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Nam J, Richie CT, Harvey BK, Voutilainen MH. Delivery of CDNF by AAV-mediated gene transfer protects dopamine neurons and regulates ER stress and inflammation in an acute MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16487. [PMID: 39019902 PMCID: PMC11254911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65735-5] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and its close structural relative, mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), are proteins with neurotrophic properties. CDNF protects and restores the function of dopamine (DA) neurons in rodent and non-human primate (NHP) toxin models of Parkinson's disease (PD) and therefore shows promise as a drug candidate for disease-modifying treatment of PD. Moreover, CDNF was found to be safe and to have some therapeutic effects on PD patients in phase 1/2 clinical trials. However, the mechanism underlying the neurotrophic activity of CDNF is unknown. In this study, we delivered human CDNF (hCDNF) to the brain using an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector and demonstrated the neurotrophic effect of AAV-hCDNF in an acute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. AAV-hCDNF resulted in the expression of hCDNF in the striatum (STR) and substantia nigra (SN), and no toxic effects on the nigrostriatal pathway were observed. Intrastriatal injection of AAV-hCDNF reduced motor impairment and partially alleviated gait dysfunction in the acute MPTP mouse model. In addition, gene therapy with AAV-hCDNF had significant neuroprotective effects on the nigrostriatal pathway and decreased the levels of interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) and complement 3 (C3) in glial cells in the acute MPTP mouse model. Moreover, AAV-hCDNF reduced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78) expression in astroglia. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of CDNF may be mediated at least in part through the regulation of neuroinflammation and the UPR pathway in a mouse MPTP model of PD in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhan Nam
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christopher T Richie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon K Harvey
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Merja H Voutilainen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Cheng YJ, Wang F, Feng J, Yu B, Wang B, Gao Q, Wang TY, Hu B, Gao X, Chen JF, Chen YJ, Lv SQ, Feng H, Xiao L, Mei F. Prolonged myelin deficits contribute to neuron loss and functional impairments after ischaemic stroke. Brain 2024; 147:1294-1311. [PMID: 38289861 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae029] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischaemic stroke causes neuron loss and long-term functional deficits. Unfortunately, effective approaches to preserving neurons and promoting functional recovery remain unavailable. Oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells in the CNS, are susceptible to oxygen and nutrition deprivation and undergo degeneration after ischaemic stroke. Technically, new oligodendrocytes and myelin can be generated by the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). However, myelin dynamics and their functional significance after ischaemic stroke remain poorly understood. Here, we report numerous denuded axons accompanied by decreased neuron density in sections from ischaemic stroke lesions in human brain, suggesting that neuron loss correlates with myelin deficits in these lesions. To investigate the longitudinal changes in myelin dynamics after stroke, we labelled and traced pre-existing and newly-formed myelin, respectively, using cell-specific genetic approaches. Our results indicated massive oligodendrocyte death and myelin loss 2 weeks after stroke in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model. In contrast, myelin regeneration remained insufficient 4 and 8 weeks post-stroke. Notably, neuronal loss and functional impairments worsened in aged brains, and new myelin generation was diminished. To analyse the causal relationship between remyelination and neuron survival, we manipulated myelinogenesis by conditional deletion of Olig2 (a positive regulator) or muscarinic receptor 1 (M1R, a negative regulator) in OPCs. Deleting Olig2 inhibited remyelination, reducing neuron survival and functional recovery after tMCAO. Conversely, enhancing remyelination by M1R conditional knockout or treatment with the pro-myelination drug clemastine after tMCAO preserved white matter integrity and neuronal survival, accelerating functional recovery. Together, our findings demonstrate that enhancing myelinogenesis is a promising strategy to preserve neurons and promote functional recovery after ischaemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jie Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery and Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma, 1st affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jie Feng
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, 2nd affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Physiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qing Gao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, PR China
| | - Teng-Yue Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, PR China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Physiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xing Gao
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jing-Fei Chen
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yu-Jie Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma, 1st affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Sheng-Qing Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, 2nd affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery and Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma, 1st affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, 2nd affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Feng Mei
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
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Kulesskaya N, Bhattacharjee A, Holmström KM, Vuorio P, Henriques A, Callizot N, Huttunen HJ. HER-096 is a CDNF-derived brain-penetrating peptidomimetic that protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse synucleinopathy model of Parkinson's disease. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:593-606.e9. [PMID: 38039968 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is an unconventional neurotropic factor that modulates unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway signaling and alleviates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress providing cytoprotective effects in different models of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we developed a brain-penetrating peptidomimetic compound based on human CDNF. This compound called HER-096 shows similar potency and mechanism of action as CDNF, and promotes dopamine neuron survival, reduces α-synuclein aggregation and modulates UPR signaling in in vitro models. HER-096 is metabolically stable and able to penetrate to cerebrospinal (CSF) and brain interstitial fluids (ISF) after subcutaneous administration, with an extended CSF and brain ISF half-life compared to plasma. Subcutaneously administered HER-096 modulated UPR pathway activity, protected dopamine neurons, and reduced α-synuclein aggregates and neuroinflammation in substantia nigra of aged mice with synucleinopathy. Peptidomimetic HER-096 is a candidate for development of a disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson's disease with a patient-friendly route of administration.
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Lõhelaid H, Saarma M, Airavaara M. CDNF and ER stress: Pharmacology and therapeutic possibilities. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 254:108594. [PMID: 38290651 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is an endogenous protein in humans and other vertebrates, and it has been shown to have protective and restorative effects on cells in various disease models. Although it is named as a neurotrophic factor, its actions are drastically different from classical neurotrophic factors such as neurotrophins or the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic family of proteins. Like all secreted proteins, CDNF has a signal sequence at the N-terminus, but unlike common growth factors it has a KDEL-receptor retrieval sequence at the C-terminus. Thus, CDNF is mainly located in the ER. In response to adverse effects, such as ER stress, the expression of CDNF is upregulated and can alleviate ER stress. Also different from other neurotrophic factors, CDNF reduces protein aggregation and inflammation in disease models. Although it is an ER luminal protein, it can surprisingly directly interact with alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies e.g., Parkinson's disease. Pleiotropic CDNF has therapeutic potential and has been tested as a recombinant human protein and gene therapy. The neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects have been described in a number of preclinical studies of Parkinson's disease, stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Currently, it was successfully evaluated for safety in a phase 1/2 clinical trial for Parkinson's disease. Collectively, based on recent findings on the mode of action and therapeutic potential of CDNF, its use as a drug could be expanded to other ER stress-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helike Lõhelaid
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland; Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mart Saarma
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland; Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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Villa-Cedillo SA, Matta-Yee-Chig D, Soto-Domínguez A, Rodríguez-Rocha H, García-García A, Montes-de-Oca-Saucedo CR, Loera-Arias MDJ, Valdés J, Saucedo-Cárdenas O. CDNF overexpression prevents motor-cognitive dysfunction by intrastriatal CPP-based delivery system in a Parkinson's disease animal model. Neuropeptides 2023; 102:102385. [PMID: 37837805 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2023.102385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compact (SNpc), and no effective treatment has yet been established to prevent PD. Neurotrophic factors, such as cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF), have shown a neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons. Previously, we developed a cell-penetrating-peptide-based delivery system that includes Asn194Lys mutation in the rabies virus glycoprotein-9R peptide (mRVG9R), which demonstrated a higher delivery rate than the wild-type. In this study, using a mouse PD-like model, we evaluated the intrastriatal mRVG9R-KP-CDNF gene therapy through motor and cognitive tests and brain cell analysis. The mRVG9R-KP-CDNF complex was injected into the striatum on days 0 and 20. To induce the PD-like model, mice were intraperitoneally administered Paraquat (PQ) twice a week for 6 weeks. Our findings demonstrate that mRVG9R-KP-CDNF gene therapy effectively protects brain cells from PQ toxicity and prevents motor and cognitive dysfunction in mice. We propose that the mRVG9R-KP-CDNF complex inhibits astrogliosis and microglia activation, safeguarding dopaminergic neurons and oligodendrocytes from PQ-induced damage. This study presents an efficient CDNF delivery system, protecting neurons and glia in the nigrostriatal pathway from PQ-induced damage, which is known to lead to motor and cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila A Villa-Cedillo
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Daniel Matta-Yee-Chig
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Soto-Domínguez
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Humberto Rodríguez-Rocha
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Aracely García-García
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | | | - María de Jesús Loera-Arias
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Jesús Valdés
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Departamento de Bioquímica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Odila Saucedo-Cárdenas
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
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Stansberry WM, Pierchala BA. Neurotrophic factors in the physiology of motor neurons and their role in the pathobiology and therapeutic approach to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1238453. [PMID: 37692101 PMCID: PMC10483118 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1238453] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the neurotrophins and their potent survival and trophic effects led to great enthusiasm about their therapeutic potential to rescue dying neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. The further discovery that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) had potent survival-promoting activity on motor neurons led to the proposal for their use in motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this review we synthesize the literature pertaining to the role of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and GDNF on the development and physiology of spinal motor neurons, as well as the preclinical studies that evaluated their potential for the treatment of ALS. Results from the clinical trials of these molecules will also be described and, with the aid of decades of hindsight, we will discuss what can reasonably be concluded and how this information can inform future clinical development of neurotrophic factors for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley M. Stansberry
- The Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Medical Neuroscience Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Brian A. Pierchala
- The Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Medical Neuroscience Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Pakarinen E, Lindholm P. CDNF and MANF in the brain dopamine system and their potential as treatment for Parkinson's disease. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1188697. [PMID: 37555005 PMCID: PMC10405524 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1188697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradual loss of midbrain dopamine neurons, leading to impaired motor function. Preclinical studies have indicated cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) to be potential therapeutic molecules for the treatment of PD. CDNF was proven to be safe and well tolerated when tested in Phase I-II clinical trials in PD patients. Neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of CDNF and MANF were demonstrated in animal models of PD, where they promoted the survival of dopamine neurons and improved motor function. However, biological roles of endogenous CDNF and MANF proteins in the midbrain dopamine system have been less clear. In addition to extracellular trophic activities, CDNF/MANF proteins function intracellularly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they modulate protein homeostasis and protect cells against ER stress by regulating the unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, our aim is to give an overview of the biology of endogenous CDNF and MANF in the brain dopamine system. We will discuss recent studies on CDNF and MANF knockout animal models, and effects of CDNF and MANF in preclinical models of PD. To elucidate possible roles of CDNF and MANF in human biology, we will review CDNF and MANF tissue expression patterns and regulation of CDNF/MANF levels in human diseases. Finally, we will discuss novel findings related to the molecular mechanism of CDNF and MANF action in ER stress, UPR, and inflammation, all of which are mechanisms potentially involved in the pathophysiology of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Päivi Lindholm
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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