The immunophilin-ligands FK506 and V-10,367 mediate neuroprotection by the heat shock response

FKBP Ligands-Where We Are and Where to Go?

In recent years, many members of the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) family were increasingly linked to various diseases. The binding domain of FKBPs differs only in a few amino acid residues, but their biological roles are versatile. High-affinity ligands with selectivity between close homologs are scarce. This review will give an overview of the most prominent ligands developed for FKBPs and highlight a perspective for future developments. More precisely, human FKBPs and correlated diseases will be discussed as well as microbial FKBPs in the context of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal therapeutics. The last section gives insights into high-affinity ligands as chemical tools and dimerizers.

The potential role of small heat shock proteins in mitochondria

Mitochondria play a central role in cellular metabolism, calcium homeostasis, redox signaling and cell fates. Mitochondrial homeostasis is tightly regulated, and mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently associated with severe human pathologies. Small heat shock proteins are molecular chaperones that play major roles in development, stress responses, and diseases, and have been envisioned as targets for therapy. The mechanisms that lie behind the cytoprotection of small heat shock proteins are related to the regulation of mitochondrial functions. This review recapitulates the current knowledge of the expression of various small heat shock proteins in mitochondria and discusses their implication in the role of mitochondria and their regulation. Based on their involvement in mitochondrial normal physiology and pathology, a better understanding of their roles and regulation will pave the way for innovative approaches for the successful treatment of a range of stress-related syndromes whose etiology is based upon dysfunction of mitochondria.

Unraveling the role of peptidyl-prolyl isomerases in neurodegeneration

Immunophilins are a family of highly conserved proteins with a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity that binds immunosuppressive drugs such as FK506, cyclosporin A, and rapamycin. Immunophilins can be divided into two subfamilies, the cyclophilins, and the FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs). Next to the immunophilins, a third group of peptidyl-prolyl isomerases exist, the parvulins, which do not influence the immune system. The beneficial role of immunophilin ligands in neurodegenerative disease models has been known for more than a decade but remains largely unexplained in terms of molecular mechanisms. In this review, we summarize reported effects of parvulins, immunophilins, and their ligands in the context of neurodegeneration. We focus on the role of FKBP12 in Parkinson's disease and propose it as a novel drug target for therapy of Parkinson's disease.

TNF-α contributes to caspase-3 independent apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells: role of NFAT

There is increasing evidence that soluble factors in inflammatory central nervous system diseases not only regulate the inflammatory process but also directly influence electrophysiological membrane properties of neurons and astrocytes. In this context, the cytokine TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) has complex injury promoting, as well as protective, effects on neuronal viability. Up-regulated TNF-α expression has also been found in various neurodegenerative diseases such as cerebral malaria, AIDS dementia, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke, suggesting a potential pathogenic role of TNF-α in these diseases as well. We used the neuroblastoma cells SK-N-MC. Transcriptional activity was measured using luciferase reporter gene assays by using lipofectin. We performed cotransfection experiments of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) promoter constructed with a dominant negative version of NFAT (dn-NFAT). Cell death was performed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)5,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and TUNEL assays. NFAT translocation was confirmed by Western blot. Involvement of NFAT in cell death was assessed by using VIVIT. P53, Fas-L, caspase-3, and caspase-9 expressions were carried out by Western blot. The mechanisms involved in TNF-α-induced cell death were assessed by using microarray analysis. TNF-α causes neuronal cell death in the absence of glia. TNF-α treatment results in nuclear translocation of NFAT through activation of calcineurin in a Ca²⁺ independent manner. We demonstrated the involvement of FasL/Fas, cytochrome c, and caspase-9 but the lack of caspase-3 activation. NB cell death was absolutely reverted in the presence of VIVIT, and partially diminished by anti-Fas treatment. These data demonstrate that TNF-α promotes FasL expression through NFAT activation in neuroblastoma cells and this event leads to increased apoptosis through independent caspase-3 activation.

The multiple faces of quercetin in neuroprotection

This review discusses the most recent data on the potential of quercetin to confer neuroprotection. Unfortunately, most of the in vitro studies have used quercetin aglycone, which is not detectable in the plasma or in the brain after oral intake. Moreover, quercetin metabolites and glycosides seem to be less neuroprotective and penetrate the BBB less efficiently than aglycone. Surprisingly, quercetin has beneficial effects on various in vivo models of neural disorders, particularly in cerebrovascular insults; contrasting data also do exist. This may be due to an increase of BBB permeability, described in many of these animal models, which would facilitate quercetin brain penetration. Although quercetin causes no significant toxicity in several animal studies, the risk for neurotoxicity is not negligible because of its narrow therapeutic dose-range in vitro. Notably, this risk may be even higher in the case of increased quercetin access to the brain, which may occur pathologically or artificially (e.g., by liposomal preparations). Based on the referred literature, we doubt that quercetin possesses any significant efficacy in neurodegenerative disorders. Instead, therapeutic trials should focus more on the quercetin efficacy in cerebrovascular insults rather than neurodegeneration.

Constitutive and oxidative-stress-induced expression of VEGF in the RPE are differently regulated by different Mitogen-activated protein kinases

PURPOSE

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a fundamental factor for angiogenesis. It plays important roles in pathological conditions (e.g. the development of wet AMD), but also in the healthy organism) e.g. in maintaining the vasculature and supporting the retina). Recent therapies to treat the wet AMD focus on neutralizing VEGF indiscriminately. VEGF is constitutively expressed in the retina, but its expression is upregulated by various (noxious) stimuli, e.g. oxidative stress or hypoxia. Discrimination between constitutive expression of VEGF and its pathological upregulation might provide the possibility of focusing on inhibiting the pathological expression only. Here, we focused on the influence of different mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (p38, Erk, JNK) on the secretion and expression of VEGF, with or without being challenged by oxidative stress.

METHODS

VEGF secretion was measured using a perfusion organ culture model; expression was examined in primary RPE culture and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Constitutive VEGF expression and secretion can be diminished by inhibiting p38, while inhibiting Erk or JNK does not show a significant effect. When challenged with oxidative stress (250 microM t-butylhydroperoxide), VEGF expression and secretion increases and the influence of the MAPK changes: While p38 still accounts for about 30% of the secretion, Erk shows a similar influence. Inhibiting JNK presents conflicting results. In organ culture, inhibiting JNK significantly increases VEGF secretion after stimulation with 250 microM tBH, while with regard to VEGF expression in RPE cell culture, this effect could not be seen.

CONCLUSION

Constitutive and oxidative stress induced VEGF secretion, and expression is differently regulated, which might offer an opportunity to selectively inhibit pathological VEGF expression only.

Behavioral and quantitative mitochondrial proteome analyses of the effects of simvastatin: implications for models of neural degeneration

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, is used for lowering elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. This translates into reduced cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality, while the drugs' anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have earmarked it as a potential treatment strategy against various neurological conditions. Statins have been shown to protect neurons from degeneration in a number of animal models. Although no mechanism completely explains the multiple benefits exerted by statins, emerging evidence suggests that in some degenerative and brain injury models, mitochondrial impairment may play a contributive rate. However, [corrected] evidence lacks to support a directly influencing role for statins on mitochondria-related proteins and motor behavior. Mitochondrial dysfunction may increase oxygen free radical production, which in turn leaves cells susceptible to energy failure, apoptosis and related events [corrected] which could prove fatal. The potential link between simvastatin treatment and mitochondrial function would be supported if key mitochondrial proteins were altered by simvastatin exposure. Using mass spectroscopy (MS), we identified 24 mitochondrial proteins that differed significantly (P < 0.05) in relative abundancy as a result of simvastatin treatment. The identified proteins represented many facets of mitochondrial integrity, with the majority forming part of the electron transport chain machinery, which is necessary for energy production. In a follow-up study, we then addressed whether simvastatin is capable of altering sensorimotor function in a mitochondrial toxin-induced animal model. Rats were pre-treated with simvastatin for 14 days, followed by a single unihemispheric (substantia nigra; SN) injection of rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I (Co-I) inhibitor. Results showed that simvastatin improved motor performance in rotenone-infused rats. The data are consistent with the possibility that alteration of mitochondrial function may contribute to the beneficial effects associated with statin use.

Analysis of FK506-mediated protection in an organotypic model of spinal cord damage: heat shock protein 70 levels are modulated in microglial cells

Functional loss after spinal cord injuries is originated by primary and secondary injury phases whose underlying mechanisms include massive release of excitatory amino acids to cytotoxic levels that contribute to neural death. Attenuation of this excitotoxicity is a key point for improving the functional outcome after injury. One of the drugs with potential neuroprotective actions is FK506, a molecule widely used as an immunosuppressant. FK506 may exert neuroprotection via inhibition of calcineurin by binding the FKBP12, or by binding other immunophilins such as FKBP52, leading to modulation of heat shock proteins (Hsp) 90 and 70. In the present study, we used an in vitro model of organotypic culture of rat spinal cord slices to assess whether FK506 is able to protect them against glutamate excitotoxicity. The results showed that FK506 promoted a significant protective effect on the spinal cord tissue at concentrations of 50 and 100 nM. Hsp70 induction was restricted to microglial cells in spinal cord slices treated with either glutamate or FK506. In contrast, the combination of both agents led to a transient reduction in Hsp70 levels in parallel to a marked reduction in IL-1beta precursor production by glial cells. The use of geldanamycin, which promotes persistent induction of Hsp70 in these cells as well as in motoneurons, did not produce tissue neuroprotection. These observations suggest that FK506 might protect spinal cord tissue by targeting on microglial cells and that transient downregulation of Hsp70 on these cells after excitotoxicity is a relevant mechanism of action of FK506.

Strain-specific differences in the effects of cyclosporin A and FK506 on the survival and regeneration of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in adult rats

The immune response can influence neuronal viability and plasticity after injury, effects differing in strains of rats with different susceptibility to autoimmune disease. We assessed the effects of i.p. injections of cyclosporin A (CsA) or FK506 on adult retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axonal regeneration into peripheral nerve (PN) autografted onto the cut optic nerve of rats resistant (Fischer F344) or vulnerable (Lewis) to autoimmune disease. Circulating and tissue CsA and FK506 levels were similar in both strains. Three weeks after autologous PN transplantation the number of viable beta-III tubulin-positive RGCs was significantly greater in CsA- and FK506-treated F344 rats compared with saline-injected controls. RGC survival in Lewis rats was not significantly altered. In F344 rats, retrograde labeling of RGCs revealed that CsA or FK506 treatment significantly increased the number of RGCs that regenerated an axon into a PN autograft; however these agents had no beneficial effect on axonal regeneration in Lewis rats. PN grafts in F344 rats also contained comparatively more pan-neurofilament immunoreactive axons. In both strains, 3 weeks after transplantation CsA or FK506 treatment resulted in increased retinal macrophage numbers, but only in F344 rats was this increase significant. At this time-point PN grafts in both strains contained many macrophages and some T cells. T cell numbers in Lewis rats were significantly greater than in F344 animals. The increased RGC axonal regeneration seen in CsA- or FK506-treated F344 but not Lewis rats shows that modulation of immune responses after neurotrauma has complex and not always predictable outcomes.

Neuroprotective and antiretroviral effects of the immunophilin ligand GPI 1046

HIV infection results in a neurodegenerative disorder for which currently there is no effective therapy available. Currently, available antiretroviral therapy has no impact on the production of early regulatory HIV proteins once the virus is integrated. Of these proteins, Tat was shown to be toxic to neurons. We, thus, used an in vitro neuronal culture system to determine if immunophilin ligands could protect against Tat-induced neurotoxicity. We found that GPI 1046 had potent neuroprotective effects in this model. The compound was able to protect the neurons even though it only partially obliterated Tat-induced oxidative stress in neurons, suggesting that other mechanisms may be important in mediating its neuroprotective effect. Furthermore, GPI 1046 showed inhibition of HIV replication and Tat-mediated long terminal repeat (LTR) activation suggesting that this class of compounds may be worthy of further exploration as a potential treatment for HIV dementia.

Olfactory ensheathing glia graft in combination with FK506 administration promote repair after spinal cord injury

The aim of this study was to determine whether a combination of olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) graft with the administration of FK506, two experimental approaches that have been previously reported to exert protective/regenerative effects after spinal cord injury, promotes synergic restorative effects after complete or partial spinal cord injuries. In partial spinal cord injury, combination of an OEC graft and FK506 reduced functional deficits evaluated by the BBB score, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and H reflex tests, diminished cavitation, astrogliosis and increased sparing/regeneration of raphespinal fibers compared to untreated and single-treatment groups of rats. After complete spinal cord transection, the combined treatment significantly improved functional outcomes, promoted axonal regeneration caudal to the lesion, and diminished astrogliosis compared only to non-transplanted animals. Slightly, but non-significant, better functional and histological results were found in OEC-grafted animals treated with FK506 than in those given saline after spinal cord transection. Nevertheless, the combined treatment increased the percentage of rats that recovered MEPs and promoted a significant reduction in astrogliosis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that OEC grafts combined with FK506 promote additive repair of spinal cord injuries to those exerted by single treatments, the effect being more remarkable when the spinal cord is partially lesioned.

Neuroimmunophilin ligands protect cavernous nerves after crush injury in the rat: new experimental paradigms

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of the orally bioavailable non-immunosuppressive immunophilin ligand GPI 1046 (GPI) on erectile function and cavernous nerve (CN) histology following unilateral or bilateral crush injury (UCI, BCI, respectively) of the CNs.

METHODS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered GPI 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip) or 30 mg/kg orally (po), FK506 1 mg/kg, ip, or vehicle controls for each route of administration just prior to UCI or BCI and daily up to 7 d following injury. At day 1 or 7 of treatment, erectile function induced by CN electrical stimulation was measured, and electron microscopic analysis of the injured CN was performed.

RESULTS

Intraperitoneal administration of GPI to rats with injured CN protected erectile function, in a fashion similar to the prototypic immunophilin ligand FK506, compared with vehicle-treated animals (93%+/-9% vs. 70%+/-5% vs. 45%+/-1%, p<0.01, respectively). Oral administration of GPI elicited the same level of significant protection from CN injury. GPI administered po at 30 mg/kg/d, dosing either once daily or four times daily with 7.5 mg/kg, provided nearly complete protection of erectile function. In a more severe BCI model, po administration of GPI maintained erectile function at 24 h after CN injury. Ultrastructural analysis of injured CNs indicated that GPI administered at the time of CN injury prevents degeneration of about 83% of the unmyelinated axons at 7 d after CN injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The orally administered immunophilin ligand GPI neuroprotects CNs and maintains erectile function in rats under various conditions of CN crush injury.

Neuroregenerative Effects of Preinjury FK-506 Administration

BACKGROUND

FK-506 is used in organ transplantation because it promotes neurite outgrowth in vitro and enhances neuroregeneration in peripheral nerve injury transection models. Immunosuppressive mechanisms of FK-506 are well defined, with demonstration of decreased neuroregenerative effects with delayed administration. The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of preinjury administration of FK-506 in rats with tibial nerve transection injury.

METHODS

Eight inbred male Lewis rats per group in three separate groups underwent tibial nerve transection with primary repair. Group I received placebo, group II received FK-506 treatment at 1 day before surgery, and group III received FK-506 preloading 3 days before surgery.

RESULTS

Histologic and histomorphometric results demonstrated the preload FK-506 group had superior results compared with the immediate FK-506 group. Both FK-506 groups were superior to the placebo group. The preload FK-506 demonstrated superior regeneration in mean total nerve fiber counts (p < 0.05), greater percentage neural tissue (p < 0.05), greater mean nerve fiber density (p < 0.05), and lower percentage of debris (p > 0.05). Mean nerve fiber widths were similar in the preload and immediate FK-506 groups but superior to the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that enhancement of FK-506's neuroregenerative effect is enhanced when administered before nerve injury such as when performing elective surgery.

FK506-Binding Protein Ligands: Structure-Based Design, Synthesis, and Neurotrophic/Neuroprotective Properties of Substituted 5,5-Dimethyl-2-(4-thiazolidine)carboxylates

Structure-based design and discovery of novel neuroimmunophilin FK506-binding protein (FKBP) ligands were pursued in the present study. The binding mode of the known FKBP ligand 1 (3-(3-pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate) in complex with FKBP12 was investigated using LUDI simulation and upon which a novel scaffold structure predicted to possess improved binding affinity was designed. A virtual combinatorial library composed of diverse combinations of two substituted groups was constructed using Project Library, followed by an automated screening of the library against the ligand binding site on FKBP52 using DOCK. Forty-three candidate compounds that displayed favorable binding with the receptor were identified and synthesized. The neurotrophic activity of the candidate compounds was evaluated on chick dorsal root ganglion cultures in vitro. As a result, 15 compounds exhibited positive effects on ganglion neurite outgrowth in the presence of 0.15 ng/mL NGF, among which 7 compounds at testing concentrations of 1 pM and 100 pM showed greater efficacy than 1 at 100 pM. Compound 18 (3-(3-pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-5,5-dimethyl-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxobutyl)-2-(4-thiazolidine)carboxylate) afforded the most potent effect in promoting the processes of neurite outgrowth and which was in a concentration-dependent manner from 1 pM to 100 pM. Half-maximal effect occurred at about 10 pM. Moreover, 18 at a dosage of 10 mg/kg was found to be significantly neuroprotective in a mouse peripheral sympathetic nerve injury model induced by 8 mg/kg 6-hydroxydopamine. This study further suggests the clinical potential of novel FKBP ligands as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

An analog of a dipeptide-like structure of FK506 increases glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression through cAMP response element-binding protein activated by heat shock protein 90/Akt signaling pathway

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an important neurotrophic factor that has therapeutic implications for neurodegenerative disorders. We previously showed that leucine-isoleucine (Leu-Ile), an analog of a dipeptide-like structure of FK506 (tacrolimus), induces GDNF expression both in vivo and in vitro. In this investigation, we sought to clarify the cellular mechanisms underlying the GDNF-inducing effect of this dipeptide. Leu-Ile transport was investigated using fluorescein isothiocyanate-Leu-Ile in cultured neurons, and the results showed the transmembrane mobility of this dipeptide. By liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and quartz crystal microbalance assay, we identified heat shock cognate protein 70 as a protein binding specifically to Leu-Ile, and molecular modeling showed that the ATPase domain is the predicted binding site. Leu-Ile stimulated Akt phosphorylation, which was attenuated significantly by heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor geldanamycin (GA). Moreover, enhanced interaction between phosphorylated Akt and Hsp90 was detected by immunoprecipitation. Leu-Ile elicited an increase in cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, which was inhibited by GA, indicating that CREB is a downstream target of Hsp90/Akt signaling. Leu-Ile elevated the levels of GDNF mRNA and protein expression, whereas inhibition of CREB blocked such effects. Leu-Ile promoted the binding activity of phosphorylated CREB with cAMP response element. These findings show that CREB plays a key role in transcriptional regulation of GDNF expression induced by Leu-Ile. In conclusion, Leu-Ile activates Hsp90/Akt/CREB signaling, which contributes to the upregulation of GDNF expression. It may represent a novel lead compound for the treatment of dopaminergic neurons or motoneuron diseases.

Neuroimmunophilin ligands improve functional recovery and increase axonal growth after spinal cord hemisection in rats

We have previously shown that FK506 accelerates the rate of nerve regeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and increases regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) axons into a peripheral nerve graft. In the present study, we examined whether FK506 and a nonimmunosuppressive derivative (FK1706) improve functional recovery and long distance regeneration following a hemisection lesion of spinal cord at T10/T11. Rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of either FK506 (2 mg/kg/day), FK1706 (2 mg/kg/day), an equivalent volume of saline or 30% DMSO as vehicle, respectively. Functional recovery was assessed using a modified Tarlov/Klinger scale, walking along progressively narrower wooden beams (7.7-1.7 cm widths), and analysis of footprints obtained during walking. Compared to both control groups, FK506 and FK1706-treated animals demonstrated significant functional recovery 4 days (beam walking), 2 weeks (footprints), and 4 weeks (Tarlov/Klinger scale). By 11 weeks, FK506-treated and FK1706-treated animals were able to walk, albeit poorly, along even the narrowest (1.7 cm) beam. At 11 weeks, the spinal cords were re-exposed and a small piece of gel foam-soaked Fluoro-Gold was placed on the injured side 2-cm caudal to the first injury. Five days later, the animals were perfused and tissues prepared for fluorescence microscopy. FK506-treated and FK1706-treated rats demonstrate a significantly greater number of retrogradely labeled neurons in the red nucleus. The results implicate a nonimmunosuppressant mechanism in FK506's action and suggest that FK506 or a nonimmunosuppressant derivative may be useful for treatment of spinal cord injuries.

FK 506 reduces tissue damage and prevents functional deficit after spinal cord injury in the rat

We examined the efficacy of FK 506 in reducing tissue damage after spinal cord injury in comparison to methylprednisolone (MP) treatment. Rats were subjected to a photochemical injury (T8) and were given a bolus of MP (30 mg/kg), FK 506 (2 mg/kg), or saline. An additional group received an initial bolus of FK 506 (2 mg/kg) followed by daily injections (0.2 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Functional recovery was evaluated using open-field walking, inclined plane tests, motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and the H-reflex response during 14 days postoperation (dpo). Tissue sparing and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), biotinylated tomato lectin LEC, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) immunoreactivity were quantified in the injured spinal cord. FK 506-treated animals demonstrated significantly better neurologic outcome, higher MEP amplitudes, and lower H-wave amplitude compared to that of saline-treated rats. In contrast, administration of MP did not result in significant differences with respect to the saline-treated group. Histologic examination revealed that tissue sparing was largest in FK 506-treated compared to saline and MP-treated animals. GFAP and COX-2 reactivity was decreased in animals treated with FK 506 compared to that in animals given MP or saline, whereas IL-1 beta expression was similarly reduced in both FK 506- and MP-treated groups. Microglia/macrophage response was reduced in FK 506 and MP-injected animals at 3 dpo, but only in MP-treated animals at 7 dpo with respect to saline-injected rats. Repeated administrations of FK 506 improved functional and histologic results to a greater degree than did a single bolus of FK 506. The results indicate that FK 506 administration protects the damaged spinal cord and should be considered as potential therapy for treating spinal cord injuries.

Neuroprotective effects of tacrolimus (FK506) in a model of ischemic cortical cell cultures: role of glutamate uptake and FK506 binding protein 12 kDa

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, observed in vivo, remain unclear. Here we quantify these effects in vitro, and evaluate the potential involvement of the glutamate and/or immunophilin FK506 binding protein 12 kDa in tacrolimus-induced neuroprotection.

METHODS

Primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes from rat cerebral cortex were subjected to transient oxygen-glucose deprivation. Neuronal injury was evaluated by cell counting after immunostaining experiments, lactate dehydrogenase release and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction. The involvement of the immunophilin FK506 binding protein 12 kDa was explored using an anti-FK506 binding protein 12 kDa antibody, (3-3-pyridyl)-1-propyl(2 s)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidine carboxylate and rapamycin. Extracellular glutamate and glutamate uptake were respectively measured by high performance liquid chromatography and l-[3H]glutamate incorporation.

RESULTS

When added during either oxygen-glucose deprivation or reoxygenation, FK506 (50-500 pM) offered significant neuroprotection. During oxygen-glucose deprivation, it was able to reverse the oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced increase in extracellular glutamate and decrease in glutamate uptake and this effect was reversed in the presence of threo-3-methyl glutamate, a specific inhibitor of glutamate transporter-1. Blocking FK506 binding protein 12 kDa inhibited the neuroprotection induced by tacrolimus added during either oxygen-glucose deprivation or reoxygenation. Tacrolimus-induced neuroprotection was also reversed in the presence of rapamycin, an immunosuppressant FK506 binding protein 12 kDa ligand devoid of neuroprotective properties and (3-3-pyridyl)-1-propyl(2 s)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidine carboxylate, a non-immunosuppressant ligand of FK506 binding protein 12 kDa, exerteing neuroprotective effects.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effects of tacrolimus during in vitro ischemia/reperfusion seem to indicate the restoration of a glutamate transporter-1-mediated activity and could be mediated by a FK506 binding protein 12 kDa pathway.

Calcineurin cleavage is triggered by elevated intraocular pressure, and calcineurin inhibition blocks retinal ganglion cell death in experimental glaucoma

Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) leads, by an unknown mechanism, to apoptotic retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma. We now report cleavage of the autoinhibitory domain of the protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) in two rodent models of increased IOP. Cleaved CaN was not detected in rat or mouse eyes with normal IOP. In in vitro systems, this constitutively active cleaved form of CaN has been reported to lead to apoptosis via dephosphorylation of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, Bad. In a rat model of glaucoma, we similarly detect increased Bad dephosphorylation, increased cytoplasmic cytochrome c (cyt c), and RGC death. Oral treatment of rats with increased IOP with the CaN inhibitor FK506 led to a reduction in Bad dephosphorylation and cyt c release. In accord with these biochemical results, we observed a marked increase in both RGC survival and optic nerve preservation. These data are consistent with a CaN-mediated mechanism of increased IOP toxicity. CaN cleavage was not observed at any time after optic nerve crush, suggesting that axon damage alone is insufficient to trigger cleavage. These findings implicate this mechanism of CaN activation in a chronic neurodegenerative disease. These data demonstrate that increased IOP leads to the initiation of a CaN-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in glaucoma and support neuroprotective strategies for this blinding disease.

Failure of FK506 (tacrolimus) to alleviate apomorphine-induced circling in rat Parkinson model in spite of some cytoprotective effects in SH-SY5Y dopaminergic cells

The mechanism of action of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is thought to involve the generation of free radicals and subsequent apoptotic processes. We have demonstrated in vitro that the neuroimmunophilin, FK506 (10-100 nM), dose dependently and significantly restored the ROS production to the control level, increased the Bcl-2 protein level, partly inhibited the cytochrome C release from mitochondria and reduced the caspase-3 activation in SH-SY5Y cells. On the other hand, there was no significant restoration of the ATP level by FK506 and the toxin activated proteins, p53 and Bax, were not normalized by FK506. In support of these latter results, daily administration of FK506 for 7 days to rats (0.5, 1 and 3 mg/kg i.p.) did not significantly prevent the apomorphine-induced contralateral circling, measured 2 weeks after unilateral nigral lesioning. Moreover, FK506 pretreatment did not significantly lower the toxin elevated lipid peroxidation levels, indicating that oxidative stress was present even after the FK506 treatment in the lesioned striatum. Taken together, our results with FK506 are inconsistent. We confirm the antioxidant nature of FK506, that is, it blocks ROS production in SH-SY5Y cells. However, there were no significant protective effects in any apoptotic analyses in SH-SY5Y cells and in animal studies, a 7-day FK506 pre-treatment was not able to reverse the toxic effect of 6-OHDA in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

JNK2 Translocates to the Mitochondria and Mediates Cytochrome c Release in PC12 Cells in Response to 6-Hydroxydopamine

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) causes death of dopaminergic neurons by mitochondrial dysfunction with JNKs as central mediators. Here we provide novel insights into specific actions of JNK isoforms in 6-OHDA-induced death of PC12 cells. Twenty five mum 6-OHDA enhanced total JNK activity in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and at the mitochondria. Inhibition of JNKs by 2 mum SP600125 or transfection with dominant-negative JNK2 (dnJNK2) rescued more than 60% of the otherwise dying PC12 cells after 24 h, whereas transfection with dnJNK1 had no protective effects. In contrast to constitutively present JNK1, JNK2 amounts increased in the nucleus and at the mitochondria after 6-OHDA stimulation. JNK inhibition by SP600125 or transfection of dnJNK2 reduced the pool of active JNKs in the nucleus, the release of cytochrome c, as well as the cleavage of caspase-3 and its substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. Transfection with dnJNK1, however, had no effects on the translocation of JNKs to the mitochondria or the release of cytochrome c. Our data provide novel functional insights into the pathological role of individual JNK isoforms, the signalosome at the mitochondria, and the mode of JNK-induced release of cytochrome c.

Neuroprotective effect of tacrolimus (FK506) on ischemic brain damage following permanent focal cerebral ischemia in the rat

We investigated the neuroprotective effect of tacrolimus (FK506) on the ischemic cell death with respect to cytochrome c translocation and DNA fragmentation, which are pivotal events in the necrotic and apoptotic signaling pathway, using permanent focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Immunohistochemically, cytochrome c was observed in the cytoplasm as early as 1 h after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in the infarcted hemisphere. Cytosolic release of cytochrome c after MCA occlusion was also confirmed by Western blot analysis and enzyme immunoassay. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed DNA fragmentation evolving in the ipsilateral cortex and the caudate putamen after 3 and 6 h, respectively, following MCA occlusion. Tacrolimus (1 mg/kg, i.v.), administered immediately after MCA occlusion, significantly attenuated the release of cytochrome c in the ischemic region, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the ischemic penumbra zone, and the size of cortical ischemic lesions. This study demonstrated that tacrolimus ameliorated the accumulation of cytochrome c in the cytosol and the increase of TUNEL-positive cells induced by cerebral ischemia, indicating that the neuroprotective action of tacrolimus on ischemic brain injury caused by permanent focal cerebral ischemia could partially be attributed to the attenuation of the activation of the apoptotic execution machinery.

Calcineurin is required for translational control of protein synthesis in rat pancreatic acini

CCK increases the rate of net protein synthesis in rat pancreatic acini by activating initiation and elongation factors required for translation. The immunosuppressant FK506 inhibits the Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin in pancreatic acinar cells and blocks pancreatic growth induced by chronic CCK treatment. To test a requirement for calcineurin in the activation of the translational machinery stimulated by CCK, we evaluated the effects of FK506 on protein synthesis and on regulatory initiation and elongation factors in rat pancreatic acini in vitro. CCK acutely increased protein synthesis in acini from normal rats with a maximum increase at 100 pM CCK to 170 ± 11% of control. The immunosuppressant FK506 dose-dependently inhibited CCK-stimulated protein synthesis over the same concentration range that blocked calcineurin activity, as assessed by dephosphorylation of the calcineurin substrate calcium-regulated heat-stable protein of 24 kDa. Another immunosuppressant, cyclosporin A, inhibited protein synthesis, but its effects appeared more complex. FK506 also inhibited protein synthesis stimulated by bombesin and carbachol. FK506 did not significantly affect the activity of the initiation factor-2B, or the phosphorylation of the initiation factor-2α, ribosomal protein protein S6, or the mRNA cap binding protein eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E. Instead, blockade of calcineurin with FK506 reduced the phosphorylation of the eIF4E binding protein, reduced the formation of the eIF4F complex, and increased the phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2. From these results, we conclude that calcineurin activity is required for protein synthesis, and this action may be related to an effect on the formation of the mRNA cap binding complex and the elongation processes.

Neuroregenerative and neuroprotective actions of neuroimmunophilin compounds in traumatic and inflammatory neuropathies

FK506 (tacrolimus, Prograf is an immunosuppressant drug that also has profound neuroregenerative and neuroprotective actions independent of its immunosuppressant activity. The separation of these properties has led to the development of non-immunosuppressant derivatives that retain the neurotrophic activity. This review focuses on the peripheral nerve actions of these compounds following mechanical injury (nerve crush or transection with graft repair) and in models of inflammatory neuropathies. Whereas FK506 may be indicative for the treatment of inflammatory neuropathies where its immunosuppressive action would be advantageous, non-immunosuppressant derivatives represent a new class of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of human neurological conditions in general. Moreover, these studies have led to the discovery of a novel mechanism whereby these compounds activate intrinsic neuroregenerative and neuroprotective pathways in the neuron.

IC101 induces apoptosis by Akt dephosphorylation via an inhibition of heat shock protein 90-ATP binding activity accompanied by preventing the interaction with Akt in L1210 cells

To find novel pharmacological tools useful for analyzing the molecular mechanism of apoptosis from natural resources, in the present study, we examined the activity of IC101, a cyclic depsipeptide isolated from Streptomyces sp. MJ202-72F3, to induce apoptosis in the L1210 cell line. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that IC101 caused a concentration-dependent cell death with a 50% effective concentration value of 20 nM. Cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, a typical DNA ladder pattern, and up-regulation of cleaved caspase-3 expression, which were biochemical characteristics of apoptosis, were induced by IC101. It also was observed that IC101 caused a concentration-dependent dephosphorylation of Akt and Bad without affecting phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, an upstream molecule of Akt. IC101 dephosphorylated the 90-kDa protein, as assayed by immunblotting of the cell extract by using anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. To identify the 90-kDa protein, immunoprecipitation and direct nano-flow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were performed to demonstrate that this protein was heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Consistently, it was observed that IC101 induced the HSP90 tyrosine dephosphorylation by immunoblot analysis of immunoprecipitates with anti-HSP90 antibody using anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. IC101 caused the degradation of Raf-1, which formed a complex with HSP90. The HSP90-ATP binding also was inhibited by IC101 in a noncompetitive manner. An interaction of HSP90 with Akt was shown to be inhibited by IC101 in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that IC101 dephosphorylates Akt through an inhibition of HSP90 functions, resulting in the interaction with Akt to induce apoptotic cell death of L1210 cells.

The immunosuppressant FK506 elicits a neuronal heat shock response and protects against acrylamide neuropathy

Acrylamide (AC) is a known industrial neurotoxic chemical that has been recently found in carbohydrate-rich foods cooked at high temperatures. Repeated AC administration produces a pronounced neuropathy characterized by flaccid paralysis and ataxia and represents a well-established animal model of progressive axonal loss. AC also elicits prominent morphologic alterations (e.g., eccentrically placed nuclei, infolding of the nuclear membrane, accumulations of dense bodies, and clusters of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) associated with numerous microtubules) in cerebellar Purkinje cells that may contribute to the pronounced ataxia in these animals. Here, we examined the neuroprotective action of FK506 (tacrolimus) in male and female rats given daily intraperitoneal injections of AC (30 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Daily subcutaneous injections of FK506 (2 mg/kg/day) dramatically reduced the behavioral signs of neuropathy (i.e., paralysis and ataxia), markedly protected against axonal loss (by 82% and 73% in the tibial nerves of male and female rats, respectively), and reduced the pathologic changes in Purkinje cells. In a separate study, subcutaneous injections of FK506 (2 or 10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks markedly increased heat shock protein-70 (Hsp-70) immunostaining in sensory neurons, motor neurons, Purkinje cells, and other regions of the brain (in particular, the amygdala) from nonintoxicated and AC-intoxicated rats compared to controls. In contrast, AC-intoxicated animals not given FK506 demonstrated reduced Hsp-70 staining. Thus, the ability of FK506 to increase Hsp-70 expression may underlie its neuroprotective action. We suggest that compounds capable of eliciting a heat shock response may be useful for the treatment of human neuropathies.

A novel mechanism of FK506-mediated neuroprotection: Downregulation of cytokine expression in glial cells

Immunosuppressant FK506 is neuroprotective in experimental models of cerebral ischemia, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection remain unknown. We have demonstrated that FK506 inhibits the signaling pathways that regulate hypertrophic/proliferative responses in cultured astrocytes. Ischemia/reperfusion injury is associated with the proliferation and hypertrophy of astrocytes and with inflammatory responses. In the present work, we sought to determine whether FK506 neuroprotection after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rat is mediated via suppression of glia activation and changes in cytokine expression. Neurological deficits, infarct size, and astrocyte/microglial response were quantified in rats subjected to 90 min of MCAo. Changes in the mRNA expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in ipsilateral and contralateral cortices were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FK506 administered at 1 mg/kg, 60 min after MCAo, produced a significant improvement in neurological function and reduction of infarct volume. In FK506-treated rats, a significant reduction of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha expression was observed 12 h after reperfusion. FK506 neuroprotection was associated with a significant downregulation of IL-1beta expression in astrocytes and microglia in the injured side. FK506 selectively decreased the levels of TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta mRNAs in astrocytes in vitro, with no effect on transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) and IL-6 expression. Moreover, FK506 inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation and cytokine expression in microglia in vitro. Our findings suggest that astrocytes and microglia are targets for FK506, and that modulation of glial response and inflammation may be a mechanism of FK506-mediated neuroprotection in ischemia.

Effects of immunosuppression on regrowth of adult rat retinal ganglion cell axons into peripheral nerve allografts

Analysis of the effectiveness of allografts and immunosuppression in the repair of nerve defects in the adult peripheral nervous system (PNS) has a long experimental and clinical history. There is little information, however, on the use of allografts in peripheral nerve (PN) transplantation into the injured central nervous system (CNS). We assessed the ability of PN allografts (from Dark-Agouti rats) to support regeneration of adult rat retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons in immunosuppressed host Lewis rats. PN allografts were sutured onto intraorbitally transected optic nerves. Three weeks after grafting, regenerating RGC axon numbers were determined using retrograde fluorescent labelling, and total axons within PN grafts were assessed using pan-neurofilament immunohistochemistry. In the absence of immunosuppression, PN allografts contained few axons and there were very few labelled RGC. These degenerate grafts contained many T cells and macrophages. Systemic (intraperitoneal) application of the immunosuppressants cyclosporin-A or FK506 reduced cellular infiltration into allografts and resulted in extensive axonal regrowth from surviving RGCs. The average number of RGCs regenerating axons into immunosuppressed allografts was not significantly different from that seen in PN autografts in rats sham-injected with saline. Many pan-neurofilament-positive axons, a proportion of which were myelinated, were seen in immunosuppressed allografts, particularly in proximal regions of the grafts toward the optic nerve-PN interface. This study demonstrates that PN allografts can support axonal regrowth in immunosuppressed adult hosts, and points to possible clinical use in CNS repair.

FK506 potentiates NGF-induced neurite outgrowth via the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and other members of the neurotrophin family are critical for the survival and differentiation of neurons within the peripheral and central nervous systems. Neurophilin ligands, including FK506, potentiate NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in several experimental models, although the mechanism of this potentiation is unclear. Therefore, we tested which signaling pathways were involved in FK506-potentiated neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using specific pharmacological inhibitors of various signaling molecules. Inhibitors of Ras (lovastatin), Raf (GW5074), or MAP kinase (PD98059 and U0126) blocked FK506 activity, as did inhibitors of phospholipase C (U73122) and phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (LY294002). Protein kinase C inhibitors (Go6983 and Ro31-8220) slightly but significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth, whereas inhibitors of p38 MAPK (SB203580) or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SP600125) had no effect. These data suggest that FK506 potentiates neurite outgrowth through the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase signaling pathway downstream of phospholipase C and phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase.