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Brownjohn PW, Zoufir A, O’Donovan DJ, Sudhahar S, Syme A, Huckvale R, Porter JR, Bange H, Brennan J, Thompson NT. Computational drug discovery approaches identify mebendazole as a candidate treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1397864. [PMID: 38846086 PMCID: PMC11154008 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1397864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by numerous renal cysts, the progressive expansion of which can impact kidney function and lead eventually to renal failure. Tolvaptan is the only disease-modifying drug approved for the treatment of ADPKD, however its poor side effect and safety profile necessitates the need for the development of new therapeutics in this area. Using a combination of transcriptomic and machine learning computational drug discovery tools, we predicted that a number of existing drugs could have utility in the treatment of ADPKD, and subsequently validated several of these drug predictions in established models of disease. We determined that the anthelmintic mebendazole was a potent anti-cystic agent in human cellular and in vivo models of ADPKD, and is likely acting through the inhibition of microtubule polymerisation and protein kinase activity. These findings demonstrate the utility of combining computational approaches to identify and understand potential new treatments for traditionally underserved rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hester Bange
- Crown Bioscience Netherlands B.V., Biopartner Center Leiden JH, Leiden, Netherlands
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Di Mise A, Caplan MJ, Valenti G. Editorial: Molecular mechanisms underlying polycystic kidney disease: from the smallest bricks to the big scenario. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1429206. [PMID: 38836108 PMCID: PMC11149700 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1429206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Annarita Di Mise
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Michael J Caplan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Giovanna Valenti
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Kalot R, Sentell Z, Kitzler TM, Torban E. Primary cilia and actin regulatory pathways in renal ciliopathies. FRONTIERS IN NEPHROLOGY 2024; 3:1331847. [PMID: 38292052 PMCID: PMC10824913 DOI: 10.3389/fneph.2023.1331847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Ciliopathies are a group of rare genetic disorders caused by defects to the structure or function of the primary cilium. They often affect multiple organs, leading to brain malformations, congenital heart defects, and anomalies of the retina or skeletal system. Kidney abnormalities are among the most frequent ciliopathic phenotypes manifesting as smaller, dysplastic, and cystic kidneys that are often accompanied by renal fibrosis. Many renal ciliopathies cause chronic kidney disease and often progress to end-stage renal disease, necessitating replacing therapies. There are more than 35 known ciliopathies; each is a rare hereditary condition, yet collectively they account for a significant proportion of chronic kidney disease worldwide. The primary cilium is a tiny microtubule-based organelle at the apex of almost all vertebrate cells. It serves as a "cellular antenna" surveying environment outside the cell and transducing this information inside the cell to trigger multiple signaling responses crucial for tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. Hundreds of proteins and unique cellular mechanisms are involved in cilia formation. Recent evidence suggests that actin remodeling and regulation at the base of the primary cilium strongly impacts ciliogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of the structure and function of the primary cilium, focusing on the role of actin cytoskeleton and its regulators in ciliogenesis. We then describe the key clinical, genetic, and molecular aspects of renal ciliopathies. We highlight what is known about actin regulation in the pathogenesis of these diseases with the aim to consider these recent molecular findings as potential therapeutic targets for renal ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Kalot
- Department of Medicine and Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zachary Sentell
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Kitzler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elena Torban
- Department of Medicine and Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Pala R, Barui AK, Mohieldin AM, Zhou J, Nauli SM. Folate conjugated nanomedicines for selective inhibition of mTOR signaling in polycystic kidneys at clinically relevant doses. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122329. [PMID: 37722182 PMCID: PMC10836200 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Although rapamycin is a very effective drug for rodents with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), it is not encouraging in the clinical trials due to the suboptimal dosages compelled by the off-target side effects. We here report the generation, characterization, specificity, functionality, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicology profiles of novel polycystic kidney-specific-targeting nanoparticles (NPs). We formulated folate-conjugated PLGA-PEG NPs, which can be loaded with multiple drugs, including rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) and antioxidant 4-hydroxy-TEMPO (a nephroprotective agent). The NPs increased the efficacy, potency and tolerability of rapamycin resulting in an increased survival rate and improved kidney function by decreasing side effects and reducing biodistribution to other organs in PKD mice. The daily administration of rapamycin-alone (1 mg/kg/day) could now be achieved with a weekly injection of NPs containing rapamycin (379 μg/kg/week). This polycystic kidney-targeting nanotechnology, for the first time, integrated advances in the use of 1) nanoparticles as a delivery cargo, 2) folate for targeting, 3) near-infrared Cy5-fluorophore for in vitro and in vivo live imaging, 4) rapamycin as a pharmacological therapy, and 5) TEMPO as a combinational therapy. The slow sustained-release of rapamycin by polycystic kidney-targeting NPs demonstrates a new era of nanomedicine in treatment for chronic kidney diseases at clinically relevant doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajasekharreddy Pala
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA; Marlin Biopharma, Irvine, CA, 92620, USA.
| | - Ayan K Barui
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Ashraf M Mohieldin
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Surya M Nauli
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA; Marlin Biopharma, Irvine, CA, 92620, USA.
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Nigro E, Amicone M, D'Arco D, Sellitti G, De Marco O, Guarino M, Riccio E, Pisani A, Daniele A. Molecular Diagnosis and Identification of Novel Pathogenic Variants in a Large Cohort of Italian Patients Affected by Polycystic Kidney Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1236. [PMID: 37372416 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic Kidney Diseases (PKDs) consist of a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by numerous renal cysts. PKDs include autosomal dominant ADPKD, autosomal recessive ARPKD and atypical forms. Here, we analyzed 255 Italian patients using an NGS panel of 63 genes, plus Sanger sequencing of exon 1 of the PKD1 gene and MPLA (PKD1, PKD2 and PKHD1) analysis. Overall, 167 patients bore pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in dominant genes, and 5 patients in recessive genes. Four patients were carriers of one pathogenic/likely pathogenic recessive variant. A total of 24 patients had a VUS variant in dominant genes, 8 patients in recessive genes and 15 patients were carriers of one VUS variant in recessive genes. Finally, in 32 patients we could not reveal any variant. Regarding the global diagnostic status, 69% of total patients bore pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants, 18.4% VUS variants and in 12.6% of patients we could not find any. PKD1 and PKD2 resulted to be the most mutated genes; additional genes were UMOD and GANAB. Among recessive genes, PKHD1 was the most mutated gene. An analysis of eGFR values showed that patients with truncating variants had a more severe phenotype. In conclusion, our study confirmed the high degree of genetic complexity at the basis of PKDs and highlighted the crucial role of molecular characterization in patients with suspicious clinical diagnosis. An accurate and early molecular diagnosis is essential to adopt the appropriate therapeutic protocol and represents a predictive factor for family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ersilia Nigro
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Amicone
- Unità di Nefrologia, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela D'Arco
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gina Sellitti
- Unità di Nefrologia, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Oriana De Marco
- Unità di Nefrologia, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Guarino
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Eleonora Riccio
- Unità di Nefrologia, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Unità di Nefrologia, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Aurora Daniele
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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