology, 7-9 rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Bertrand Rion
- Biotrial Pharmacology, 7-9 rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35042 Rennes, France
| | | | - Marsel Mano
- Biotrial Neuroscience, Avenue de Bruxelles, 68350 Didenheim, France
| | | | | | - Martien J. Kas
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Danjou
- Biotrial Neuroscience, Avenue de Bruxelles, 68350 Didenheim, France
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Since the introduction of insulin almost a century ago, more than 80 peptide drugs have reached the market for a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, HIV infection and chronic pain. In this Perspective, we summarize key trends in peptide drug discovery and development, covering the early efforts focused on human hormones, elegant medicinal chemistry and rational design strategies, peptide drugs derived from nature, and major breakthroughs in molecular biology and peptide chemistry that continue to advance the field. We emphasize lessons from earlier approaches that are still relevant today as well as emerging strategies such as integrated venomics and peptide-display libraries that create new avenues for peptide drug discovery. We also discuss the pharmaceutical landscape in which peptide drugs could be particularly valuable and analyse the challenges that need to be addressed for them to reach their full potential.
Collapse
|
41
|
Stępnik K. Biomimetic Chromatographic Studies Combined with the Computational Approach to Investigate the Ability of Triterpenoid Saponins of Plant Origin to Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3573. [PMID: 33808219 PMCID: PMC8037809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomimetic (non-cell based in vitro) and computational (in silico) studies are commonly used as screening tests in laboratory practice in the first stages of an experiment on biologically active compounds (potential drugs) and constitute an important step in the research on the drug design process. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of triterpenoid saponins of plant origin to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using both computational methods, including QSAR methodology, and biomimetic chromatographic methods, i.e., High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Immobilized Artificial Membrane (IAM) and cholesterol (CHOL) stationary phases, as well as Bio-partitioning Micellar Chromatography (BMC). The tested compounds were as follows: arjunic acid (Terminalia arjuna), akebia saponin D (Akebia quinata), bacoside A (Bacopa monnieri) and platycodin D (Platycodon grandiflorum). The pharmacokinetic BBB parameters calculated in silico show that three of the four substances, i.e., arjunic acid, akebia saponin D, and bacoside A exhibit similar values of brain/plasma equilibration rate expressed as logPSFubrain (the average logPSFubrain: -5.03), whereas the logPSFubrain value for platycodin D is -9.0. Platycodin D also shows the highest value of the unbound fraction in the brain obtained using the examined compounds (0.98). In these studies, it was found out for the first time that the logarithm of the analyte-micelle association constant (logKMA) calculated based on Foley's equation can describe the passage of substances through the BBB. The most similar logBB values were obtained for hydrophilic platycodin D, applying both biomimetic and computational methods. All of the obtained logBB values and physicochemical parameters of the molecule indicate that platycodin D does not cross the BBB (the average logBB: -1.681), even though the in silico estimated value of the fraction unbound in plasma is relatively high (0.52). As far as it is known, this is the first paper that shows the applicability of biomimetic chromatographic methods in predicting the penetration of triterpenoid saponins through the BBB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Stępnik
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Charvériat M, Lafon V, Mouthon F, Zimmer L. Innovative approaches in CNS drug discovery. Therapie 2021; 76:101-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
43
|
Bourasset F, Auvity S, Thorne RG, Scherrmann JM. Brain Distribution of Drugs: Brain Morphology, Delivery Routes, and Species Differences. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 273:97-120. [PMID: 33474672 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuropharmacokinetics considers cerebral drug distribution as a critical process for central nervous system drug action as well as for drug penetration through the CNS barriers. Brain distribution of small molecules obeys classical rules of drug partition, permeability, binding to fluid proteins or tissue components, and tissue perfusion. The biodistribution of all drugs, including both small molecules and biologics, may also be influenced by specific brain properties related to brain anatomy and physiological barriers, fluid dynamics, and cellular and biochemical composition, each of which can exhibit significant interspecies differences. All of these properties contribute to select optimal dosing paradigms and routes of drug delivery to reach brain targets for classical small molecule drugs as well as for biologics. The importance of these properties for brain delivery and exposure also highlights the need for efficient new analytical technologies to more comprehensively investigate drug distribution in the CNS, a complex multi-compartmentalized organ system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanchon Bourasset
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR-S1144, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Auvity
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR-S1144, Paris, France
| | - Robert G Thorne
- Denali Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Jean-Michel Scherrmann
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris, Paris, France. .,INSERM UMR-S1144, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Zhou X, Smith QR, Liu X. Brain penetrating peptides and peptide-drug conjugates to overcome the blood-brain barrier and target CNS diseases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 13:e1695. [PMID: 33470550 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nearly one in six people worldwide suffer from disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). There is an urgent need for effective strategies to improve the success rates in CNS drug discovery and development. The lack of effective technologies for delivering drugs and genes to the brain due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a structural barrier that effectively blocks most neurotherapeutic agents from reaching the brain, has posed a formidable hurdle for CNS drug development. Brain-homing and brain-penetrating molecular transport vectors, such as brain permeable peptides or BBB shuttle peptides, have shown promise in overcoming the BBB and ferrying the drug molecules to the brain. The BBB shuttle peptides are discovered by phage display technology or derived from natural neurotropic proteins or certain viruses and harness the receptor-mediated transcytosis molecular machinery for crossing the BBB. Brain permeable peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), composed of BBB shuttle peptides, linkers, and drug molecules, have emerged as a promising CNS drug delivery system by taking advantage of the endogenous transcytosis mechanism and tricking the brain into allowing these bioactive molecules to pass the BBB. Here, we examine the latest development of brain-penetrating peptide shuttles and brain-permeable PDCs as molecular vectors to deliver small molecule drug payloads across the BBB to reach brain parenchyma. Emerging knowledge of the contribution of the peptides and their specific receptors expressed on the brain endothelial cells, choice of drug payloads, the design of PDCs, brain entry mechanisms, and delivery efficiency to the brain are highlighted. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Quentin R Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas, USA
| | - Xinli Liu
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lin SX, Curtis MA, Sperry J. Pyridine alkaloids with activity in the central nervous system. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115820. [PMID: 33120080 PMCID: PMC7561606 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses all pyridine alkaloids with CNS activity, their therapeutic potential, and the interesting array of sources whence they originate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon X Lin
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Sperry
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
More SK, Pawar AP. Preparation, optimization and preliminary pharmacokinetic study of curcumin encapsulated turmeric oil microemulsion in zebra fish. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 155:105539. [PMID: 32898637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The present investigation aimed to develop curcumin loaded turmeric oil microemulsion for brain targeting. An effort has been made to investigate the role of functional components in developing brain targeted formulation which could enhance the bioavailability and uptake of drug in the brain upon oral administration. Preliminary studies like solubility study, emulsification study and construction of the pseudo ternary phase diagram were performed for screening components. The formulation was optimized by using extreme vertices mixture design. The optimized formulation was characterized for appearance, stability to centrifugation, dilution potential, globule size, zeta potential and drug content. Furthermore, ex-vivo permeation in chicken gut sac non everted technique and pharmacokinetic study in adult zebra fishes were carried out. The optimized formulation was found to clear, yellow-colored with the absence of phase separation and precipitation denoted the stability of formulation to centrifugation and dilution. The mean globule size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and drug content was observed as 29.13± 0.12 nm, 0.23 ± 0.01,-12.33 ± 1.37 mV and 99.10±3.91 %, respectively. Ex vivo permeation study revealed 2.41 fold enhancement in the steady-state flux when compared to curcumin solution. Furthermore, optimized formulation showed shorter Tmax (5 min) and higher AUC(0-∞) (7.93 μg/brain*min) compared to the curcumin solution which showed similar Tmax and AUC(0-∞) of 2.78 μg/brain*min after oral administration to zebra fishes revealing 3.97 fold enhancement. The results revealed enhanced ex vivo oral absorption and enhanced in vivo brain pharmacokinetics of curcumin via functional microemulsion in the zebra fish model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Kewal More
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Paud Road, Erandwane, Pune 411038, India.
| | - Atmaram Pandurang Pawar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Paud Road, Erandwane, Pune 411038, India.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Morofuji Y, Nakagawa S. Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases Using In vitro Blood-brain Barrier Models and Drug Repositioning. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:1466-1485. [PMID: 32091330 PMCID: PMC7499354 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200224112534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
An important goal of biomedical research is to translate basic research findings into practical clinical implementation. Despite the advances in the technology used in drug discovery, the development of drugs for central nervous system diseases remains challenging. The failure rate for new drugs targeting important central nervous system diseases is high compared to most other areas of drug discovery. The main reason for the failure is the poor penetration efficacy across the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier represents the bottleneck in central nervous system drug development and is the most important factor limiting the future growth of neurotherapeutics. Meanwhile, drug repositioning has been becoming increasingly popular and it seems a promising field in central nervous system drug development. In vitro blood-brain barrier models with high predictability are expected for drug development and drug repositioning. In this review, the recent progress of in vitro BBB models and the drug repositioning for central nervous system diseases will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Morofuji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakagawa
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Sharma A, Muresanu DF, Sahib S, Tian ZR, Castellani RJ, Nozari A, Lafuente JV, Buzoianu AD, Bryukhovetskiy I, Manzhulo I, Patnaik R, Wiklund L, Sharma HS. Concussive head injury exacerbates neuropathology of sleep deprivation: Superior neuroprotection by co-administration of TiO 2-nanowired cerebrolysin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and mesenchymal stem cells. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 258:1-77. [PMID: 33223033 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) is common in military personnel engaged in combat operations leading to brain dysfunction. Military personnel during acute or chronic SD often prone to traumatic brain injury (TBI) indicating the possibility of further exacerbating brain pathology. Several lines of evidence suggest that in both TBI and SD alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels decreases in plasma and brain. Thus, a possibility exists that exogenous supplement of α-MSH and/or BDNF induces neuroprotection in SD compounded with TBI. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are very portent in inducing neuroprotection in TBI. We examined the effects of concussive head injury (CHI) in SD on brain pathology. Furthermore, possible neuroprotective effects of α-MSH, MSCs and neurotrophic factors treatment were explored in a rat model of SD and CHI. Rats subjected to 48h SD with CHI exhibited higher leakage of BBB to Evans blue and radioiodine compared to identical SD or CHI alone. Brain pathology was also exacerbated in SD with CHI group as compared to SD or CHI alone together with a significant reduction in α-MSH and BDNF levels in plasma and brain and enhanced level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Exogenous administration of α-MSH (250μg/kg) together with MSCs (1×106) and cerebrolysin (a balanced composition of several neurotrophic factors and active peptide fragments) (5mL/kg) significantly induced neuroprotection in SD with CHI. Interestingly, TiO2 nanowired delivery of α-MSH (100μg), MSCs, and cerebrolysin (2.5mL/kg) induced enhanced neuroprotection with higher levels of α-MSH and BDNF and decreased the TNF-α in SD with CHI. These observations are the first to show that TiO2 nanowired administration of α-MSH, MSCs and cerebrolysin induces superior neuroprotection following SD in CHI, not reported earlier. The clinical significance of our findings in light of the current literature is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Dafin F Muresanu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; "RoNeuro" Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Seaab Sahib
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Z Ryan Tian
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Rudy J Castellani
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ala Nozari
- Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Anca D Buzoianu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Igor Bryukhovetskiy
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia; Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Igor Manzhulo
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia; Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Ranjana Patnaik
- Department of Biomaterials, School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Lars Wiklund
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hari Shanker Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Rps27a might act as a controller of microglia activation in triggering neurodegenerative diseases. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239219. [PMID: 32941527 PMCID: PMC7498011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are increasing serious menaces to human health in the recent years. Despite exhibiting different clinical phenotypes and selective neuronal loss, there are certain common features in these disorders, suggesting the presence of commonly dysregulated pathways. Identifying causal genes and dysregulated pathways can be helpful in providing effective treatment in these diseases. Interestingly, in spite of the considerable researches on NDDs, to the best of our knowledge, no dysregulated genes and/or pathways were reported in common across all the major NDDs so far. In this study, for the first time, we have applied the three-way interaction model, as an approach to unravel sophisticated gene interactions, to trace switch genes and significant pathways that are involved in six major NDDs. Subsequently, a gene regulatory network was constructed to investigate the regulatory communication of statistically significant triplets. Finally, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was applied to find possible common pathways. Because of the central role of neuroinflammation and immune system responses in both pathogenic and protective mechanisms in the NDDs, we focused on immune genes in this study. Our results suggest that "cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" pathway is enriched in all of the studied NDDs, while "osteoclast differentiation" and "natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity" pathways are enriched in five of the NDDs each. The results of this study indicate that three pathways that include "osteoclast differentiation", "natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity" and "cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" are common in five, five and six NDDs, respectively. Additionally, our analysis showed that Rps27a as a switch gene, together with the gene pair {Il-18, Cx3cl1} form a statistically significant and biologically relevant triplet in the major NDDs. More specifically, we suggested that Cx3cl1 might act as a potential upstream regulator of Il-18 in microglia activation, and in turn, might be controlled with Rps27a in triggering NDDs.
Collapse
|
50
|
Nguyen LD, Ehrlich BE. Cellular mechanisms and treatments for chemobrain: insight from aging and neurodegenerative diseases. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12075. [PMID: 32346964 PMCID: PMC7278555 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is a life-saving treatment for cancer patients, but also causes long-term cognitive impairment, or "chemobrain", in survivors. However, several challenges, including imprecise diagnosis criteria, multiple confounding factors, and unclear and heterogeneous molecular mechanisms, impede effective investigation of preventions and treatments for chemobrain. With the rapid increase in the number of cancer survivors, chemobrain is an urgent but unmet clinical need. Here, we leverage the extensive knowledge in various fields of neuroscience to gain insights into the mechanisms for chemobrain. We start by outlining why the post-mitotic adult brain is particularly vulnerable to chemotherapy. Next, through drawing comparisons with normal aging, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury, we identify universal cellular mechanisms that may underlie the cognitive deficits in chemobrain. We further identify existing neurological drugs targeting these cellular mechanisms that can be repurposed as treatments for chemobrain, some of which were already shown to be effective in animal models. Finally, we briefly describe future steps to further advance our understanding of chemobrain and facilitate the development of effective preventions and treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lien D Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience ProgramYale UniversityNew HavenCTUSA
| | - Barbara E Ehrlich
- Department of Pharmacology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience ProgramYale UniversityNew HavenCTUSA
| |
Collapse
|