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Huang YN, Greig NH, Huang PS, Chiang YH, Hoffer A, Yang CH, Tweedie D, Chen Y, Ou JC, Wang JY. Pomalidomide Improves Motor Behavioral Deficits and Protects Cerebral Cortex and Striatum Against Neurodegeneration Through a Reduction of Oxidative/Nitrosative Damages and Neuroinflammation After Traumatic Brain Injury. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241237049. [PMID: 38483119 PMCID: PMC10943757 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241237049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal damage resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes disruption of neuronal projections and neurotransmission that contribute to behavioral deficits. Cellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is an early event following TBI. ROS often damage DNA, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates while RNS attack proteins. The products of lipid peroxidation 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and protein nitration 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) are often used as indicators of oxidative and nitrosative damages, respectively. Increasing evidence has shown that striatum is vulnerable to damage from TBI with a disturbed dopamine neurotransmission. TBI results in neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and autophagy in the striatum and contribute to motor or behavioral deficits. Pomalidomide (Pom) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved immunomodulatory drug clinically used in treating multiple myeloma. We previously showed that Pom reduces neuroinflammation and neuronal death induced by TBI in rat cerebral cortex. Here, we further compared the effects of Pom in cortex and striatum focusing on neurodegeneration, oxidative and nitrosative damages, as well as neuroinflammation following TBI. Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to a controlled cortical impact were used as the animal model of TBI. Systemic administration of Pom (0.5 mg/kg, intravenous [i.v.]) at 5 h post-injury alleviated motor behavioral deficits, contusion volume at 24 h after TBI. Pom alleviated TBI-induced neurodegeneration stained by Fluoro-Jade C in both cortex and striatum. Notably, Pom treatment reduces oxidative and nitrosative damages in cortex and striatum and is more efficacious in striatum (93% reduction in 4-HNE-positive and 84% reduction in 3-NT-positive neurons) than in cerebral cortex (42% reduction in 4-HNE-positive and 55% reduction in 3-NT-positive neurons). In addition, Pom attenuated microgliosis, astrogliosis, and elevations of proinflammatory cytokines in cortical and striatal tissue. We conclude that Pom may contribute to improved motor behavioral outcomes after TBI through targeting oxidative/nitrosative damages and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ni Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
- Department of Nursing, Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan City
| | - Nigel H. Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pen-Sen Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Yung-Hsiao Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Alan Hoffer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals of Cleveland, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Chih-Hao Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - David Tweedie
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Ju-Chi Ou
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Jia-Yi Wang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
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2
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Cristina Cardia M, Francesca Palmas M, Casula L, Pisanu A, Marceddu S, Valenti D, Sinico C, Pini E, Scerba MT, Tweedie D, Greig NH, Rosa Carta A, Lai F. Nanocrystals as an effective strategy to improve Pomalidomide bioavailability in rodent. Int J Pharm 2022; 625:122079. [PMID: 35932932 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Pomalidomide (POM) is an FDA-approved immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiDs) an it is effectively used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. IMiDs are analogs of the drug thalidomide and they have been repurposed for the treatment of several diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and Kaposi Sarcoma. In recent years, IMiDs have been also evaluated as a new treatment for neurological disorders with an inflammatory and neuroinflammatory component. POM draws particular interest for its potent anti-TNF-α activity at significantly lower concentrations than the parent compound thalidomide. However, POM's low water solubility underpins its low gastrointestinal permeability resulting in irregular and poor absorption. The purpose of this work was to prepare a POM nanocrystal-based formulation that could efficiently improve POM's plasma and brain concentration after intraperitoneal injection. POM nanocrystals prepared as a nanosuspension by the media milling method showed a mean diameter of 219 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.21. POM's nanocrystal solubility value (22.97 µg/mL) in phosphate buffer was about 1.58 folds higher than the POM raw powder. Finally, in vivo studies conducted in adult Male Sprague-Dawley rats indicated that POM nanocrystal ensured higher and longer-lasting drug levels in plasma and brain when compared with POM coarse suspension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Cardia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Unit of Drug Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Luca Casula
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Unit of Drug Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Augusta Pisanu
- National Research Council, Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Marceddu
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Baldinca (Sassari), Italy
| | - Donatella Valenti
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Unit of Drug Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Chiara Sinico
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Unit of Drug Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elena Pini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Michael T Scerba
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David Tweedie
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Anna Rosa Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Lai
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Unit of Drug Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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3
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Palmas MF, Ena A, Burgaletto C, Casu MA, Cantarella G, Carboni E, Etzi M, De Simone A, Fusco G, Cardia MC, Lai F, Picci L, Tweedie D, Scerba MT, Coroneo V, Bernardini R, Greig NH, Pisanu A, Carta AR. Repurposing Pomalidomide as a Neuroprotective Drug: Efficacy in an Alpha-Synuclein-Based Model of Parkinson's Disease. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:305-324. [PMID: 35072912 PMCID: PMC9130415 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Marketed drugs for Parkinson's disease (PD) treat disease motor symptoms but are ineffective in stopping or slowing disease progression. In the quest of novel pharmacological approaches that may target disease progression, drug-repurposing provides a strategy to accelerate the preclinical and clinical testing of drugs already approved for other medical indications. Here, we targeted the inflammatory component of PD pathology, by testing for the first time the disease-modifying properties of the immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD) pomalidomide in a translational rat model of PD neuropathology based on the intranigral bilateral infusion of toxic preformed oligomers of human α-synuclein (H-αSynOs). The neuroprotective effect of pomalidomide (20 mg/kg; i.p. three times/week 48 h apart) was tested in the first stage of disease progression by means of a chronic two-month administration, starting 1 month after H-αSynOs infusion, when an already ongoing neuroinflammation is observed. The intracerebral infusion of H-αSynOs induced an impairment in motor and coordination performance that was fully rescued by pomalidomide, as assessed via a battery of motor tests three months after infusion. Moreover, H-αSynOs-infused rats displayed a 40-45% cell loss within the bilateral substantia nigra, as measured by stereological counting of TH + and Nissl-stained neurons, that was largely abolished by pomalidomide. The inflammatory response to H-αSynOs infusion and the pomalidomide treatment was evaluated both in CNS affected areas and peripherally in the serum. A reactive microgliosis, measured as the volume occupied by the microglial marker Iba-1, was present in the substantia nigra three months after H-αSynOs infusion as well as after H-αSynOs plus pomalidomide treatment. However, microglia differed for their phenotype among experimental groups. After H-αSynOs infusion, microglia displayed a proinflammatory profile, producing a large amount of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. In contrast, pomalidomide inhibited the TNF-α overproduction and elevated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, the H-αSynOs infusion induced a systemic inflammation with overproduction of serum proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, that was largely mitigated by pomalidomide. Results provide evidence of the disease modifying potential of pomalidomide in a neuropathological rodent model of PD and support the repurposing of this drug for clinical testing in PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Ena
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Chiara Burgaletto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ezio Carboni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michela Etzi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alfonso De Simone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Fusco
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Cristina Cardia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Lai
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Picci
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - David Tweedie
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute On Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael T Scerba
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute On Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Valentina Coroneo
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute On Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Augusta Pisanu
- National Research Council, Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Anna R Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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4
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Casu MA, Mocci I, Isola R, Pisanu A, Boi L, Mulas G, Greig NH, Setzu MD, Carta AR. Neuroprotection by the Immunomodulatory Drug Pomalidomide in the Drosophila LRRK2 WD40 Genetic Model of Parkinson's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:31. [PMID: 32116655 PMCID: PMC7031158 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for new disease-modifying drugs for Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slow and highly expensive process, and the repurposing of drugs already approved for different medical indications is becoming a compelling alternative option for researchers. Genetic variables represent a predisposing factor to the disease and mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) locus have been correlated to late-onset autosomal-dominant PD. The common fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster carrying the mutation LRRK2 loss-of-function in the WD40 domain (LRRK2WD40), is a simple in vivo model of PD and is a valid tool to first evaluate novel therapeutic approaches to the disease. Recent studies have suggested a neuroprotective activity of immunomodulatory agents in PD models. Here the immunomodulatory drug Pomalidomide (POM), a Thalidomide derivative, was examined in the Drosophila LRRK2WD40 genetic model of PD. Mutant and wild type flies received increasing POM doses (1, 0.5, 0.25 mM) through their diet from day 1 post eclosion, until postnatal day (PN) 7 or 14, when POM's actions were evaluated by quantifying changes in climbing behavior as a measure of motor performance, the number of brain dopaminergic neurons and T-bars, mitochondria integrity. LRRK2WD40 flies displayed a spontaneous age-related impairment of climbing activity, and POM significantly and dose-dependently improved climbing performance both at PN 7 and PN 14. LRRK2WD40 fly motor disability was underpinned by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in posterior clusters of the protocerebrum, which are involved in the control of locomotion, by a low number of T-bars density in the presynaptic bouton active zones. POM treatment fully rescued the cell loss in all posterior clusters at PN 7 and PN 14 and significantly increased the T-bars density. Moreover, several damaged mitochondria with dilated cristae were observed in LRRK2WD40 flies treated with vehicle but not following POM. This study demonstrates the neuroprotective activity of the immunomodulatory agent POM in a genetic model of PD. POM is an FDA-approved clinically available and well-tolerated drug used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. If further validated in mammalian models of PD, POM could rapidly be clinically tested in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ignazia Mocci
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Raffaella Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Laura Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Mulas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nigel H Greig
- National Institute of Aging (NIA), Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Anna R Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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5
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Tsai YR, Tweedie D, Navas-Enamorado I, Scerba MT, Chang CF, Lai JH, Wu JCC, Chen YH, Kang SJ, Hoffer BJ, de Cabo R, Greig NH, Chiang YH, Chen KY. Pomalidomide Reduces Ischemic Brain Injury in Rodents. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:439-450. [PMID: 31094216 PMCID: PMC6628558 DOI: 10.1177/0963689719850078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of death and severe disability worldwide. After cerebral
ischemia, inflammation plays a central role in the development of permanent neurological
damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the mechanism of post-ischemic
inflammation. The activation of several inflammatory enzymes produces ROS, which
subsequently suppress mitochondrial activity, leading to further tissue damage.
Pomalidomide (POM) is a clinically available immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent.
Prior cellular studies demonstrate that POM can mitigate oxidative stress and lower levels
of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF-α, which plays a prominent role in
ischemic stroke-induced brain damage and functional deficits. To evaluate the potential
value of POM in cerebral ischemia, POM was initially administered to transgenic mice
chronically over-expressing TNF-α surfactant protein (SP)-C promoter (SP-C/TNF-α mice) to
assess whether systemically administered drug could lower systemic TNF-α level. POM
significantly lowered serum levels of TNF-α and IL-5. Pharmacokinetic studies were then
undertaken in mice to evaluate brain POM levels following systemic drug administration.
POM possessed a brain/plasma concentration ratio of 0.71. Finally, rats were subjected to
transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) for 60 min, and subsequently treated
with POM 30 min thereafter to evaluate action on cerebral ischemia. POM reduced the
cerebral infarct volume in MCAo-challenged rats and improved motor activity, as evaluated
by the elevated body swing test. POM’s neuroprotective actions on ischemic injury
represent a potential therapeutic approach for ischemic brain damage and related
disorders, and warrant further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Rou Tsai
- 1 The PhD Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - David Tweedie
- 3 Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ignacio Navas-Enamorado
- 3 Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael T Scerba
- 3 Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cheng-Fu Chang
- 2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,4 Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei City Hospital, Zhongxiao Branch, Taipei.,5 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Jing-Huei Lai
- 2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,5 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - John Chung-Che Wu
- 2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,5 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,6 Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei
| | - Yen-Hua Chen
- 2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Shuo-Jhen Kang
- 2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,5 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Barry J Hoffer
- 2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,7 Department of Neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rafael de Cabo
- 3 Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nigel H Greig
- 3 Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yung-Hsiao Chiang
- 1 The PhD Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,5 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,6 Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- 1 The PhD Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei.,2 Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
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6
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Tsai YR, Chang CF, Lai JH, Wu JCC, Chen YH, Kang SJ, Hoffer BJ, Tweedie D, Luo W, Greig NH, Chiang YH, Chen KY. Pomalidomide Ameliorates H₂O₂-Induced Oxidative Stress Injury and Cell Death in Rat Primary Cortical Neuronal Cultures by Inducing Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Apoptosis Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103252. [PMID: 30347766 PMCID: PMC6213994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its high oxygen demand and abundance of peroxidation-susceptible lipid cells, the brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Induced by a redox state imbalance involving either excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or dysfunction of the antioxidant system, oxidative stress plays a central role in a common pathophysiology that underpins neuronal cell death in acute neurological disorders epitomized by stroke and chronic ones such as Alzheimer’s disease. After cerebral ischemia, for example, inflammation bears a key responsibility in the development of permanent neurological damage. ROS are involved in the mechanism of post-ischemic inflammation. The activation of several inflammatory enzymes produces ROS, which subsequently suppress mitochondrial activity, leading to further tissue damage. Pomalidomide (POM) is a clinically available immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent. Using H2O2-treated rat primary cortical neuronal cultures, we found POM displayed neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and cell death that associated with changes in the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2/superoxide dismutase 2/catalase signaling pathway. POM also suppressed nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer (NF-κB) levels and significantly mitigated cortical neuronal apoptosis by regulating Bax, Cytochrome c and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. In summary, POM exerted neuroprotective effects via its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions against H2O2-induced injury. POM consequently represents a potential therapeutic agent against brain damage and related disorders and warrants further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Rou Tsai
- Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Fu Chang
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei City Hospital, Zhongxiao Branch, Taipei 11556, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Jing-Huei Lai
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - John Chung-Che Wu
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Yen-Hua Chen
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Shuo-Jhen Kang
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Barry J Hoffer
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - David Tweedie
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Weiming Luo
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Yung-Hsiao Chiang
- Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
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7
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Baratz R, Tweedie D, Wang JY, Rubovitch V, Luo W, Hoffer BJ, Greig NH, Pick CG. Transiently lowering tumor necrosis factor-α synthesis ameliorates neuronal cell loss and cognitive impairments induced by minimal traumatic brain injury in mice. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:45. [PMID: 25879458 PMCID: PMC4352276 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0237-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents an unmet medical need, as no effective pharmacological treatment currently exists. The development of such a treatment requires a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin the sequelae resulting from TBI, particularly the ensuing neuronal cell death and cognitive impairments. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that is a master regulator of systemic and neuroinflammatory processes. TNF-α levels are reported to become rapidly elevated post TBI and, potentially, can lead to secondary neuronal damage. Methods To elucidate the role of TNF-α in TBI, particularly as a drug target, the present study evaluated (i) time-dependent TNF-α levels and (ii) markers of apoptosis and gliosis within the brain and related these to behavioral measures of ‘well being’ and cognition in a mouse closed head 50 g weight drop mild TBI (mTBI) model in the presence and absence of post-treatment with an experimental TNF-α synthesis inhibitor, 3,6′-dithiothalidomide. Results mTBI elevated brain TNF-α levels, which peaked at 12 h post injury and returned to baseline by 18 h. This was accompanied by a neuronal loss and an increase in astrocyte number (evaluated by neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining), as well as an elevation in the apoptotic death marker BH3-interacting domain death agonist (BID) at 72 h. Selective impairments in measures of cognition, evaluated by novel object recognition and passive avoidance paradigms - without changes in well being, were evident at 7 days after injury. A single systemic treatment with the TNF-α synthesis inhibitor 3,6′-dithiothalidomide 1 h post injury prevented the mTBI-induced TNF-α elevation and fully ameliorated the neuronal loss (NeuN), elevations in astrocyte number (GFAP) and BID, and cognitive impairments. Cognitive impairments evident at 7 days after injury were prevented by treatment as late as 12 h post mTBI but were not reversed when treatment was delayed until 18 h. Conclusions These results implicate that TNF-α in mTBI induced secondary brain damage and indicate that pharmacologically limiting the generation of TNF-α post mTBI may mitigate such damage, defining a time-dependent window of up to 12 h to achieve this reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Baratz
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| | - David Tweedie
- Drug Design and Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, BRC Room 05C220, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Jia-Yi Wang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Vardit Rubovitch
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| | - Weiming Luo
- Drug Design and Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, BRC Room 05C220, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Barry J Hoffer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design and Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, BRC Room 05C220, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Chaim G Pick
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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