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Kropf E, Shekari A, Jaberi S, Puri A, Wu C, Fahnestock M. Age-induced nitrative stress decreases retrograde transport of proNGF via TrkA and increases proNGF retrograde transport and neurodegeneration via p75 NTR. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1241420. [PMID: 38025269 PMCID: PMC10679388 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1241420] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Axonal transport of pro nerve growth factor (proNGF) is impaired in aged basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), which is associated with their degeneration. ProNGF is neurotrophic in the presence of its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) but induces apoptosis via the pan-neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) when TrkA is absent. It is well established that TrkA is lost while p75NTR is maintained in aged BFCNs, but whether aging differentially affects transport of proNGF via each receptor is unknown. Nitrative stress increases during aging, but whether age-induced nitrative stress differentially affects proNGF transport via TrkA versus p75NTR has not yet been studied. Answering these questions is essential for developing an accurate understanding of the mechanisms contributing to age-induced loss of proNGF transport and BFCN degeneration. Methods In this study, fluorescence microscopy was used to analyze axonal transport of quantum dot labeled proNGF in rat BFCNs in vitro. Receptor specific effects were studied with proNGF mutants that selectively bind to either TrkA (proNGF-KKE) or p75NTR (proNGF-Δ9-13). Signaling factor activity was quantified via immunostaining. Results Young BFCNs transported proNGF-KKE but not proNGF-Δ9-13, and proNGF transport was not different in p75NTR knockout BFCNs compared to wildtype BFCNs. These results indicate that young BFCNs transport proNGF via TrkA. In vitro aging increased transport of proNGF-Δ9-13 but decreased transport of proNGF-KKE. Treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME reduced retrograde transport of proNGF-Δ9-13 in aged BFCNs while increasing retrograde transport of proNGF-KKE but did not affect TrkA or p75NTR levels. ProNGF-Δ9-13 induced greater pro-apoptotic signaling and neurodegeneration and less pro-survival signaling relative to proNGF-KKE. Discussion Together, these results indicate that age-induced nitrative stress decreases proNGF transport via TrkA while increasing proNGF transport via p75NTR. These transport deficits are associated with decreased survival signaling, increased apoptotic signaling, and neurodegeneration. Our findings elucidate the receptor specificity of age-and nitrative stress-induced proNGF transport deficits. These results may help to rescue the neurotrophic signaling of proNGF in aging to reduce age-induced loss of BFCN function and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Kropf
- Neuroscience Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Arman Shekari
- Neuroscience Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sama Jaberi
- Neuroscience Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anish Puri
- Neuroscience Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Chengbiao Wu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Margaret Fahnestock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Brahimi F, Galan A, Siegel S, Szobota S, Sarunic MV, Foster AC, Saragovi HU. Therapeutic Neuroprotection by an Engineered Neurotrophin that Selectively Activates Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase (Trk) Family Neurotrophin Receptors but Not the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 100:491-501. [PMID: 34470776 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophin growth factors bind and activate two types of cell surface receptors: the tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) family and p75. TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC are bound preferentially by nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 (NT3), respectively, to activate neuroprotective signals. The p75 receptors are activated by all neurotrophins, and paradoxically in neurodegenerative disease p75 is upregulated and mediates neurotoxic signals. To test neuroprotection strategies, we engineered NT3 to broadly activate Trk receptors (mutant D) or to reduce p75 binding (mutant RK). We also combined these features in a molecule that activates TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC but has reduced p75 binding (mutant DRK). In neurodegenerative disease mouse models in vivo, the DRK protein is a superior therapeutic agent compared with mutant D, mutant RK, and wild-type neurotrophins and protects a broader range of stressed neurons. This work rationalizes a therapeutic strategy based on the biology of each type of receptor, avoiding activation of p75 toxicity while broadly activating neuroprotection in stressed neuronal populations expressing different Trk receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The neurotrophins nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 each can activate a tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) A, TrkB, or TrkC receptor, respectively, and all can activate a p75 receptor. Trks and p75 mediate opposite signals. We report the engineering of a protein that activates all Trks, combined with low p75 binding, as an effective therapeutic agent in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fouad Brahimi
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
| | - Alba Galan
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
| | - Sairey Siegel
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
| | - Stephanie Szobota
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
| | - Marinko V Sarunic
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
| | - Alan C Foster
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
| | - H Uri Saragovi
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital (F.B., A.G., H.U.S.), Pharmacology and Therapeutics (H.U.S.), and Ophthalmology and Vision Science (H.U.S.), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California (S.Si., S.Sz., A.C.F.); and School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada (M.V.S.)
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Gudasheva TA, Povarnina PY, Tarasiuk AV, Seredenin SB. Low-molecular mimetics of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Design and pharmacological properties. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:2746-2774. [PMID: 32808322 DOI: 10.1002/med.21721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To overcome the limitations of the clinical use of neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), scientists have been trying to create their low-molecular-weight mimetics having improved pharmacokinetic properties and lacking side effects of full-sized proteins since the 90s of the last century. The efforts of various research groups have led to the production of peptide and nonpeptide mimetics, being agonists or modulators of the corresponding Trk or p75 receptors that reproduced the therapeutic effects of full-sized proteins. This review discusses different strategies and approaches to the design of such compounds. The relationship between the structure of the mimetics obtained and their action mechanisms and pharmacological properties are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the dipeptide mimetics of individual NGF and BDNF loops having different patterns of activation of Trk receptors signal transduction pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, which allowed to evaluate the contribution of each pathway to different pharmacological effects. In conclusion, data on therapeutically promising compounds being at different stages of preclinical and clinical studies are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana A Gudasheva
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, V. V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Polina Y Povarnina
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, V. V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Aleksey V Tarasiuk
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, V. V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey B Seredenin
- Department of Pharmacogenetics, V. V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Sung K, Ferrari LF, Yang W, Chung C, Zhao X, Gu Y, Lin S, Zhang K, Cui B, Pearn ML, Maloney MT, Mobley WC, Levine JD, Wu C. Swedish Nerve Growth Factor Mutation (NGF R100W) Defines a Role for TrkA and p75 NTR in Nociception. J Neurosci 2018; 38:3394-3413. [PMID: 29483280 PMCID: PMC5895035 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1686-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) exerts multiple functions on target neurons throughout development. The recent discovery of a point mutation leading to a change from arginine to tryptophan at residue 100 in the mature NGFβ sequence (NGFR100W) in patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V (HSAN V) made it possible to distinguish the signaling mechanisms that lead to two functionally different outcomes of NGF: trophic versus nociceptive. We performed extensive biochemical, cellular, and live-imaging experiments to examine the binding and signaling properties of NGFR100W Our results show that, similar to the wild-type NGF (wtNGF), the naturally occurring NGFR100W mutant was capable of binding to and activating the TrkA receptor and its downstream signaling pathways to support neuronal survival and differentiation. However, NGFR100W failed to bind and stimulate the 75 kDa neurotrophic factor receptor (p75NTR)-mediated signaling cascades (i.e., the RhoA-Cofilin pathway). Intraplantar injection of NGFR100W into adult rats induced neither TrkA-mediated thermal nor mechanical acute hyperalgesia, but retained the ability to induce chronic hyperalgesia based on agonism for TrkA signaling. Together, our studies provide evidence that NGFR100W retains trophic support capability through TrkA and one aspect of its nociceptive signaling, but fails to engage p75NTR signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that wtNGF acts via TrkA to regulate the delayed priming of nociceptive responses. The integration of both TrkA and p75NTR signaling thus appears to regulate neuroplastic effects of NGF in peripheral nociception.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In the present study, we characterized the naturally occurring nerve growth factor NGFR100W mutant that is associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V. We have demonstrated for the first time that NGFR100W retains trophic support capability through TrkA, but fails to engage p75NTR signaling pathways. Furthermore, after intraplantar injection into adult rats, NGFR100W induced neither thermal nor mechanical acute hyperalgesia, but retained the ability to induce chronic hyperalgesia. We have also provided evidence that the integration of both TrkA- and p75NTR-mediated signaling appears to regulate neuroplastic effects of NGF in peripheral nociception. Our study with NGFR100W suggests that it is possible to uncouple trophic effect from nociceptive function, both induced by wild-type NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz F Ferrari
- Department of Oral Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Wanlin Yang
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 200025
| | - ChiHye Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701, South Korea
| | | | - Yingli Gu
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Neurology, the Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China 150001
| | - Suzhen Lin
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 200025
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Program, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, and
| | | | - Matthew L Pearn
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093
- V.A. San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161
| | - Michael T Maloney
- Department of Neurosciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | | | - Jon D Levine
- Department of Oral Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Chengbiao Wu
- Department of Neurosciences,
- V.A. San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161
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Carleton LA, Chakravarthy R, van der Sloot AM, Mnich K, Serrano L, Samali A, Gorman AM. Generation of rationally-designed nerve growth factor (NGF) variants with receptor specificity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 495:700-705. [PMID: 29108999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the prototypic member of the neurotrophin family and binds two receptors, TrkA and the 75 kDa neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), through which diverse and sometimes opposing effects are mediated. Using the FoldX protein design algorithm, we generated eight NGF variants with different point mutations predicted to have altered binding to TrkA or p75NTR. Of these, the I31R NGF variant exhibited specific binding to p75NTR. The generation of this NGF variant with selective affinity for p75NTR can be used to enhance understanding of neurotrophin receptor imbalance in diseases and identifies a key targetable residue for the development of small molecules to disrupt binding of NGF to TrkA with potential uses in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Almer M van der Sloot
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Luis Serrano
- EMBL/CRG Systems Biology Research Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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Gudasheva TA, Povarnina PY, Antipova TA, Firsova YN, Konstantinopolsky MA, Seredenin SB. Dimeric dipeptide mimetics of the nerve growth factor Loop 4 and Loop 1 activate TRKA with different patterns of intracellular signal transduction. J Biomed Sci 2015; 22:106. [PMID: 26642930 PMCID: PMC4672491 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0198-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed at developing nerve growth factor (NGF) mimetics that selectively activate specific biological signals and, as a result, lack the side effects of the full-length protein. Two dimeric dipeptides, bis-(N-aminocaproyl-glycyl-L-lysine) hexamethylenediamide (GK-6) and bis(N-succinyl-L-glutamyl-L-lysine) hexamethylenediamide (GK-2), were designed based on the most exposed outside fragments of NGF, namely, the loop 1 and loop 4 β-turn sequences, respectively. These dipeptides exhibited neuroprotective activity in vitro at micro-nanomolar concentrations. Results Studies on the mechanism of action revealed that both compounds elevate the level of tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor phosphorylation and that they each have different postreceptor signaling patterns. GK-6 increases the levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT kinase phosphorylation, whereas GK-2 only increases the level of AKT phosphorylation. Apart from the neuroprotective activity, GK-6 promoted differentiation in PC12 cells, whereas GK-2 did not. Furthermore, it was established that the neuroprotective activity of GK-2 was completely abolished by a selective inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (LY294002) but not by a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinases MEK1 and MEK2 (PD98059). In vivo experiments demonstrated that GK-2 did not induce hyperalgesia, which is one of the primary adverse effects of NGF. By contrast, GK-6 produced a significant decrease in the pain threshold of rats as determined by the tail flick test. Conclusion The data obtained suggest that dimeric dipeptide NGF mimetics are promising candidates in the development of pharmacological agents with NGF-like activity that are free of the main side effect of NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana A Gudasheva
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, V.V. Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Baltiyskaya str. 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Polina Yu Povarnina
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, V.V. Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Baltiyskaya str. 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Tatyana A Antipova
- Laboratory of Neuroprotective Pharmacology, V.V. Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Baltiyskaya str. 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Yulia N Firsova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, V.V. Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Baltiyskaya str. 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Mark A Konstantinopolsky
- Laboratory of Pharmacological Regulation of Alcohol and Drug Addiction, V.V. Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Baltiyskaya str. 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Sergey B Seredenin
- Department of Pharmacogenetics, V.V. Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Baltiyskaya str. 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
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7
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Molecular Mechanism of Switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) Signaling in Monocrotophos Induced Neurotoxicity. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14038. [PMID: 26370177 PMCID: PMC4570211 DOI: 10.1038/srep14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate the role of molecular switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) signaling cascade in organophosphate pesticide-Monocrotophos (MCP) induced neurotoxicity in stem cell derived cholinergic neurons and in rat brain. Our in-silico studies reveal that MCP followed the similar pattern of binding as staurosporine and AG-879 (known inhibitors of TrkA) with TrkA protein (PDB ID: 4AOJ) at the ATP binding sites. This binding of MCP to TrkA led to the conformational change in this protein and triggers the cell death cascades. The in-silico findings are validated by observing the down regulated levels of phosphorylated TrkA and its downstream molecules viz., pERK1/2, pAkt and pCREB in MCP-exposed cells. We observe that these MCP induced alterations in pTrkA and downstream signaling molecules are found to be associated with apoptosis and injury to neurons. The down-regulation of TrkA could be linked to increased p75(NTR). The in-vitro studies could be correlated in the rat model. The switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) signaling plays a central role in MCP-induced neural injury in rBNSCs and behavioral changes in exposed rats. Our studies significantly advance the understanding of the switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) that may pave the way for the application of TrkA inducer/p75(NTR) inhibitor for potential therapeutic intervention in various neurodegenerative disorders.
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Eibl JK, Strasser BC, Ross GM. Structural, biological, and pharmacological strategies for the inhibition of nerve growth factor. Neurochem Int 2012; 61:1266-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Mehta HM, Woo SB, Neet KE. Comparison of nerve growth factor receptor binding models using heterodimeric muteins. J Neurosci Res 2012; 90:2259-71. [PMID: 22903500 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a homodimer that binds to two distinct receptor types, TrkA and p75, to support survival and differentiation of neurons. The high-affinity binding on the cell surface is believed to involve a heteroreceptor complex, but its exact nature is unclear. We developed a heterodimer (heteromutein) of two NGF muteins that can bind p75 and TrkA on opposite sides of the heterodimer, but not two TrkA receptors. Previously described muteins are Δ9/13 that is TrkA negative and 7-84-103 that is signal selective through TrkA. The heteromutein (Htm1) was used to study the heteroreceptor complex formation and function, in the putative absence of NGF-induced TrkA dimerization. Cellular binding assays indicated that Htm1 does not bind TrkA as efficiently as wild-type (wt) NGF but has better affinity than either homodimeric mutein. Htm1, 7-84-103, and Δ9/13 were each able to compete for cold-temperature, cold-chase stable binding on PC12 cells, indicating that binding to p75 was required for a portion of this high-affinity binding. Survival, neurite outgrowth, and MAPK signaling in PC12 cells also showed a reduced response for Htm1, compared with wtNGF, but was better than the parent muteins in the order wtNGF > Htm1 > 7-84-103 >> Δ9/13. Htm1 and 7-84-103 demonstrated similar levels of survival on cells expressing only TrkA. In the longstanding debate on the NGF receptor binding mechanism, our data support the ligand passing of NGF from p75 to TrkA involving a transient heteroreceptor complex of p75-NGF-TrkA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrishikesh M Mehta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Capsoni S, Marinelli S, Ceci M, Vignone D, Amato G, Malerba F, Paoletti F, Meli G, Viegi A, Pavone F, Cattaneo A. Intranasal "painless" human Nerve Growth Factor [corrected] slows amyloid neurodegeneration and prevents memory deficits in App X PS1 mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37555. [PMID: 22666365 PMCID: PMC3364340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is being considered as a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment but the clinical application is hindered by its potent pro-nociceptive activity. Thus, to reduce systemic exposure that would induce pain, in recent clinical studies NGF was administered through an invasive intracerebral gene-therapy approach. Our group demonstrated the feasibility of a non-invasive intranasal delivery of NGF in a mouse model of neurodegeneration. NGF therapeutic window could be further increased if its nociceptive effects could be avoided altogether. In this study we exploit forms of NGF, mutated at residue R100, inspired by the human genetic disease HSAN V (Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy Type V), which would allow increasing the dose of NGF without triggering pain. We show that "painless" hNGF displays full neurotrophic and anti-amyloidogenic activities in neuronal cultures, and a reduced nociceptive activity in vivo. When administered intranasally to APPxPS1 mice ( n = 8), hNGFP61S/R100E prevents the progress of neurodegeneration and of behavioral deficits. These results demonstrate the in vivo neuroprotective and anti-amyloidogenic properties of hNGFR100 mutants and provide a rational basis for the development of "painless" hNGF variants as a new generation of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Capsoni
- European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Marinelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Flaminia Pavone
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Taking pain out of NGF: a "painless" NGF mutant, linked to hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type V, with full neurotrophic activity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17321. [PMID: 21387003 PMCID: PMC3046150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During adulthood, the neurotrophin Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) sensitizes
nociceptors, thereby increasing the response to noxious stimuli. The
relationship between NGF and pain is supported by genetic evidence: mutations in
the NGF TrkA receptor in patients affected by an hereditary rare disease
(Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy type IV, HSAN IV) determine a
congenital form of severe pain insensitivity, with mental retardation, while a
mutation in NGFB gene, leading to the aminoacid substitution
R100W in mature NGF, determines a similar loss of pain
perception, without overt cognitive neurological defects (HSAN V). The R100W
mutation provokes a reduced processing of proNGF to mature NGF in cultured cells
and a higher percentage of neurotrophin secreted is in the proNGF form.
Moreover, using Surface Plasmon Resonance we showed that the R100W mutation does
not affect NGF binding to TrkA, while it abolishes NGF binding to p75NTR
receptors. However, it remains to be clarified whether the major impact of the
mutation is on the biological function of proNGF or of mature NGF and to what
extent the effects of the R100W mutation on the HSAN V clinical phenotype are
developmental, or whether they reflect an impaired effectiveness of NGF to
regulate and mediate nociceptive transmission in adult sensory neurons. Here we
show that the R100 mutation selectively alters some of the signaling pathways
activated downstream of TrkA NGF receptors. NGFR100 mutants maintain identical
neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties in a variety of cell assays, while
displaying a significantly reduced pain-inducing activity in
vivo (n = 8–10 mice/group). We also show
that proNGF has a significantly reduced nociceptive activity, with respect to
NGF. Both sets of results jointly contribute to elucidating the mechanisms
underlying the clinical HSAN V manifestations, and to clarifying which receptors
and intracellular signaling cascades participate in the pain sensitizing action
of NGF.
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13
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Bai Y, Dergham P, Nedev H, Xu J, Galan A, Rivera JC, ZhiHua S, Mehta HM, Woo SB, Sarunic MV, Neet KE, Saragovi HU. Chronic and acute models of retinal neurodegeneration TrkA activity are neuroprotective whereas p75NTR activity is neurotoxic through a paracrine mechanism. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:39392-400. [PMID: 20943663 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.147801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In normal adult retinas, NGF receptor TrkA is expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGC), whereas glia express p75(NTR). During retinal injury, endogenous NGF, TrkA, and p75(NTR) are up-regulated. Paradoxically, neither endogenous NGF nor exogenous administration of wild type NGF can protect degenerating RGCs, even when administered at high frequency. Here we elucidate the relative contribution of NGF and each of its receptors to RGC degeneration in vivo. During retinal degeneration due to glaucoma or optic nerve transection, treatment with a mutant NGF that only activates TrkA, or with a biological response modifier that prevents endogenous NGF and pro-NGF from binding to p75(NTR) affords significant neuroprotection. Treatment of normal eyes with an NGF mutant-selective p75(NTR) agonist causes progressive RGC death, and in injured eyes it accelerates RGC death. The mechanism of p75(NTR) action during retinal degeneration due to glaucoma is paracrine, by increasing production of neurotoxic proteins TNF-α and α(2)-macroglobulin. Antagonists of p75(NTR) inhibit TNF-α and α(2)-macroglobulin up-regulation during disease, and afford neuroprotection. These data reveal a balance of neuroprotective and neurotoxic mechanisms in normal and diseased retinas, and validate each neurotrophin receptor as a pharmacological target for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujing Bai
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
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14
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Reddy EM, Chettiar ST, Kaur N, Shepal V, Shiras A. Dlxin-1, a MAGE family protein, induces accelerated neurite outgrowth and cell survival by enhanced and early activation of MEK and Akt signalling pathways in PC12 cells. Exp Cell Res 2010; 316:2220-36. [PMID: 20595047 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2009] [Revised: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Dlxin-1 (also known as NRAGE or MAGED1) is a member of Type II melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family of proteins characterized by presence of a unique region of about 200 amino acids known as the MAGE homology domain (MHD). Dlxin-1 is associated with a large number of diverse cellular functions ranging from transcriptional regulation, cell cycle progression and differentiation to developmental apoptosis. While there are numerous studies reporting the role of NRAGE in facilitating cell death by interaction with p75NTR, we found varied effects of Dlxin-1 over-expression on PC12 cells grown in presence of NGF. These include induction of increased cell survival in presence of NGF and accelerated neuronal differentiation. We here categorically demonstrate that the effects on neuritogenesis are promoted through interactions of Dlxin-1 with the neurotrophin receptor TrkA. Further, using pharmacological inhibitors to specific pathways, we delineate the effects on enhanced neuritogenesis to the early and sustained activation of MEK pathway whereas the effects on cell survival to the early activation of Akt pathway. Next, we demonstrate a physical interaction of necdin with Dlxin-1 in PC12 cells. Our results establish that Dlxin-1 is an enhancer of neuronal differentiation and suggests that its possible interaction with NGF and necdin is critical in mediating pathways involved in neuronal survival and differentiation. Further in-depth analyses of the activation of various signalling pathways mediated through interaction with Dlxin-1 may provide valuable insight on the mechanisms that govern decisions regarding neuronal survival, growth, differentiation or apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Maheswara Reddy
- National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), NCCS Complex, University of Pune Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India.
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15
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Mahapatra S, Mehta H, Woo SB, Neet KE. Identification of critical residues within the conserved and specificity patches of nerve growth factor leading to survival or differentiation. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:33600-13. [PMID: 19762468 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.058420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Afflicted neurons in Alzheimer disease have been shown to display an imbalance in the expression of TrkA and p75(NTR) at the cell surface, and administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) has been considered and attempted for treatment. However, wild-type NGF causes extensive elaboration of neurites while providing survival support. This study was aimed at developing recombinant NGF muteins that did not support neuritogenesis while maintaining the survival response. Critical residues were identified at the ligand-receptor interface by point mutagenesis that played a greater importance in neuritogenesis versus survival. By combining point mutations, two survival-selective recombinant NGF muteins, i.e./7-84-103 and KKE/7-84-103, were generated. Both muteins reduced neuritogenesis in PC12 (TrkA(+)/p75(NTR+)) cells by >90%, while concurrently retaining near wild-type survival activity in MG139 (TrkA(+) only) and PCNA fibroblast (p75(NTR+)-only) cells. Additionally, survival in both naive and terminally differentiated PC12 cells was shown to be intermediate between NGF and negative controls. Dose-response curves with 7-84-103 showed that the differentiation curve was shifted by about 100-fold, whereas the EC(50) for survival was only increased by 3.3-fold. Surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed a 200-fold decrease in binding of 7-84-103 to TrkA. The retention of cell survival was attributed to maintenance of signaling through the Akt survival pathway with reduced MAPK signaling for differentiation. The effect of key mutations along the NGF receptor interface are transmitted inside the cell to enable the generation of survival-selective recombinant NGF muteins that may represent novel pharmacologic lead agents for the amelioration of Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidharth Mahapatra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, USA
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