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Christoudia N, Bekas N, Kanata E, Chatziefsthathiou A, Pettas S, Karagianni K, Da Silva Correia SM, Schmitz M, Zerr I, Tsamesidis I, Xanthopoulos K, Dafou D, Sklaviadis T. Αnti-prion effects of anthocyanins. Redox Biol 2024; 72:103133. [PMID: 38565068 PMCID: PMC10990977 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103133] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, also known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), are protein-based neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affecting humans and animals. They are characterized by the conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, into the pathogenic isoform, PrPSc. Prion diseases are invariably fatal and despite ongoing research, no effective prophylactic or therapeutic avenues are currently available. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are unique flavonoid compounds and interest in their use as potential neuroprotective and/or therapeutic agents against NDs, has increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, we investigated the potential anti-oxidant and anti-prion effects of Oenin and Myrtillin, two of the most common anthocyanins, using the most accepted in the field overexpressing PrPScin vitro model and a cell free protein aggregation model. Our results, indicate both anthocyanins as strong anti-oxidant compounds, upregulating the expression of genes involved in the anti-oxidant response, and reducing the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), produced due to pathogenic prion infection, through the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Importantly, they showcased remarkable anti-prion potential, as they not only caused the clearance of pathogenic PrPSc aggregates, but also completely inhibited the formation of PrPSc fibrils in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Therefore, Oenin and Myrtillin possess pleiotropic effects, suggesting their potential use as promising preventive and/or therapeutic agents in prion diseases and possibly in the spectrum of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Christoudia
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Bekas
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Eirini Kanata
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Athanasia Chatziefsthathiou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Spyros Pettas
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Korina Karagianni
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Susana Margarida Da Silva Correia
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Ioannis Tsamesidis
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Guo B, Zheng C, Cao J, Qiu X, Luo F, Li H, Lee SM, Yang X, Zhang G, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Wang Y. Tetramethylpyrazine Nitrone Promotes the Clearance of Alpha-Synuclein via Nrf2-Mediated Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Activation. Neuromolecular Med 2024; 26:9. [PMID: 38568291 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-024-08775-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) and α-syn cytotoxicity are hallmarks of sporadic and familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-dependent enhancement of the expression of the 20S proteasome core particles (20S CPs) and regulatory particles (RPs) increases proteasome activity, which can promote α-syn clearance in PD. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) may reduce oxidative stress by strongly inducing Nrf2 gene expression. In the present study, tetramethylpyrazine nitrone (TBN), a potent-free radical scavenger, promoted α-syn clearance by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in cell models overexpressing the human A53T mutant α-syn. In the α-syn transgenic mice model, TBN improved motor impairment, decreased the products of oxidative damage, and down-regulated the α-syn level in the serum. TBN consistently up-regulated PGC-1α and Nrf2 expression in tested models of PD. Additionally, TBN similarly enhanced the proteasome 20S subunit beta 8 (Psmb8) expression, which is linked to chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity. Furthermore, TBN increased the mRNA levels of both the 11S RPs subunits Pa28αβ and a proteasome chaperone, known as the proteasome maturation protein (Pomp). Interestingly, specific siRNA targeting of Nrf2 blocked TBN's effects on Psmb8, Pa28αβ, Pomp expression, and α-syn clearance. In conclusion, TBN promotes the clearance of α-syn via Nrf2-mediated UPS activation, and it may serve as a potentially disease-modifying therapeutic agent for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chengyou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School of Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jie Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiaoling Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Fangcheng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Haitao Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, 519041, China
| | - Simon Mingyuan Lee
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macao SAR, China
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 8, Longyuan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Gaoxiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yewei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Zaijun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Yuqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Institute of New Drug Research, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, 601# Huangpu Road, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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3
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Jiwaji Z, Hardingham GE. The consequences of neurodegenerative disease on neuron-astrocyte metabolic and redox interactions. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106255. [PMID: 37558170 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106255] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metabolic pathways relating to bioenergetic and redox homeostasis are closely linked, and deficits in these pathways are thought to occur in many neurodegenerative diseases. Astrocytes play important roles in both processes, and growing evidence suggests that neuron-astrocyte intercellular signalling ensures brain bioenergetic and redox homeostasis in health. Moreover, alterations to this crosstalk have been observed in the context of neurodegenerative pathology. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of how neuron-astrocyte interactions influence brain metabolism and antioxidant functions in health as well as during neurodegeneration. It is apparent that deleterious and adaptive protective responses alter brain metabolism in disease, and that knowledge of both may illuminate targets for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoeb Jiwaji
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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Jiwaji Z, Márkus NM, McQueen J, Emelianova K, He X, Dando O, Chandran S, Hardingham GE. General anesthesia alters CNS and astrocyte expression of activity-dependent and activity-independent genes. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1216366. [PMID: 37670849 PMCID: PMC10476527 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1216366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
General anesthesia represents a common clinical intervention and yet can result in long-term adverse CNS effects particularly in the elderly or dementia patients. Suppression of cortical activity is a key feature of the anesthetic-induced unconscious state, with activity being a well-described regulator of pathways important for brain health. However, the extent to which the effects of anesthesia go beyond simple suppression of neuronal activity is incompletely understood. We found that general anesthesia lowered cortical expression of genes induced by physiological activity in vivo, and recapitulated additional patterns of gene regulation induced by total blockade of firing activity in vitro, including repression of neuroprotective genes and induction of pro-apoptotic genes. However, the influence of anesthesia extended beyond that which could be accounted for by activity modulation, including the induction of non activity-regulated genes associated with inflammation and cell death. We next focused on astrocytes, important integrators of both neuronal activity and inflammatory signaling. General anesthesia triggered gene expression changes consistent with astrocytes being in a low-activity environment, but additionally caused induction of a reactive profile, with transcriptional changes enriched in those triggered by stroke, neuroinflammation, and Aß/tau pathology. Thus, while the effects of general anesthesia on cortical gene expression are consistent with the strong repression of brain activity, further deleterious effects are apparent including a reactive astrocyte profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoeb Jiwaji
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Usher Institute, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nóra M. Márkus
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie McQueen
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Emelianova
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Xin He
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Dando
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Giles E. Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Significance: Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are disorders of the brain and/or spinal cord and include neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor belonging to the cap-n-collar family that harbors a unique basic leucine zipper motif and plays as a master regulator of homeostatic responses. Recent Advances: Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) is an adaptor of the Cullin3 (CUL3)-based ubiquitin E3 ligase that enhances the ubiquitylation of NRF2, which promotes the degradation of NRF2 to suppress its transcriptional activity in the absence of stress. Cysteine residues of KEAP1 are modified under stress conditions, and NRF2 degradation is attenuated, allowing it to accumulate and induce the expression of target genes. This regulatory system is referred to as the KEAP1-NRF2 system and plays a central role in protecting cells against various stresses. NRF2 also negatively regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes and suppresses pathological inflammation. As oxidative stress, inflammation, and proteostasis are known to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, the KEAP1-NRF2 system is an attractive target for the treatment of these diseases. Critical Issues: In mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases, Nrf2 depletion exacerbates symptoms and enhances oxidative damage and inflammation in the CNS. In contrast, chemical or genetic NRF2 activation improves these symptoms. Indeed, the NRF2-activating chemical dimethyl fumarate is now widely used for the clinical treatment of MS. Future Directions: The KEAP1-NRF2 system is a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Uruno
- Department of Integrative Genomics, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Integrative Genomics, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Activation of Nrf2 to Optimise Immune Responses to Intracerebral Haemorrhage. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101438. [PMID: 36291647 PMCID: PMC9599325 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemorrhage into the brain parenchyma can be devastating. This manifests as spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) after head trauma, and in the context of vascular dementia. Randomised controlled trials have not reliably shown that haemostatic treatments aimed at limiting ICH haematoma expansion and surgical approaches to reducing haematoma volume are effective. Consequently, treatments to modulate the pathophysiological responses to ICH, which may cause secondary brain injury, are appealing. Following ICH, microglia and monocyte derived cells are recruited to the peri-haematomal environment where they phagocytose haematoma breakdown products and secrete inflammatory cytokines, which may trigger both protective and harmful responses. The transcription factor Nrf2, is activated by oxidative stress, is highly expressed by central nervous system microglia and macroglia. When active, Nrf2 induces a transcriptional programme characterised by increased expression of antioxidant, haem and heavy metal detoxification and proteostasis genes, as well as suppression of proinflammatory factors. Therefore, Nrf2 activation may facilitate adaptive-protective immune cell responses to ICH by boosting resistance to oxidative stress and heavy metal toxicity, whilst limiting harmful inflammatory signalling, which can contribute to further blood brain barrier dysfunction and cerebral oedema. In this review, we consider the responses of immune cells to ICH and how these might be modulated by Nrf2 activation. Finally, we propose potential therapeutic strategies to harness Nrf2 to improve the outcomes of patients with ICH.
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Jiwaji Z, Hardingham GE. Good, bad, and neglectful: Astrocyte changes in neurodegenerative disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 182:93-99. [PMID: 35202786 PMCID: PMC8969603 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play key roles in CNS development as well as well as neuro-supportive roles in the mature brain including ionic, bioenergetic and redox homeostasis. Astrocytes undergo rapid changes following acute CNS insults such as stroke or traumatic brain injury, but are also profoundly altered in chronic neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. While disease-altered astrocytes are often referred to as reactive, this does not represent a single cellular state or group of states, but a shift in astrocyte properties that is determined by the type of insult as well as spatio-temporal factors. Such changes can accelerate disease progression due to astrocytes neglecting their normal homeostatic neuro-supportive roles, as well as by gaining active neuro-toxic properties. However, other aspects of astrocytic responses to chronic disease can include the induction of adaptive-protective pathways. This is particularly the case when considering antioxidant defences, which can be up-regulated in many cell types, including astrocytes, in response to stresses, sometimes in concert with the activation of detoxification and proteostasis pathways. Protective responses, whilst potentially serving to mitigate neuronal dysfunction, may ultimately fail due to being insufficiently strong, or be offset by other deleterious changes to astrocytes occurring in parallel. Nevertheless, a greater understanding of early adaptive-protective responses of astrocytes to neurodegenerative disease pathology may point to ways in which these responses may be harnessed for therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoeb Jiwaji
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh Medical School, EH16 4SB, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh Medical School, EH16 4SB, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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NRF2 Activation Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Improves Mitochondrial Function and Synaptic Plasticity, and in A53T α-Synuclein Hippocampal Neurons. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 11:antiox11010026. [PMID: 35052530 PMCID: PMC8772776 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease (PD), brain oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to neuronal loss as well as motor and cognitive deficits. The transcription factor NRF2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in PD because it sits at the intersection of antioxidant and mitochondrial pathways. Here, we investigate the effects of modulating NRF2 activity in neurons isolated from a A53T α-synuclein (A53TSyn) mouse model of synucleinopathy. Embryonic hippocampal neurons were isolated from A53TSyn mice and their wild type (WT) littermates. Neurons were treated with either the NRF2 activator dimethyl fumarate (DMF) or the NRF2 inhibitor ML385. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), dendritic arborization and dendritic spine density were quantified. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were also profiled in these neurons. A53TSyn neurons had increased ROS and reduced basal and maximal mitochondrial respiration relative to WT neurons. A53TSyn neurons also displayed decreased dendritic arborization and reduced spine density. Treatment with DMF reduced ROS levels and improved both mitochondrial function and arborization, while inhibition of NRF2 with ML385 exacerbated these endpoints. Modulation of NRF2 activity had a significant effect on mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and synaptic plasticity in A53TSyn neurons. These data suggest that NRF2 may be a viable target for therapeutic interventions in PD.
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Janowski M, Milewska M, Zare P, Pękowska A. Chromatin Alterations in Neurological Disorders and Strategies of (Epi)Genome Rescue. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:765. [PMID: 34451862 PMCID: PMC8399958 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080765] [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: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders (NDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions that affect the function of the nervous system. Often incurable, NDs have profound and detrimental consequences on the affected individuals' lives. NDs have complex etiologies but commonly feature altered gene expression and dysfunctions of the essential chromatin-modifying factors. Hence, compounds that target DNA and histone modification pathways, the so-called epidrugs, constitute promising tools to treat NDs. Yet, targeting the entire epigenome might reveal insufficient to modify a chosen gene expression or even unnecessary and detrimental to the patients' health. New technologies hold a promise to expand the clinical toolkit in the fight against NDs. (Epi)genome engineering using designer nucleases, including CRISPR-Cas9 and TALENs, can potentially help restore the correct gene expression patterns by targeting a defined gene or pathway, both genetically and epigenetically, with minimal off-target activity. Here, we review the implication of epigenetic machinery in NDs. We outline syndromes caused by mutations in chromatin-modifying enzymes and discuss the functional consequences of mutations in regulatory DNA in NDs. We review the approaches that allow modifying the (epi)genome, including tools based on TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, and we highlight how these new strategies could potentially change clinical practices in the treatment of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aleksandra Pękowska
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.); (M.M.); (P.Z.)
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Okechukwu C. Deciphering and manipulating the epigenome for the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. MGM JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_90_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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