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Bi W, Bao K, Zhou X, Deng Y, Li X, Zhang J, Lan X, Zhao J, Lu D, Xu Y, Cen Y, Cao R, Xu M, Zhong W, Zhu L. PSMC5 regulates microglial polarization and activation in LPS-induced cognitive deficits and motor impairments by interacting with TLR4. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:277. [PMID: 38001534 PMCID: PMC10668523 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02904-9] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Luteolin is a flavonoid found in high concentrations in celery and green pepper, and acts as a neuroprotectant. PSMC5 (proteasome 26S subunit, ATPase 5) protein levels were reduced after luteolin stimulation in activated microglia. We aimed to determine whether regulating PSMC5 expression could inhibit neuroinflammation, and investigate the underlying mechanisms.BV2 microglia were transfected with siRNA PSMC5 before the addition of LPS (lipopolysaccharide, 1.0 µg/ml) for 24 h in serum free DMEM. A mouse model of LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairment was established to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of shRNA PSMC5. Intracerebroventricular administration of shRNA PSMC5 was commenced 7 days prior to i.p. injection of LPS (750 μg/kg). Treatments and behavioral experiments were performed once daily for 7 consecutive days. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays were performed to evaluate LPS-induced hippocampal damage. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to confirm the interaction between PSMC5 and TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. SiRNA PSMC5 inhibited BV2 microglial activation, and suppressed the release of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS) upon after LPS stimulation in BV2 microglia. LPS increased IκB-α and p65 phosphorylation, which was attenuated by siRNA PSMC5. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays showed that shRNA PSMC5 attenuated LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairments, and restored synaptic ultrastructure and protein levels in mice. ShRNA PSMC5 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE2, and NO) levels in the serum and brain, and relevant protein factors (iNOS and COX-2) in the brain. Furthermore, shRNA PSMC5 upregulated the anti-inflammatory mediators interleukin IL-4 and IL-10 in the serum and brain, and promoted a pro-inflammation-to-anti-inflammation phenotype shift in microglial polarization. Mechanistically, shRNA PSMC5 significantly alleviated LPS-induced TLR4 expression. The polarization of LPS-induced microglial pro-inflammation phenotype was abolished by TLR4 inhibitor and in the TLR-4-/- mouse, as in shRNA PSMC5 treatment. PSMC5 interacted with TLR4 via the amino sites Glu284, Met139, Leu127, and Phe283. PSMC5 site mutations attenuated neuroinflammation and reduced pro-inflammatory factors by reducing TLR4-related effects, thereby reducing TLR4-mediated MyD88 (myeloid differentiation factor 88)-dependent activation of NF-κB. PSMC5 could be an important therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases involving neuroinflammation-associated cognitive deficits and motor impairments induced by microglial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Bi
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Clinical Neuoscience Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Keyao Bao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xinqi Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yihui Deng
- Central Laboratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xin Lan
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiayi Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Daxiang Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yezi Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yanmei Cen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Rui Cao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Mengyang Xu
- Department of Biology, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wenbin Zhong
- Department of Biology, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Lihong Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Germ-free Animals and Microbiota Application, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Barendrecht S, Schreurs A, Geissler S, Sabanov V, Ilse V, Rieckmann V, Eichentopf R, Künemund A, Hietel B, Wussow S, Hoffmann K, Körber-Ferl K, Pandey R, Carter GW, Demuth HU, Holzer M, Roßner S, Schilling S, Preuss C, Balschun D, Cynis H. A novel human tau knock-in mouse model reveals interaction of Abeta and human tau under progressing cerebral amyloidosis in 5xFAD mice. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:16. [PMID: 36641439 PMCID: PMC9840277 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01144-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperphosphorylation and intraneuronal aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is a major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Of special interest is the effect of cerebral amyloid beta deposition, the second main hallmark of AD, on human tau pathology. Therefore, studying the influence of cerebral amyloidosis on human tau in a novel human tau knock-in (htau-KI) mouse model could help to reveal new details on their interplay. METHODS We studied the effects of a novel human htau-KI under fast-progressing amyloidosis in 5xFAD mice in terms of correlation of gene expression data with human brain regions, development of Alzheimer's-like pathology, synaptic transmission, and behavior. RESULTS The main findings are an interaction of human beta-amyloid and human tau in crossbred 5xFADxhtau-KI observed at transcriptional level and corroborated by electrophysiology and histopathology. The comparison of gene expression data of the 5xFADxhtau-KI mouse model to 5xFAD, control mice and to human AD patients revealed conspicuous changes in pathways related to mitochondria biology, extracellular matrix, and immune function. These changes were accompanied by plaque-associated MC1-positive pathological tau that required the htau-KI background. LTP deficits were noted in 5xFAD and htau-KI mice in contrast to signs of rescue in 5xFADxhtau-KI mice. Increased frequencies of miniature EPSCs and miniature IPSCs indicated an upregulated presynaptic function in 5xFADxhtau-KI. CONCLUSION In summary, the multiple interactions observed between knocked-in human tau and the 5xFAD-driven progressing amyloidosis have important implications for future model development in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Barendrecht
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - An Schreurs
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Geissler
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Victor Sabanov
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Victoria Ilse
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Vera Rieckmann
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Rico Eichentopf
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anja Künemund
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hietel
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wussow
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Katrin Hoffmann
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Human Genetics, Magdeburger Strasse 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Kerstin Körber-Ferl
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Human Genetics, Magdeburger Strasse 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Ravi Pandey
- grid.249880.f0000 0004 0374 0039The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
| | - Gregory W. Carter
- grid.249880.f0000 0004 0374 0039The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Max Holzer
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany ,grid.427932.90000 0001 0692 3664Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Straße 55, 06366 Köthen, Germany
| | - Christoph Preuss
- grid.249880.f0000 0004 0374 0039The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
| | - Detlef Balschun
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Holger Cynis
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
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3
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Ennerfelt H, Frost EL, Shapiro DA, Holliday C, Zengeler KE, Voithofer G, Bolte AC, Lammert CR, Kulas JA, Ulland TK, Lukens JR. SYK coordinates neuroprotective microglial responses in neurodegenerative disease. Cell 2022; 185:4135-4152.e22. [PMID: 36257314 PMCID: PMC9617784 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have begun to reveal critical roles for the brain's professional phagocytes, microglia, and their receptors in the control of neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) and myelin debris accumulation in neurodegenerative disease. However, the critical intracellular molecules that orchestrate neuroprotective functions of microglia remain poorly understood. In our studies, we find that targeted deletion of SYK in microglia leads to exacerbated Aβ deposition, aggravated neuropathology, and cognitive defects in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Disruption of SYK signaling in this AD model was further shown to impede the development of disease-associated microglia (DAM), alter AKT/GSK3β-signaling, and restrict Aβ phagocytosis by microglia. Conversely, receptor-mediated activation of SYK limits Aβ load. We also found that SYK critically regulates microglial phagocytosis and DAM acquisition in demyelinating disease. Collectively, these results broaden our understanding of the key innate immune signaling molecules that instruct beneficial microglial functions in response to neurotoxic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ennerfelt
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Training Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Frost
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Daniel A Shapiro
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Coco Holliday
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Kristine E Zengeler
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Training Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gabrielle Voithofer
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ashley C Bolte
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Catherine R Lammert
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Joshua A Kulas
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Tyler K Ulland
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - John R Lukens
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Training Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, UVA, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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4
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Ramón-Landreau M, Sánchez-Puelles C, López-Sánchez N, Lozano-Ureña A, Llabrés-Mas AM, Frade JM. E2F4DN Transgenic Mice: A Tool for the Evaluation of E2F4 as a Therapeutic Target in Neuropathology and Brain Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012093. [PMID: 36292945 PMCID: PMC9603043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
E2F4 was initially described as a transcription factor with a key function in the regulation of cell quiescence. Nevertheless, a number of recent studies have established that E2F4 can also play a relevant role in cell and tissue homeostasis, as well as tissue regeneration. For these non-canonical functions, E2F4 can also act in the cytoplasm, where it is able to interact with many homeostatic and synaptic regulators. Since E2F4 is expressed in the nervous system, it may fulfill a crucial role in brain function and homeostasis, being a promising multifactorial target for neurodegenerative diseases and brain aging. The regulation of E2F4 is complex, as it can be chemically modified through acetylation, from which we present evidence in the brain, as well as methylation, and phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of E2F4 within a conserved threonine motif induces cell cycle re-entry in neurons, while a dominant negative form of E2F4 (E2F4DN), in which the conserved threonines have been substituted by alanines, has been shown to act as a multifactorial therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We generated transgenic mice neuronally expressing E2F4DN. We have recently shown using this mouse strain that expression of E2F4DN in 5xFAD mice, a known murine model of AD, improved cognitive function, reduced neuronal tetraploidization, and induced a transcriptional program consistent with modulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide proteostasis and brain homeostasis recovery. 5xFAD/E2F4DN mice also showed reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis in both the cerebral cortex and hippocampus at 3-6 months of age. Here, we analyzed the immune response in 1 year-old 5xFAD/E2F4DN mice, concluding that reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis is maintained at this late stage. In addition, the expression of E2F4DN also reduced age-associated microgliosis in wild-type mice, thus stressing its role as a brain homeostatic agent. We conclude that E2F4DN transgenic mice represent a promising tool for the evaluation of E2F4 as a therapeutic target in neuropathology and brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Ramón-Landreau
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Puelles
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Noelia López-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Lozano-Ureña
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina M. Llabrés-Mas
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Frade
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
- Cajal International Neuroscience Center, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, UAH Science and Technology Campus, Avenida León 1, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-585-4740
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5
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Preclinical and randomized clinical evaluation of the p38α kinase inhibitor neflamapimod for basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5308. [PMID: 36130946 PMCID: PMC9492778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32944-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosome-associated GTPase Rab5 is a central player in the molecular mechanisms leading to degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN), a long-standing target for drug development. As p38α is a Rab5 activator, we hypothesized that inhibition of this kinase holds potential as an approach to treat diseases associated with BFCN loss. Herein, we report that neflamapimod (oral small molecule p38α inhibitor) reduces Rab5 activity, reverses endosomal pathology, and restores the numbers and morphology of BFCNs in a mouse model that develops BFCN degeneration. We also report on the results of an exploratory (hypothesis-generating) phase 2a randomized double-blind 16-week placebo-controlled clinical trial (Clinical trial registration: NCT04001517/EudraCT #2019-001566-15) of neflamapimod in mild-to-moderate dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), a disease in which BFCN degeneration is an important driver of disease expression. A total of 91 participants, all receiving background cholinesterase inhibitor therapy, were randomized 1:1 between neflamapimod 40 mg or matching placebo capsules (taken orally twice-daily if weight <80 kg or thrice-daily if weight >80 kg). Neflamapimod does not show an effect in the clinical study on the primary endpoint, a cognitive-test battery. On two secondary endpoints, a measure of functional mobility and a dementia rating-scale, improvements were seen that are consistent with an effect on BFCN function. Neflamapimod treatment is well-tolerated with no study drug associated treatment discontinuations. The combined preclinical and clinical observations inform on the validity of the Rab5-based pathogenic model of cholinergic degeneration and provide a foundation for confirmatory (hypothesis-testing) clinical evaluation of neflamapimod in DLB.
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6
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Chen C, Ma X, Wei J, Shakir N, Zhang JK, Zhang L, Nehme A, Cui Y, Ferguson D, Bai F, Qiu S. Early impairment of cortical circuit plasticity and connectivity in the 5XFAD Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:371. [PMID: 36075886 PMCID: PMC9458752 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02132-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), are expressed throughout the life span. How these risk factors affect early brain development and function remain largely unclear. Analysis of animal models with high constructive validity for AD, such as the 5xFAD mouse model, may provide insights on potential early neurodevelopmental effects that impinge on adult brain function and age-dependent degeneration. The 5XFAD mouse model over-expresses human amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) harboring five familial AD mutations. It is unclear how the expression of these mutant proteins affects early developing brain circuits. We found that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) layer 5 (L5) neurons in 5XFAD mice exhibit transgenic APP overloading at an early post-weaning age. Impaired synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation, LTP) was seen at 6-8 weeks age in L5 PFC circuit, which was correlated with increased intracellular APP. APP overloading was also seen in L5 pyramidal neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) during the critical period of plasticity (4-5 weeks age). Whole-cell patch clamp recording in V1 brain slices revealed reduced intrinsic excitability of L5 neurons in 5XFAD mice, along with decreased spontaneous miniature excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Functional circuit mapping using laser scanning photostimulation (LSPS) combined with glutamate uncaging uncovered reduced excitatory synaptic connectivity onto L5 neurons in V1, and a more pronounced reduction in inhibitory connectivity, indicative of altered excitation and inhibition during VC critical period. Lastly, in vivo single-unit recording in V1 confirmed that monocular visual deprivation-induced ocular dominance plasticity during critical period was impaired in 5XFAD mice. Our study reveals plasticity deficits across multiple cortical regions and indicates altered early cortical circuit developmental trajectory as a result of mutant APP/PS1 over-expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Chen
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008 China ,grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Jing Wei
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Neha Shakir
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Jessica K. Zhang
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Le Zhang
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Antoine Nehme
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Yuehua Cui
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XBasic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Feng Bai
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China.
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
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7
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Zhou R, Zhu L, Zeng Z, Luo R, Zhang J, Guo R, Zhang L, Zhang Q, Bi W. Targeted brain delivery of
RVG29‐modified rifampicin‐loaded
nanoparticles for Alzheimer's disease treatment and diagnosis. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10395. [PMID: 36176608 PMCID: PMC9472014 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10395] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an aging‐related neurodegenerative disease. The main pathological features of AD are β‐amyloid protein (Aβ) deposition and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Currently, there are no effective drugs for the etiological treatment of AD. Rifampicin (RIF) is a semi‐synthetic broad‐spectrum antibiotic with anti‐β‐amyloid deposition, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptosis, and neuroprotective effects, but its application in AD treatment has been limited for its strong hydrophobicity, high toxicity, short half‐life, low bioavailability, and blood–brain barrier hindrance. We designed a novel brain‐targeted and MRI‐characteristic nanomedicine via loading rabies virus protein 29 (RVG29), rifampicin, and Gd on poly (l‐lactide) nanoparticles (RIF@PLA‐PEG‐Gd/Mal‐RVG29). The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that RIF@PLA‐PEG‐Gd/Mal‐RVG29 had favorable biocompatibility and security. Fluorescence imaging in vivo showed that PLA‐PEG‐Gd/Mal‐RVG29 could deliver rifampicin into the brain by enhancing cellular uptake and brain targeting performance, leading to improvement of the bioavailability of rifampicin. In in vivo study, RIF@PLA‐PEG‐Gd/Mal‐RVG29 improved the spatial learning and memory capability of APP/PS1 mice in the Morris water maze, as compared to rifampicin. Immunofluorescence, TEM, immunoblotting, and H&E staining revealed that RIF@PLA‐PEG‐Gd/Mal‐RVG29 reduced Aβ deposition in hippocampal and cortex of APP/PS1 mice, improved the damage of synaptic ultrastructure, increased the expression level of PSD95 and SYP, as well as reduced the necrosis of neurons. These findings suggest that RIF@PLA‐PEG‐Gd/Mal‐RVG29 may be an effective strategy for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyi Zhou
- Department of Neurology The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Lihong Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaohao Zeng
- Department of Neurology The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Rixin Luo
- Department of Neurology The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Drug Carrier Development, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Cerebrovascular Disease The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai People's Republic of China
| | - Qunying Zhang
- Department of Cardiology The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Bi
- Department of Neurology The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University Guangzhou People's Republic of China
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8
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Aranđelović J, Santrač A, Batinić B, Todorović L, Stevanović V, Tiruveedhula VVNPB, Sharmin D, Rashid F, Stanojević B, Cook JM, Savić MM. Effects of α5 GABA A receptor modulation on social interaction, memory, and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1767-1778. [PMID: 35822698 PMCID: PMC9532908 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims GABAergic modulation involved in cognitive processing appears to be substantially changed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a widely used 5xFAD model of AD, we aimed to assess if negative and positive allosteric modulators of α5 GABAA receptors (NAM and PAM, respectively) would affect social interaction, social, object and spatial memory, and neuroinflammation. Methods After 10‐day treatment with PAM, NAM, or solvent, 6‐month‐old transgenic and non‐transgenic 5xFAD mice underwent testing in a behavioral battery. Gene expressions of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, GFAP, and IBA‐1 were determined in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex by qPCR. Results PAM treatment impaired spatial learning in transgenic females compared to solvent‐treated transgenic females, and social recognition in transgenic and non‐transgenic males. NAM treatment declined social interaction in transgenic and non‐transgenic males, while had beneficial effect on cognitive flexibility in non‐transgenic males compared to solvent‐treated non‐transgenic males. Transgenic animals have not fully displayed cognitive symptoms, but neuroinflammation was confirmed. NAM reduced proinflammatory gene expressions in transgenic females and astrogliosis in transgenic males compared to pathological controls. Conclusion PAM and NAM failed to exert favorable behavioral effects in transgenic animals. Suppression of neuroinflammation obtained with NAM calls for more studies with GABAergic ligands in amyloid beta‐ and/or tau‐dependent models with prominent neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Aranđelović
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anja Santrač
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojan Batinić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lidija Todorović
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Stevanović
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Dishary Sharmin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Farjana Rashid
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Boban Stanojević
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Rayne Institute, London, UK
| | - James M Cook
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Miroslav M Savić
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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9
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Mansour HM, Fawzy HM, El-Khatib AS, Khattab MM. Repurposed anti-cancer epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors: mechanisms of neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:1913-1918. [PMID: 35142667 PMCID: PMC8848623 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.332132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous molecular mechanisms are being examined in an attempt to discover disease-modifying drugs to slow down the underlying neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies have shown the beneficial effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors on the enhancement of behavioral and pathological sequelae in Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the promising effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease, there is no irrefutable neuroprotective evidence in well-established animal models using epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors due to many un-explored downstream signaling pathways. This caused controversy about the potential involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in any prospective clinical trial. In this review, the mystery beyond the under-investigation of epidermal growth factor receptor in Alzheimer’s disease will be discussed. Furthermore, their molecular mechanisms in neurodegeneration will be explained. Also, we will shed light on SARS-COVID-19 induced neurological manifestations mediated by epidermal growth factor modulation. Finally, we will discuss future perspectives and under-examined epidermal growth factor receptor downstream signaling pathways that warrant more exploration. We conclude that epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are novel effective therapeutic approaches that require further research in attempts to be repositioned in the delay of Alzheimer’s disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M Mansour
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority, EDA, formerly NODCAR, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hala M Fawzy
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority, EDA, formerly NODCAR, Giza, Egypt
| | - Aiman S El-Khatib
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Khattab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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10
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Arbo BD, Schimith LE, Goulart dos Santos M, Hort MA. Repositioning and development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases: Focus on neuroinflammation. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 919:174800. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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11
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Inflammation and Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications by Natural Products. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:9982954. [PMID: 34381308 PMCID: PMC8352708 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9982954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no clear causative event making the disease difficult to diagnose and treat. The pathological hallmarks of AD include amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and widespread neuronal loss. Amyloid-beta has been extensively studied and targeted to develop an effective disease-modifying therapy, but the success rate in clinical practice is minimal. Recently, neuroinflammation has been focused on as the event in AD progression to be targeted for therapies. Various mechanistic pathways including cytokines and chemokines, complement system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathways are linked to neuroinflammation in the AD brain. Many cells including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes work together to protect the brain from injury. This review is focused to better understand the AD inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes to develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs to slow down the progression of AD.
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12
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Antibody Protection against Long-Term Memory Loss Induced by Monomeric C-Reactive Protein in a Mouse Model of Dementia. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070828. [PMID: 34356892 PMCID: PMC8301488 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP), the activated isoform of CRP, induces tissue damage in a range of inflammatory pathologies. Its detection in infarcted human brain tissue and its experimentally proven ability to promote dementia with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) traits at 4 weeks after intrahippocampal injection in mice have suggested that it may contribute to the development of AD after cerebrovascular injury. Here, we showed that a single hippocampal administration of mCRP in mice induced memory loss, lasting at least 6 months, along with neurodegenerative changes detected by increased levels of hyperphosphorylated tau protein and a decrease of the neuroplasticity marker Egr1. Furthermore, co-treatment with the monoclonal antibody 8C10 specific for mCRP showed that long-term memory loss and tau pathology were entirely avoided by early blockade of mCRP. Notably, 8C10 mitigated Egr1 decrease in the mouse hippocampus. 8C10 also protected against mCRP-induced inflammatory pathways in a microglial cell line, as shown by the prevention of increased generation of nitric oxide. Additional in vivo and in vitro neuroprotective testing with the anti-inflammatory agent TPPU, an inhibitor of the soluble epoxide hydrolase enzyme, confirmed the predominant involvement of neuroinflammatory processes in the dementia induced by mCRP. Therefore, locally deposited mCRP in the infarcted brain may be a novel biomarker for AD prognosis, and its antibody blockade opens up therapeutic opportunities for reducing post-stroke AD risk.
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13
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Prins ND, Harrison JE, Chu HM, Blackburn K, Alam JJ, Scheltens P. A phase 2 double-blind placebo-controlled 24-week treatment clinical study of the p38 alpha kinase inhibitor neflamapimod in mild Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2021; 13:106. [PMID: 34044875 PMCID: PMC8157623 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00843-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In preclinical studies, p38⍺ kinase is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. In animal models, it mediates impaired synaptic dysfunction in the hippocampus, causing memory deficits, and is involved in amyloid-beta (Aβ) production and tau pathology. METHODS The REVERSE-SD (synaptic dysfunction) study was a multi-center phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the p38⍺ kinase inhibitor neflamapimod; conducted December 29, 2017, to June 17, 2019; 464 participants screened, and 161 randomized to either 40 mg neflamapimod (78 study participants) or matching placebo (83 study participants), orally twice daily for 24 weeks. Study participants are as follows: CSF AD-biomarker confirmed, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR)-global score 0.5 or 1.0, CDR-memory score ≥0.5, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 20-28. The primary endpoint was the improvement in episodic memory, assessed by combined change in Z-scores of Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) Total and Delayed Recall. Secondary endpoints included change in Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS) Immediate and Delayed Recall composites, CDR-SB, MMSE, and CSF biomarkers [total and phosphorylated tau (T-tau and p-tau181), Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, neurogranin, and neurofilament light chain]. RESULTS At randomization, the mean age is 72, 50% female, 77% with CDR-global score 0.5, and mean MMSE score 23.8. The incidence of discontinuation for adverse events and serious adverse events (all considered unrelated) was 3% each. No significant differences between treatment groups were observed in the primary or secondary clinical endpoints. Significantly reduced CSF levels with neflamapimod treatment, relative to placebo, were evident for T-tau [difference (95% CI): -18.8 (-35.8, -1.8); P=0.031] and p-tau181 [-2.0 (-3.6, -0.5); P=0.012], with a trend for neurogranin [-21.0 (-43.6, 1.6); P=0.068]. In pre-specified pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) analyses, subjects in the highest quartile of trough plasma neflamapimod levels demonstrated positive trends, compared with placebo, in HLVT-R and WMS. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE A 24-week treatment with 40 mg neflamapimod twice daily did not improve episodic memory in patients with mild AD. However, neflamapimod treatment lowered CSF biomarkers of synaptic dysfunction. Combined with PK-PD findings, the results indicate that a longer duration study of neflamapimod at a higher dose level to assess effects on AD progression is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03402659 . Registered on January 18, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels D Prins
- Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Brain Research Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - John E Harrison
- Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Metis Cognition Ltd., Wiltshire, UK
| | | | | | | | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Brain Research Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Revuelta M, Elicegui A, Scheuer T, Endesfelder S, Bührer C, Moreno-Cugnon L, Matheu A, Schmitz T. In vitro P38MAPK inhibition in aged astrocytes decreases reactive astrocytes, inflammation and increases nutritive capacity after oxygen-glucose deprivation. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:6346-6358. [PMID: 33563843 PMCID: PMC7993689 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Proper astroglial functioning is essential for the development and survival of neurons and oligodendroglia under physiologic and pathological circumstances. Indeed, malfunctioning of astrocytes represents an important factor contributing to brain injury. However, the molecular pathways of this astroglial dysfunction are poorly defined. In this work we show that aging itself can drastically perturb astrocyte viability with an increase of inflammation, cell death and astrogliosis. Moreover, we demonstrate that oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) has a higher impact on nutritive loss in aged astrocytes compared to young ones, whereas aged astrocytes have a higher activity of the anti-oxidant systems. P38MAPK signaling has been identified to be upregulated in neurons, astrocytes and microglia after ischemic stroke. By using a pharmacological p38α specific inhibitor (PH-797804), we show that p38MAPK pathway has an important role in aged astrocytes for inflammatory and oxidative stress responses with the subsequent cell death that occurs after OGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miren Revuelta
- Department for Neonatology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin 13353, Germany
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, San Sebastian 20014, Spain
| | - Amaia Elicegui
- Department for Neonatology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin 13353, Germany
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Till Scheuer
- Department for Neonatology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Stefanie Endesfelder
- Department for Neonatology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Christoph Bührer
- Department for Neonatology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Leire Moreno-Cugnon
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, San Sebastian 20014, Spain
| | - Ander Matheu
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, San Sebastian 20014, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Spain
- CIBERfes, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Thomas Schmitz
- Department for Neonatology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin 13353, Germany
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15
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Canovas B, Nebreda AR. Diversity and versatility of p38 kinase signalling in health and disease. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:346-366. [PMID: 33504982 PMCID: PMC7838852 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-00322-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cells to deal with different types of stressful situations in a precise and coordinated manner is key for survival and involves various signalling networks. Over the past 25 years, p38 kinases — in particular, p38α — have been implicated in the cellular response to stress at many levels. These span from environmental and intracellular stresses, such as hyperosmolarity, oxidative stress or DNA damage, to physiological situations that involve important cellular changes such as differentiation. Given that p38α controls a plethora of functions, dysregulation of this pathway has been linked to diseases such as inflammation, immune disorders or cancer, suggesting the possibility that targeting p38α could be of therapeutic interest. In this Review, we discuss the organization of this signalling pathway focusing on the diversity of p38α substrates, their mechanisms and their links to particular cellular functions. We then address how the different cellular responses can be generated depending on the signal received and the cell type, and highlight the roles of this kinase in human physiology and in pathological contexts. p38α — the best-characterized member of the p38 kinase family — is a key mediator of cellular stress responses. p38α is activated by a plethora of signals and functions through a multitude of substrates to regulate different cellular behaviours. Understanding context-dependent p38α signalling provides important insights into p38α roles in physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Canovas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel R Nebreda
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain. .,ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Alam JJ, Krakovsky M, Germann U, Levy A. Continuous administration of a p38α inhibitor during the subacute phase after transient ischemia-induced stroke in the rat promotes dose-dependent functional recovery accompanied by increase in brain BDNF protein level. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233073. [PMID: 33275615 PMCID: PMC7717516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is unmet need for effective stroke therapies. Numerous neuroprotection attempts for acute cerebral ischemia have failed and as a result there is growing interest in developing therapies to promote functional recovery through increasing synaptic plasticity. For this research study, we hypothesized that in addition to its previously reported role in mediating cell death during the acute phase, the alpha isoform of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38α, may also contribute to interleukin-1β-mediated impairment of functional recovery during the subacute phase after acute ischemic stroke. Accordingly, an oral, brain-penetrant, small molecule p38α inhibitor, neflamapimod, was evaluated as a subacute phase stroke treatment to promote functional recovery. Neflamapimod administration to rats after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion at two dose levels was initiated outside of the previously characterized therapeutic window for neuroprotection of less than 24 hours for p38α inhibitors. Six-week administration of neflamapimod, starting at 48 hours after reperfusion, significantly improved behavioral outcomes assessed by the modified neurological severity score at Week 4 and at Week 6 post stroke in a dose-dependent manner. Neflamapimod demonstrated beneficial effects on additional measures of sensory and motor function. It also resulted in a dose-related increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels, a previously reported potential marker of synaptic plasticity that was measured in brain homogenates at sacrifice. Taken together with literature evidence on the role of p38α-dependent suppression by interleukin-1β of BDNF-mediated synaptic plasticity and BDNF production, our findings support a mechanistic model in which inhibition of p38α promotes functional recovery after ischemic stroke by blocking the deleterious effects of interleukin-1β on synaptic plasticity. The dose-related in vivo efficacy of neflamapimod offers the possibility of having a therapy for stroke that could be initiated outside the short time window for neuroprotection and for improving recovery after a completed stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J. Alam
- EIP Pharma, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Ursula Germann
- EIP Pharma, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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17
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Benn CL, Dawson LA. Clinically Precedented Protein Kinases: Rationale for Their Use in Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:242. [PMID: 33117143 PMCID: PMC7494159 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinases are an intensively studied drug target class in current pharmacological research as evidenced by the large number of kinase inhibitors being assessed in clinical trials. Kinase-targeted therapies have potential for treatment of a broad array of indications including central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In addition to the many variables which contribute to identification of a successful therapeutic molecule, drug discovery for CNS-related disorders also requires significant consideration of access to the target organ and specifically crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To date, only a small number of kinase inhibitors have been reported that are specifically designed to be BBB permeable, which nonetheless demonstrates the potential for success. This review considers the potential for kinase inhibitors in the context of unmet medical need for neurodegenerative disease. A subset of kinases that have been the focus of clinical investigations over a 10-year period have been identified and discussed individually. For each kinase target, the data underpinning the validity of each in the context of neurodegenerative disease is critically evaluated. Selected molecules for each kinase are identified with information on modality, binding site and CNS penetrance, if known. Current clinical development in neurodegenerative disease are summarized. Collectively, the review indicates that kinase targets with sufficient rationale warrant careful design approaches with an emphasis on improving brain penetrance and selectivity.
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18
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Asih PR, Prikas E, Stefanoska K, Tan ARP, Ahel HI, Ittner A. Functions of p38 MAP Kinases in the Central Nervous System. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:570586. [PMID: 33013322 PMCID: PMC7509416 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.570586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a central component in signaling networks in a multitude of mammalian cell types. This review covers recent advances on specific functions of p38 MAP kinases in cells of the central nervous system. Unique and specific functions of the four mammalian p38 kinases are found in all major cell types in the brain. Mechanisms of p38 activation and downstream phosphorylation substrates in these different contexts are outlined and how they contribute to functions of p38 in physiological and under disease conditions. Results in different model organisms demonstrated that p38 kinases are involved in cognitive functions, including functions related to anxiety, addiction behavior, neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration, and decision making. Finally, the role of p38 kinases in psychiatric and neurological conditions and the current progress on therapeutic inhibitors targeting p38 kinases are covered and implicate p38 kinases in a multitude of CNS-related physiological and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prita R Asih
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Prikas
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristie Stefanoska
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda R P Tan
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Holly I Ahel
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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19
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Germann UA, Alam JJ. P38α MAPK Signaling-A Robust Therapeutic Target for Rab5-Mediated Neurodegenerative Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5485. [PMID: 32751991 PMCID: PMC7432772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Multifactorial pathologies, involving one or more aggregated protein(s) and neuroinflammation are common in major neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. This complexity of multiple pathogenic drivers is one potential explanation for the lack of success or, at best, the partial therapeutic effects, respectively, with approaches that have targeted one specific driver, e.g., amyloid-beta, in Alzheimer's disease. Since the endosome-associated protein Rab5 appears to be a convergence point for many, if not all the most prominent pathogenic drivers, it has emerged as a major therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disease. Further, since the alpha isoform of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38α) is a major regulator of Rab5 activity and its effectors, a biology that is distinct from the classical nuclear targets of p38 signaling, brain-penetrant selective p38α kinase inhibitors provide the opportunity for significant therapeutic advances in neurogenerative disease through normalizing dysregulated Rab5 activity. In this review, we provide a brief summary of the role of Rab5 in the cell and its association with neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. We then discuss the connection between Rab5 and p38α and summarize the evidence that through modulating Rab5 activity there are therapeutic opportunities in neurodegenerative diseases for p38α kinase inhibitors.
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20
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Fagiani F, Lanni C, Racchi M, Govoni S. Targeting dementias through cancer kinases inhibition. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2020; 6:e12044. [PMID: 32671184 PMCID: PMC7341824 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The failures in Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy strongly suggest the importance of reconsidering the research strategies analyzing other mechanisms that may take place in AD as well as, in general, in other neurodegenerative dementias. Taking into account that in AD a variety of defects result in neurotransmitter activity and signaling efficiency imbalance, neuronal cell degeneration and defects in damage/repair systems, aberrant and abortive cell cycle, glial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, a target may be represented by the intracellular signaling machinery provided by the kinome. In particular, based on the observations of a relationship between cancer and AD, we focused on cancer kinases for targeting neurodegeneration, highlighting the importance of targeting the intracellular pathways at the intersection between cell metabolism control/duplication, the inhibition of which may stop a progression in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fagiani
- Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section)University of PaviaPaviaItaly
- Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Cristina Lanni
- Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section)University of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Marco Racchi
- Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section)University of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Stefano Govoni
- Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section)University of PaviaPaviaItaly
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21
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Schnöder L, Gasparoni G, Nordström K, Schottek A, Tomic I, Christmann A, Schäfer KH, Menger MD, Walter J, Fassbender K, Liu Y. Neuronal deficiency of p38α-MAPK ameliorates symptoms and pathology of APP or Tau-transgenic Alzheimer's mouse models. FASEB J 2020; 34:9628-9649. [PMID: 32475008 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902731rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia with very limited therapeutic options. Amyloid β (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) are key pathogenic molecules in AD. P38α-MAPK is specifically activated in AD lesion sites. However, its effects on AD pathogenesis, especially on p-Tau-associated brain pathology, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We mated human APP-transgenic mice and human P301S Tau-transgenic mice with mapk14-floxed and neuron-specific Cre-knock-in mice. We observed that deletion of p38α-MAPK specifically in neurons improves the cognitive function of both 9-month-old APP and Tau-transgenic AD mice, which is associated with decreased Aβ and p-Tau load in the brain. We further used next-generation sequencing to analyze the gene transcription in brains of p38α-MAPK deficient and wild-type APP-transgenic mice, which indicated that deletion of p38α-MAPK regulates the transcription of calcium homeostasis-related genes, especially downregulates the expression of grin2a, a gene encoding NMDAR subunit NR2A. Cell culture experiments further verified that deletion of p38α-MAPK inhibits NMDA-triggered calcium influx and neuronal apoptosis. Our systemic studies of AD pathogenic mechanisms using both APP- and Tau-transgenic mice suggested that deletion of neuronal p38α-MAPK attenuates AD-associated brain pathology and protects neurons in AD pathogenesis. This study supports p38α-MAPK as a novel target for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schnöder
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,German Institute for Dementia Prevention (DIDP), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Gilles Gasparoni
- Department of Genetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Karl Nordström
- Department of Genetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andrea Schottek
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,German Institute for Dementia Prevention (DIDP), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Inge Tomic
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,German Institute for Dementia Prevention (DIDP), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anne Christmann
- Working Group Enteric Nervous System, University of Applied Sciences, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Karl H Schäfer
- Working Group Enteric Nervous System, University of Applied Sciences, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Michael D Menger
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of Genetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Klaus Fassbender
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,German Institute for Dementia Prevention (DIDP), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,German Institute for Dementia Prevention (DIDP), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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22
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Gee MS, Son SH, Jeon SH, Do J, Kim N, Ju YJ, Lee SJ, Chung EK, Inn KS, Kim NJ, Lee JK. A selective p38α/β MAPK inhibitor alleviates neuropathology and cognitive impairment, and modulates microglia function in 5XFAD mouse. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2020; 12:45. [PMID: 32317025 PMCID: PMC7175487 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-020-00617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Chronic neuroinflammation, aggressive amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, neuronal cell loss, and cognitive impairment are pathological presentations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, resolution of neuroinflammation and inhibition of Aβ-driven pathology have been suggested to be important strategies for AD therapy. Previous efforts to prevent AD progression have identified p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as a promising target for AD therapy. Recent studies showed pharmacological inhibition of p38α MAPK improved memory impairment in AD mouse models. Methods In this study, we used an AD mouse model, 5XFAD, to explore the therapeutic potential of NJK14047 which is a novel, selective p38α/β MAPK inhibitor. The mice were injected with 2.5 mg/kg NJK14047 or vehicle every other day for 3 months. Morris water maze task and histological imaging analysis were performed. Protein and mRNA expression levels were measured using immunoblotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. In vitro studies were conducted to measure the cytotoxicity of microglia- and astrocyte-conditioned medium on primary neurons using the MTT assay and TUNEL assay. Results NJK14047 treatment downregulated phospho-p38 MAPK levels, decreased the amount of Aβ deposits, and reduced spatial learning memory loss in 9-month-old 5XFAD mice. While the pro-inflammatory conditions were decreased, the expression of alternatively activated microglial markers and microglial phagocytic receptors was increased. Furthermore, NJK14047 treatment reduced the number of degenerating neurons labeled with Fluoro-Jade B in the brains of 5XFAD mice. The neuroprotective effect of NJK14047 was further confirmed by in vitro studies. Conclusion Taken together, a selective p38α/β MAPK inhibitor NJK14047 successfully showed therapeutic effects for AD in 5XFAD mice. Based on our data, p38 MAPK inhibition is a potential strategy for AD therapy, suggesting NJK14047 as one of the promising candidates for AD therapeutics targeting p38 MAPKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Sung Gee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Son
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ho Jeon
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Do
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Namkwon Kim
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Joo Ju
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jin Lee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Kyoung Chung
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Inn
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Nam-Jung Kim
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong Kil Lee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Moreno-Cugnon L, Arrizabalaga O, Llarena I, Matheu A. Elevated p38MAPK activity promotes neural stem cell aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:6030-6036. [PMID: 32243258 PMCID: PMC7185101 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Age-progressive neural stem cell (NSC) dysfunction leads to impaired neurogenesis, cognitive decline and the onset of age-related neurodegenerative pathologies. p38MAPK signalling pathway limits stem cell activity during aging in several tissues. Its role in NSCs remains controversial. In this work, we show that p38MAPK activity increases in NSCs with age in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and its pharmacological inhibition is sufficient to rejuvenate their activity in vitro. These data reveal a cell-autonomous role for p38MAPK increase in decreasing NSC homeostasis with age. This information shed light in the role of p38MAPK in NSC aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Moreno-Cugnon
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Cellular Oncology, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Olatz Arrizabalaga
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Cellular Oncology, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Irantzu Llarena
- Optical Spectroscopy Platform, CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ander Matheu
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Cellular Oncology, San Sebastian, Spain.,CIBERfes, Madrid, Spain.,IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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24
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Flores-Muñoz C, Gómez B, Mery E, Mujica P, Gajardo I, Córdova C, Lopez-Espíndola D, Durán-Aniotz C, Hetz C, Muñoz P, Gonzalez-Jamett AM, Ardiles ÁO. Acute Pannexin 1 Blockade Mitigates Early Synaptic Plasticity Defects in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:46. [PMID: 32265655 PMCID: PMC7103637 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic loss induced by soluble oligomeric forms of the amyloid β peptide (sAβos) is one of the earliest events in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is thought to be the major cause of the cognitive deficits. These abnormalities rely on defects in synaptic plasticity, a series of events manifested as activity-dependent modifications in synaptic structure and function. It has been reported that pannexin 1 (Panx1), a nonselective channel implicated in cell communication and intracellular signaling, modulates the induction of excitatory synaptic plasticity under physiological contexts and contributes to neuronal death under inflammatory conditions. Here, we decided to study the involvement of Panx1 in functional and structural defects observed in excitatory synapses of the amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) transgenic (Tg) mice, an animal model of AD. We found an age-dependent increase in the Panx1 expression that correlates with increased Aβ levels in hippocampal tissue from Tg mice. Congruently, we also observed an exacerbated Panx1 activity upon basal conditions and in response to glutamate receptor activation. The acute inhibition of Panx1 activity with the drug probenecid (PBN) did not change neurodegenerative parameters such as amyloid deposition or astrogliosis, but it significantly reduced excitatory synaptic defects in the AD model by normalizing long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression and improving dendritic arborization and spine density in hippocampal neurons of the Tg mice. These results suggest a major contribution of Panx1 in the early mechanisms leading to the synaptopathy in AD. Indeed, PBN induced a reduction in the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a kinase widely implicated in the early neurotoxic signaling in AD. Our data strongly suggest that an enhanced expression and activation of Panx1 channels contribute to the Aβ-induced cascades leading to synaptic dysfunction in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Flores-Muñoz
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Bárbara Gómez
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Elena Mery
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Paula Mujica
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ivana Gajardo
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudio Córdova
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Función Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Daniela Lopez-Espíndola
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudia Durán-Aniotz
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile.,Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Muñoz
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Arlek M Gonzalez-Jamett
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Álvaro O Ardiles
- Centro de Neurología Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios en Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile
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25
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Moreno‐Cugnon L, Revuelta M, Arrizabalaga O, Colie S, Moreno‐Valladares M, Jimenez‐Blasco D, Gil‐Bea F, Llarena I, Bolaños JP, Nebreda AR, Matheu A. Neuronal p38α mediates age-associated neural stem cell exhaustion and cognitive decline. Aging Cell 2019; 18:e13044. [PMID: 31560167 PMCID: PMC6826142 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal activity regulates cognition and neural stem cell (NSC) function. The molecular pathways limiting neuronal activity during aging remain largely unknown. In this work, we show that p38MAPK activity increases in neurons with age. By using mice expressing p38α-lox and CamkII-Cre alleles (p38α∆-N), we demonstrate that genetic deletion of p38α in neurons suffices to reduce age-associated elevation of p38MAPK activity, neuronal loss and cognitive decline. Moreover, aged p38α∆-N mice present elevated numbers of NSCs in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone. These results reveal novel roles for neuronal p38MAPK in age-associated NSC exhaustion and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miren Revuelta
- Cellular oncology group Biodonostia Institute San Sebastian Spain
| | | | - Sandra Colie
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Barcelona Spain
| | | | - Daniel Jimenez‐Blasco
- Institute of Functional Biology and Genomics (IBFG) Universidad de Salamanca CSIC Salamanca Spain
| | - Francisco Gil‐Bea
- Neurosciences Area Biodonostia Institute San Sebastián Spain
- CIBERNED Madrid Spain
| | - Irantzu Llarena
- Optical Spectroscopy Platform CIC biomaGUNE San Sebastian Spain
| | - Juan Pedro Bolaños
- Institute of Functional Biology and Genomics (IBFG) Universidad de Salamanca CSIC Salamanca Spain
- CIBERfes Madrid Spain
| | - Angel R. Nebreda
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Barcelona Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) Barcelona Spain
| | - Ander Matheu
- Cellular oncology group Biodonostia Institute San Sebastian Spain
- CIBERfes Madrid Spain
- IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science Bilbao Spain
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26
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Kheiri G, Dolatshahi M, Rahmani F, Rezaei N. Role of p38/MAPKs in Alzheimer's disease: implications for amyloid beta toxicity targeted therapy. Rev Neurosci 2019; 30:9-30. [PMID: 29804103 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2018-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A myriad of environmental and genetic factors, as well as the physiologic process of aging, contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Neuroinflammation is and has been a focus of interest, as a common gateway for initiation of many of the underlying pathologies of AD. Amyloid beta (Aβ) toxicity, increasing RAGE expression, tau hyperphosphorylation, induction of apoptosis, and deregulated autophagy are among other mechanisms, partly entangled and being explained by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and MAPK signaling. p38 MAPK is the most essential regulator of Aβ induced toxicity from this family. p38 induces NF-κB activation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and disruption of synaptic plasticity, which are other implications of all justifying the p38 MAPK as a potential target to break the vicious Aβ toxicity cycle. Until recently, many in vivo and in vitro studies have investigated the effects of p38 MAPK inhibitors in AD. The pyridinyl imidazole compounds SB202190 and SB203580 have shown promising anti-apoptotic results in vivo. MW108 inhibits activation of p38 and is able to postpone cognitive decline in animal models. The PD169316, with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic features, has improved spatial memory in vivo. Natural compounds from Camellia sinensis (green tea), polyphenols from olive oil, pinocembrin from propolis, and the puerarine extract isoflavones, have shown strong anti-apoptotic features, mediated by p38 MAPK inhibition. Use of these drug targets is limited due to central nervous system side effects or cross-reactivity with other kinases, predicting the low efficacy of these drugs in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazaleh Kheiri
- Student's Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1416753955 Tehran, Iran.,NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 19166 Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Dolatshahi
- Student's Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1416753955 Tehran, Iran.,NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 19166 Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Rahmani
- Student's Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1416753955 Tehran, Iran.,NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 19166 Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 19166 Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran 14194, Iran
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27
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Astrocytic p38α MAPK drives NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression and modulates long-term memory. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2968. [PMID: 31273206 PMCID: PMC6609681 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10830-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression (LTD) in the hippocampus is a well-known form of synaptic plasticity that has been linked to different cognitive functions. The core mechanism for this form of plasticity is thought to be entirely neuronal. However, we now demonstrate that astrocytic activity drives LTD at CA3-CA1 synapses. We have found that LTD induction enhances astrocyte-to-neuron communication mediated by glutamate, and that Ca2+ signaling and SNARE-dependent vesicular release from the astrocyte are required for LTD expression. In addition, using optogenetic techniques, we show that low-frequency astrocytic activation, in the absence of presynaptic activity, is sufficient to induce postsynaptic AMPA receptor removal and LTD expression. Using cell-type-specific gene deletion, we show that astrocytic p38α MAPK is required for the increased astrocytic glutamate release and astrocyte-to-neuron communication during low-frequency stimulation. Accordingly, removal of astrocytic (but not neuronal) p38α abolishes LTD expression. Finally, this mechanism modulates long-term memory in vivo. How astrocytes influence neuronal plasticity remains unclear, as they are typically considered as modulators of core mechanisms driven by neuronal components. Here, authors show that Long-term depression (LTD) induction in the hippocampus triggers calcium signaling in the astrocyte and enhances SNARE-dependent astrocytic glutamate release, which is then responsible for the activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors and synaptic depression.
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28
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Petrov AM, Mast N, Li Y, Pikuleva IA. The key genes, phosphoproteins, processes, and pathways affected by efavirenz-activated CYP46A1 in the amyloid-decreasing paradigm of efavirenz treatment. FASEB J 2019; 33:8782-8798. [PMID: 31063705 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900092r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Efavirenz (EFV) is an anti-HIV drug, and cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) is the major brain cholesterol hydroxylase. Previously, we discovered that EFV activates CYP46A1 and improves behavioral performance in 5XFAD mice, an Alzheimer's disease model. Herein, the unbiased omics and other approaches were used to study 5XFAD mice in the amyloid-decreasing paradigm of CYP46A1 activation by EFV. These approaches revealed increases in the brain levels of postsynaptic density protein 95, gephyrin, synaptophysin, synapsin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and CYP46A1 and documented altered expression and phosphorylation of 66 genes and 77 proteins, respectively. The data obtained pointed to EFV effects at the synaptic level, plasmin-depended amyloid clearance, inflammation and microglia phenotype, oxidative stress and cellular hypoxia, autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome systems as well as apoptosis. These effects could be realized in part via changes in the Ca2+-, small GTPase, and catenin signaling. A model is proposed, in which CYP46A1-dependent lipid raft rearrangement and subsequent decrease of protein phosphorylation are central in EFV effects and explain behavioral improvements in EFV-treated 5XFAD mice.-Petrov, A. M., Mast, N., Li, Y., Pikuleva, I. A. The key genes, phosphoproteins, processes, and pathways affected by efavirenz-activated CYP46A1 in the amyloid-decreasing paradigm of efavirenz treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey M Petrov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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29
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Stefanoska K, Bertz J, Volkerling AM, van der Hoven J, Ittner LM, Ittner A. Neuronal MAP kinase p38α inhibits c-Jun N-terminal kinase to modulate anxiety-related behaviour. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14296. [PMID: 30250211 PMCID: PMC6155170 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulation of behavioural responses by neuronal signalling pathways remains incompletely understood. Signalling via mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades regulates multiple neuronal functions. Here, we show that neuronal p38α, a MAP kinase of the p38 kinase family, has a critical and specific role in modulating anxiety-related behaviour in mice. Neuron-specific p38α-knockout mice show increased levels of anxiety in behaviour tests, yet no other behavioural, cognitive or motor deficits. Using CRISPR-mediated deletion of p38α in cells, we show that p38α inhibits c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity, a function that is specific to p38α over other p38 kinases. Consistently, brains of neuron-specific p38α-knockout mice show increased JNK activity. Inhibiting JNK using a specific blood-brain barrier-permeable inhibitor reduces JNK activity in brains of p38α-knockout mice to physiological levels and reverts anxiety behaviour. Thus, our results suggest that neuronal p38α negatively regulates JNK activity that is required for specific modulation of anxiety-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie Stefanoska
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Josefine Bertz
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Alexander M Volkerling
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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30
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Okamoto M, Gray JD, Larson CS, Kazim SF, Soya H, McEwen BS, Pereira AC. Riluzole reduces amyloid beta pathology, improves memory, and restores gene expression changes in a transgenic mouse model of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:153. [PMID: 30108205 PMCID: PMC6092426 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0201-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a major healthcare burden with no effective treatment. The glutamate modulator, riluzole, was shown to reverse many AD-related gene expression changes and improve cognition in aged rats. However, riluzole's effect on amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology, a major histopathological hallmark of AD, remains unclear. 5XFAD transgenic mice, which harbor amyloid β precursor protein (APP) and presenilin mutations and exhibit early Aβ accumulation, were treated with riluzole from 1 to 6 months of age. Riluzole significantly enhanced cognition and reduced Aβ42, Aβ40, Aβ oligomers levels, and Aβ plaque load in 5XFAD mice. RNA-Sequencing showed that riluzole reversed many gene expression changes observed in the hippocampus of 5XFAD mice, predominantly in expression of canonical gene markers for microglia, specifically disease-associated microglia (DAM), as well as neurons and astrocytes. Central to the cognitive improvements observed, riluzole reversed alterations in NMDA receptor subunits gene expression, which are essential for learning and memory. These data demonstrate that riluzole exerts a disease modifying effect in an Aβ mouse model of early-onset familial AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Okamoto
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8574, Japan
| | - Jason D Gray
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Chloe S Larson
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Syed Faraz Kazim
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hideaki Soya
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8574, Japan
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Ana C Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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31
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Scheltens P, Prins N, Lammertsma A, Yaqub M, Gouw A, Wink AM, Chu HM, van Berckel BNM, Alam J. An exploratory clinical study of p38 α kinase inhibition in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2018; 5:464-473. [PMID: 29687023 PMCID: PMC5899915 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to preliminarily evaluate an oral small molecule p38α kinase inhibitor in patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) for the effects on brain amyloid plaque load and episodic memory function, and to establish pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamics correlations if any effects identified on these parameters. Methods Sixteen patients with early AD received a highly selective p38α inhibitor (neflamapimod) for 84 days (12 weeks). To obtain a broad range of plasma drug exposures, subjects randomized to receive either 40 mg (n = 9) or 125 mg (n = 7) twice daily. Dynamic, 11C-PiB positron emission scans were performed at baseline and at Day 84 and quantitatively analyzed by reference parametric mapping. Episodic memory assessed as Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) immediate and delayed recall composites. Result In the 11C-PiB analyses there were no main group level effects, though in the prespecified responder analysis (>7% reduction in 11C-PiB signal) there were three responders in the 40 mg, and one in the 125 mg group. There were statistically significant increases from baseline in mean WMS immediate recall score and WMS delayed recall at both day 28 (P = 0.03 and P = 0.001) and day 84 (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). Individual subject plasma drug concentration profiles were significantly positively correlated with the change in combined WMS immediate and delayed recall (P < 0.0001, r2 = 0.70). Within-subject effect size was 0.59 for immediate recall and 0.67 for delayed recall. Interpretation Selective p38α inhibition in patients with early AD may improve episodic memory and potentially impact β-amyloid production. These preliminary clinical findings support conduct of a longer duration placebo-controlled study, particularly to confirm the effects on episodic memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Scheltens
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Niels Prins
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands.,Brain Research Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Adriaan Lammertsma
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Maqsood Yaqub
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Alida Gouw
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG 4Center VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Alle Meije Wink
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | | | - Bart N M van Berckel
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine VU University Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - John Alam
- EIP Pharma LLC Cambridge Massachusetts
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32
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Failure to Inactivate Nuclear GSK3β by Ser 389-Phosphorylation Leads to Focal Neuronal Death and Prolonged Fear Response. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:393-405. [PMID: 28832021 PMCID: PMC5729567 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
GSK3β plays an essential role in promoting cell death and is emerging as a potential target for neurological diseases. Understanding the mechanisms that control neuronal GSK3β is critical. A ubiquitous mechanism to repress GSK3β involves Akt-mediated phosphorylation of Ser9. Here we show that phosphorylation of GSK3β on Ser389 mediated by p38 MAPK specifically inactivates nuclear GSK3β in the cortex and hippocampus. Using GSK3β Ser389 to Ala mutant mice, we show that failure to inactivate nuclear GSK3β by Ser389 phosphorylation causes neuronal cell death in subregions of the hippocampus and cortex. Although this focal neuronal death does not impact anxiety/depression-like behavior or hippocampal-dependent spatial learning, it leads to an amplified and prolonged fear response. This phenotype is consistent with some aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our studies indicate that inactivation of nuclear GSK3β by Ser389 phosphorylation plays a key role in fear response, revealing new potential therapeutic approaches to target PTSD.
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33
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Tai LM, Balu D, Avila-Munoz E, Abdullah L, Thomas R, Collins N, Valencia-Olvera AC, LaDu MJ. EFAD transgenic mice as a human APOE relevant preclinical model of Alzheimer's disease. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:1733-1755. [PMID: 28389477 PMCID: PMC5580905 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.r076315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Identified in 1993, APOE4 is the greatest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), increasing risk up to 15-fold compared with APOE3, with APOE2 decreasing AD risk. However, the functional effects of APOE4 on AD pathology remain unclear and, in some cases, controversial. In vivo progress to understand how the human (h)-APOE genotypes affect AD pathology has been limited by the lack of a tractable familial AD-transgenic (FAD-Tg) mouse model expressing h-APOE rather than mouse (m)-APOE. The disparity between m- and h-apoE is relevant for virtually every AD-relevant pathway, including amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and clearance, neuroinflammation, tau pathology, neural plasticity and cerebrovascular deficits. EFAD mice were designed as a temporally useful preclinical FAD-Tg-mouse model expressing the h-APOE genotypes for identifying mechanisms underlying APOE-modulated symptoms of AD pathology. From their first description in 2012, EFAD mice have enabled critical basic and therapeutic research. Here we review insights gleaned from the EFAD mice and summarize future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon M Tai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Deebika Balu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Evangelina Avila-Munoz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | | | - Riya Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Nicole Collins
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | | | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612.
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