1
|
Müller P, Draguhn A, Egorov AV. Persistent sodium currents in neurons: potential mechanisms and pharmacological blockers. Pflugers Arch 2024:10.1007/s00424-024-02980-7. [PMID: 38967655 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02980-7] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Persistent sodium current (INaP) is an important activity-dependent regulator of neuronal excitability. It is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including pacemaking, prolongation of sensory potentials, neuronal injury, chronic pain and diseases such as epilepsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Despite its importance, neither the molecular basis nor the regulation of INaP are sufficiently understood. Of particular significance is a solid knowledge and widely accepted consensus about pharmacological tools for analysing the function of INaP and for developing new therapeutic strategies. However, the literature on INaP is heterogeneous, with varying definitions and methodologies used across studies. To address these issues, we provide a systematic review of the current state of knowledge on INaP, with focus on mechanisms and effects of this current in the central nervous system. We provide an overview of the specificity and efficacy of the most widely used INaP blockers: amiodarone, cannabidiol, carbamazepine, cenobamate, eslicarbazepine, ethosuximide, gabapentin, GS967, lacosamide, lamotrigine, lidocaine, NBI-921352, oxcarbazepine, phenytoine, PRAX-562, propofol, ranolazine, riluzole, rufinamide, topiramate, valproaic acid and zonisamide. We conclude that there is strong variance in the pharmacological effects of these drugs, and in the available information. At present, GS967 and riluzole can be regarded bona fide INaP blockers, while phenytoin and lacosamide are blockers that only act on the slowly inactivating component of sodium currents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Müller
- Department Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen , Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Draguhn
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 326, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexei V Egorov
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 326, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang X, Zhu H, Liu T, Guo Z, Zhao C, He Z, Zheng W. Comparison of various doses of oral cannabidiol for treating refractory epilepsy indications: a network meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1243597. [PMID: 38994494 PMCID: PMC11238246 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1243597] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of various doses of oral cannabidiol (CBD) in treating refractory epilepsy indications, thus providing more informative evidence for clinical decision-making. Methods A literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, and Web of Science (WoS) was performed to retrieve relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared different doses of oral CBD with placebo or each other in refractory epilepsy indications. The search was limited from the inception of each database to January 3, 2023. Relative risk [RR] with a 95% confidence interval [CI] was used to express results. STATA/SE 14 was employed for network meta-analysis. Results Six RCTs involving 972 patients were included in the final data analysis. Network meta-analysis showed that, CBD10 (10 mg/kg/day) (RR: 1.77, 95%CI: 1.28 to 2.44), CBD20 (20 mg/kg/day) (RR: 1.91, 95%CI: 1.49 to 2.46), CBD25 (25 mg/kg/day) (RR: 1.61, 95%CI: 0.96 to 2.70), and CBD50 (50 mg/kg/day) (RR: 1.78, 95%CI: 1.07 to 2.94) were associated with higher antiseizure efficacy although the pooled result for CBD25 was only close to significant. In addition, in terms of the risk of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), the difference between different doses is not significant. However, CBD20 ranked first in terms of antiseizure efficacy, followed by CBD50, CBD10, and CBD25. For TEAEs, CBD25 ranked first, followed by CBD10, CBD50, CBD5, and CBD20. Conclusion For refractory indications, CBD20 may be optimal option for antiseizure efficacy; however, CBD25 may be best for TEAEs. Therefore, an appropriate dose of oral CBD should be selected based on the actual situation. Due to the limitations of eligible studies and the limited sample size, more studies are needed in the future to validate our findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haiyan Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhi Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenyang Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhiyi He
- The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wenxu Zheng
- Geriatric Department of Dalian Friendship Hospital, Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vanoye CG, Abramova TV, DeKeyser JM, Ghabra NF, Oudin MJ, Burge CB, Helbig I, Thompson CH, George AL. Molecular and cellular context influences SCN8A variant function. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e177530. [PMID: 38771640 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177530] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in SCN8A, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel NaV1.6, associate with neurodevelopmental disorders, including developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Previous approaches to determine SCN8A variant function may be confounded by use of a neonatally expressed, alternatively spliced isoform of NaV1.6 (NaV1.6N) and engineered mutations rendering the channel tetrodotoxin (TTX) resistant. We investigated the impact of SCN8A alternative splicing on variant function by comparing the functional attributes of 15 variants expressed in 2 developmentally regulated splice isoforms (NaV1.6N, NaV1.6A). We employed automated patch clamp recording to enhance throughput, and developed a neuronal cell line (ND7/LoNav) with low levels of endogenous NaV current to obviate the need for TTX-resistance mutations. Expression of NaV1.6N or NaV1.6A in ND7/LoNav cells generated NaV currents with small, but significant, differences in voltage dependence of activation and inactivation. TTX-resistant versions of both isoforms exhibited significant functional differences compared with the corresponding WT channels. We demonstrated that many of the 15 disease-associated variants studied exhibited isoform-dependent functional effects, and that many of the studied SCN8A variants exhibited functional properties that were not easily classified as either gain- or loss-of-function. Our work illustrates the value of considering molecular and cellular context when investigating SCN8A variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos G Vanoye
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tatiana V Abramova
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jean-Marc DeKeyser
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nora F Ghabra
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Madeleine J Oudin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher B Burge
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ingo Helbig
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher H Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mancini M, Calculli A, Di Martino D, Pisani A. Interplay between endocannabinoids and dopamine in the basal ganglia: implications for pain in Parkinson's disease. JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA, ANALGESIA AND CRITICAL CARE 2024; 4:33. [PMID: 38745258 PMCID: PMC11094869 DOI: 10.1186/s44158-024-00169-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Pain is a complex phenomenon, and basal ganglia circuitry integrates many aspects of pain including motor, emotional, autonomic, and cognitive responses. Perturbations in dopamine (DA) signaling are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic pain due to its involvement in both pain perception and relief. Several lines of evidence support the role of endocannabinoids (eCBs) in the regulation of many electrical and chemical aspects of DAergic neuron function including excitability, synaptic transmission, integration, and plasticity. However, eCBs play an even more intricate and intimate relationship with DA, as indicated by the adaptive changes in the eCB system following DA depletion. Although the precise mechanisms underlying DA control on pain are not fully understood, given the high correlation of eCB and DAergic system, it is conceivable that eCBs may be part of these mechanisms.In this brief survey, we describe the reciprocal regulation of eCB-DA neurotransmission with a particular emphasis on the actions of eCBs on ionic and synaptic signaling in DAergic neurons mediated by CB receptors or independent on them. Furthermore, we analyze the eCB-DA imbalance which characterizes pain condition and report the implications of reduced DA levels for pain in Parkinson's disease. Lastly, we discuss the potential of the eCB-DA system in the development of future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mancini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, c/o Mondino Foundation Via Mondino, 2, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Alessandra Calculli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, c/o Mondino Foundation Via Mondino, 2, Pavia, 27100, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Deborah Di Martino
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, c/o Mondino Foundation Via Mondino, 2, Pavia, 27100, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, c/o Mondino Foundation Via Mondino, 2, Pavia, 27100, Italy.
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, 27100, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
George AL. Late Sodium Current Promotes Ventricular Arrhythmia in Epilepsy-Related Sudden Death. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 10:843-845. [PMID: 38703165 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moreira FA, de Oliveira ACP, Santos VR, Moraes MFD. Cannabidiol and epilepsy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 177:135-147. [PMID: 39029983 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been investigated as a pharmacological approach for treating a myriad of neurological and psychiatric disorders, the most successful of them being its use as an antiseizure drug (ASD). Indeed, CBD has reached the clinics for the treatment of certain epileptic syndromes. This chapter aims to overview the pharmacology of CBD and its potential mechanisms of action as an ASD. First, we give an outline of the concepts, mechanisms and pharmacology pertaining to the field of study of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. In the second section, we will summarize the effects of CBD as an ASD. Next, we will discuss its potential mechanisms of action to alleviate epileptic seizures, which seem to entail multiple neurotransmitters, receptors and intracellular pathways. Finally, we will conclude and present some limitations and perspectives for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício A Moreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Antônio C P de Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Victor R Santos
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcio F D Moraes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen JL, Kuo CC. Inhibition of resurgent Na + currents by rufinamide. Neuropharmacology 2024; 247:109835. [PMID: 38228283 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109835] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Na+ channels are essential for the genesis of action potentials in most neurons. After opening by membrane depolarization, Na+ channels enter a series of inactivated states (e.g. the fast, intermediate, and slow inactivated states; or If, Ii, and Is). The inactivated Na+ channel may recover via the open state upon membrane repolarization, giving rise to "resurgent" Na+ currents which could be critical for densely repetitive or burst discharges. We incubated CHO-K1 cells transfected with human NaV1.7 cDNA and measured resurgent currents with whole-cell patch recordings. We found Ii is the major inactivated state responsible for the genesis of resurgent currents. Rufinamide, in therapeutic concentrations, could selectively bind to Ii to slow the recovery process and dose-dependently inhibit resurgent currents. The other Na+ channel-inhibiting antiseizure medications (ASM), such as phenytoin and lacosamide (selectively binds to If and Is, separately), fail to show a similar inhibitory effect in clinically relevant concentrations. Resurgent currents are decreased with lengthening of the prepulse, presumably because of redistribution of the channel from Ii to If. Rufinamide could accentuate the decrease to mimic a use-dependent inhibitory effect. The molecular action of slowing of recovery from inactivation by binding to Ii also explains the highly correlative inhibitory effect of rufinamide on both transient and resurgent Na+ currents. The modest but correlative inhibition of both currents may make a novel synergistic effect and thus strong-enough suppression of pathological repetitive and especially burst discharges. Rufinamide may thus have a unique spectrum of therapeutic applications for disorders with excessive neural excitabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Lin Chen
- Department of Physiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Chin Kuo
- Department of Physiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Thompson AC, Aizenman CD. Characterization of Na + currents regulating intrinsic excitability of optic tectal neurons. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302232. [PMID: 37918964 PMCID: PMC10622587 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing neurons adapt their intrinsic excitability to maintain stable output despite changing synaptic input. The mechanisms behind this process remain unclear. In this study, we examined Xenopus optic tectal neurons and found that the expressions of Nav1.1 and Nav1.6 voltage-gated Na+ channels are regulated during changes in intrinsic excitability, both during development and becsuse of changes in visual experience. Using whole-cell electrophysiology, we demonstrate the existence of distinct, fast, persistent, and resurgent Na+ currents in the tectum, and show that these Na+ currents are co-regulated with changes in Nav channel expression. Using antisense RNA to suppress the expression of specific Nav subunits, we found that up-regulation of Nav1.6 expression, but not Nav1.1, was necessary for experience-dependent increases in Na+ currents and intrinsic excitability. Furthermore, this regulation was also necessary for normal development of sensory guided behaviors. These data suggest that the regulation of Na+ currents through the modulation of Nav1.6 expression, and to a lesser extent Nav1.1, plays a crucial role in controlling the intrinsic excitability of tectal neurons and guiding normal development of the tectal circuitry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian C Thompson
- https://ror.org/05gq02987 Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carlos D Aizenman
- https://ror.org/05gq02987 Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pökl M, Sridhar A, Frampton DJA, Linhart VA, Delemotte L, Liin SI. Subtype-specific modulation of human K V 7 channels by the anticonvulsant cannabidiol through a lipid-exposed pore-domain site. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2956-2972. [PMID: 37377025 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16183] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cannabidiol (CBD) is used clinically as an anticonvulsant. Its precise mechanism of action has remained unclear. CBD was recently demonstrated to enhance the activity of the neuronal KV 7.2/7.3 channel, which may be one important contributor to CBD anticonvulsant effect. Curiously, CBD inhibits the closely related cardiac KV 7.1/KCNE1 channel. Whether and how CBD affects other KV 7 subtypes remains uninvestigated and the CBD interaction sites mediating these diverse effects remain unknown. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Here, we used electrophysiology, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis to address these questions. KEY RESULTS We found that CBD modulates the activity of all human KV 7 subtypes and that the effects are subtype dependent. CBD enhanced the activity of KV 7.2-7.5 subtypes, seen as a V50 shift towards more negative voltages or increased maximum conductance. In contrast, CBD inhibited the KV 7.1 and KV 7.1/KCNE1 channels, seen as a V50 shift towards more positive voltages and reduced conductance. In KV 7.2 and KV 7.4, we propose a CBD interaction site at the subunit interface in the pore domain that overlaps with the interaction site of other compounds, notably the anticonvulsant retigabine. However, CBD relies on other residues for its effects than the conserved tryptophan that is critical for retigabine effects. We propose a similar, though not identical CBD site in KV 7.1, with a non-conserved phenylalanine being important. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We identify novel targets of CBD, contributing to a better understanding of CBD clinical effects and provide mechanistic insights into how CBD modulates different KV 7 subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pökl
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Akshay Sridhar
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Damon J A Frampton
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Veronika A Linhart
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lucie Delemotte
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sara I Liin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vanoye CG, Abramova TV, DeKeyser JM, Ghabra NF, Oudin MJ, Burge CB, Helbig I, Thompson CH, George AL. Molecular and Cellular Context Influences SCN8A Variant Function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.11.566702. [PMID: 38014225 PMCID: PMC10680676 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.11.566702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in SCN8A , which encodes the voltage-gated sodium (Na V ) channel Na V 1.6, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including epileptic encephalopathy. Previous approaches to determine SCN8A variant function may be confounded by the use of a neonatal-expressed alternatively spliced isoform of Na V 1.6 (Na V 1.6N), and engineered mutations to render the channel tetrodotoxin (TTX) resistant. In this study, we investigated the impact of SCN8A alternative splicing on variant function by comparing the functional attributes of 15 variants expressed in two developmentally regulated splice isoforms (Na V 1.6N, Na V 1.6A). We employed automated patch clamp recording to enhance throughput, and developed a novel neuronal cell line (ND7/LoNav) with low levels of endogenous Na V current to obviate the need for TTX-resistance mutations. Expression of Na V 1.6N or Na V 1.6A in ND7/LoNav cells generated Na V currents that differed significantly in voltage-dependence of activation and inactivation. TTX-resistant versions of both isoforms exhibited significant functional differences compared to the corresponding wild-type (WT) channels. We demonstrated that many of the 15 disease-associated variants studied exhibited isoform-dependent functional effects, and that many of the studied SCN8A variants exhibited functional properties that were not easily classified as either gain- or loss-of-function. Our work illustrates the value of considering molecular and cellular context when investigating SCN8A variants.
Collapse
|
11
|
Fawcett J, Davis S, Manford M. Further advances in epilepsy. J Neurol 2023; 270:5655-5670. [PMID: 37458794 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11860-6] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2017, one of us reviewed advances in epilepsy (Manford in J Neurol 264:1811-1824, 2017). The current paper brings that review up to date and gives a slight change in emphasis. Once again, the story is of evolution rather than revolution. In recognition that most of our current medications act on neurotransmitters or ion channels, and not on the underlying changes in connectivity and pathways, they have been renamed as antiseizure (ASM) medications rather than antiepileptic drugs. Cenobamate is the one newly licensed medication for broader use in focal epilepsy but there have been a number of developments for specific disorders. We review new players and look forward to new developments in the light of evolving underlying science. We look at teratogenicity; old villains and new concerns in which clinicians play a vital role in explaining and balancing the risks. Medical treatment of status epilepticus, long without evidence, has benefitted from high-quality trials to inform practice; like buses, several arriving at once. Surgical treatment continues to be refined with improvements in the pre-surgical evaluation of patients, especially with new imaging techniques. Alternatives including stereotactic radiotherapy have received further focus and targets for palliative stimulation techniques have grown in number. Individuals' autonomy and quality of life continue to be the subject of research with refinement of what clinicians can do to help persons with epilepsy (PWE) achieve control. This includes seizure management but extends to broader considerations of human empowerment, needs and desires, which may be aided by emerging technologies such as seizure detection devices. The role of specialist nurses in improving that quality has been reinforced by specific endorsement from the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Fawcett
- Department of Neurology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
| | - Sarah Davis
- Department of Neurology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
| | - Mark Manford
- Department of Neurology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Huang J, Fan X, Jin X, Jo S, Zhang HB, Fujita A, Bean BP, Yan N. Cannabidiol inhibits Na v channels through two distinct binding sites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3613. [PMID: 37330538 PMCID: PMC10276812 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid in cannabis, is an effective treatment for some forms of epilepsy and pain. At high concentrations, CBD interacts with a huge variety of proteins, but which targets are most relevant for clinical actions is still unclear. Here we show that CBD interacts with Nav1.7 channels at sub-micromolar concentrations in a state-dependent manner. Electrophysiological experiments show that CBD binds to the inactivated state of Nav1.7 channels with a dissociation constant of about 50 nM. The cryo-EM structure of CBD bound to Nav1.7 channels reveals two distinct binding sites. One is in the IV-I fenestration near the upper pore. The other binding site is directly next to the inactivated "wedged" position of the Ile/Phe/Met (IFM) motif on the short linker between repeats III and IV, which mediates fast inactivation. Consistent with producing a direct stabilization of the inactivated state, mutating residues in this binding site greatly reduced state-dependent binding of CBD. The identification of this binding site may enable design of compounds with improved properties compared to CBD itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Xiao Fan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Xueqin Jin
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Sooyeon Jo
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hanxiong Bear Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Akie Fujita
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Bruce P Bean
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Nieng Yan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rosenberg EC, Chamberland S, Bazelot M, Nebet ER, Wang X, McKenzie S, Jain S, Greenhill S, Wilson M, Marley N, Salah A, Bailey S, Patra PH, Rose R, Chenouard N, Sun SED, Jones D, Buzsáki G, Devinsky O, Woodhall G, Scharfman HE, Whalley BJ, Tsien RW. Cannabidiol modulates excitatory-inhibitory ratio to counter hippocampal hyperactivity. Neuron 2023; 111:1282-1300.e8. [PMID: 36787750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-euphoric component of cannabis, reduces seizures in multiple forms of pediatric epilepsies, but the mechanism(s) of anti-seizure action remain unclear. In one leading model, CBD acts at glutamatergic axon terminals, blocking the pro-excitatory actions of an endogenous membrane phospholipid, lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), at the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR55. However, the impact of LPI-GPR55 signaling at inhibitory synapses and in epileptogenesis remains underexplored. We found that LPI transiently increased hippocampal CA3-CA1 excitatory presynaptic release probability and evoked synaptic strength in WT mice, while attenuating inhibitory postsynaptic strength by decreasing GABAARγ2 and gephyrin puncta. LPI effects at excitatory and inhibitory synapses were eliminated by CBD pre-treatment and absent after GPR55 deletion. Acute pentylenetrazole-induced seizures elevated GPR55 and LPI levels, and chronic lithium-pilocarpine-induced epileptogenesis potentiated LPI's pro-excitatory effects. We propose that CBD exerts potential anti-seizure effects by blocking LPI's synaptic effects and dampening hyperexcitability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan C Rosenberg
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Simon Chamberland
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Bazelot
- School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Hopkins Life Science Building, Whiteknights, Reading, Berks RG6 6AP, UK; GW Research Ltd, Histon, Cambridge, UK
| | - Erica R Nebet
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Xiaohan Wang
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sam McKenzie
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Swati Jain
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Stuart Greenhill
- Aston Neuroscience Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Max Wilson
- Aston Neuroscience Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nicole Marley
- Aston Neuroscience Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alejandro Salah
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shanice Bailey
- School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Hopkins Life Science Building, Whiteknights, Reading, Berks RG6 6AP, UK
| | - Pabitra Hriday Patra
- School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Hopkins Life Science Building, Whiteknights, Reading, Berks RG6 6AP, UK
| | - Rebecca Rose
- Department of Advanced Research Technologies, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Nicolas Chenouard
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Simón E D Sun
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Drew Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - György Buzsáki
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Gavin Woodhall
- Aston Neuroscience Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Benjamin J Whalley
- School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Hopkins Life Science Building, Whiteknights, Reading, Berks RG6 6AP, UK; GW Research Ltd, Histon, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard W Tsien
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wong JC. Gaining Awareness of Increasingly Persistent SCN1A Mutations. Epilepsy Curr 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/15357597231157484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
[Box: see text]
Collapse
|
15
|
Structure of human Na V1.6 channel reveals Na + selectivity and pore blockade by 4,9-anhydro-tetrodotoxin. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1030. [PMID: 36823201 PMCID: PMC9950489 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36766-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sodium channel NaV1.6 is widely expressed in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems, which plays a critical role in regulating neuronal excitability. Dysfunction of NaV1.6 has been linked to epileptic encephalopathy, intellectual disability and movement disorders. Here we present cryo-EM structures of human NaV1.6/β1/β2 alone and complexed with a guanidinium neurotoxin 4,9-anhydro-tetrodotoxin (4,9-ah-TTX), revealing molecular mechanism of NaV1.6 inhibition by the blocker. The apo-form structure reveals two potential Na+ binding sites within the selectivity filter, suggesting a possible mechanism for Na+ selectivity and conductance. In the 4,9-ah-TTX bound structure, 4,9-ah-TTX binds to a pocket similar to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) binding site, which occupies the Na+ binding sites and completely blocks the channel. Molecular dynamics simulation results show that subtle conformational differences in the selectivity filter affect the affinity of TTX analogues. Taken together, our results provide important insights into NaV1.6 structure, ion conductance, and inhibition.
Collapse
|
16
|
Del Pozo A, Barker-Haliski M. Cannabidiol reveals a disruptive strategy for 21st century epilepsy drug discovery. Exp Neurol 2023; 360:114288. [PMID: 36471511 PMCID: PMC9789191 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114288] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Over 30 antiseizure medicines (ASMs) have been uncovered in a diversity of preclinical seizure and epilepsy models, with several critical inflection points in the 20th century fundamentally transforming ASM discovery. This commentary aims to review the historical relevance of cannabidiol's (CBD; Epidiolex) approval for epilepsy in the context of other ASMs brought to market. Further, we highlight how CBD's approval may represent an inflection point for 21st century ASM discovery. CBD is one of the main phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa. Unlike its related phytocannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD does not exert any euphorigenic, tolerance, or withdrawal effects at anticonvulsant doses. CBD also possess marked anti-inflammatory effects, offering the tantalizing potential of a new pharmacological approach in epilepsy. For decades, hints of the anticonvulsant profile of CBD had been suggested with a small handful of studies in rodent seizure models, yet difficulties in formulation, compounded by the social and regulatory pressures related to medical use of cannabis plant-derived agents constrained any clinical implementation. Nonetheless, CBD possesses a broad antiseizure profile in preclinical seizure and epilepsy models, but the transformative impact of CBD'-s approval came because of studies in a rodent model of the orphan disease Dravet syndrome (DS). DS is a pediatric developmental epileptic encephalopathy with high mortality, frequent spontaneous recurrent seizures, and marked resistance to conventional ASMs, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine. CBD was approved for DS by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018 after convincing efficacy was established in randomized, placebo-controlled trials in children. Because of the clinical approval of CBD as a novel, cannabis plantderived ASM for DS, CBD has revealed a new strategy in ASM discovery to reignite 21st century therapeutic development for epilepsy. In this commentary, we review the major preclinical and clinical milestones of the late 20th century that made CBD, a compound historically subjected to regulatory restrictions, a key driver of a new discovery strategy for epilepsy in the 21st century.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Del Pozo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States of America
| | - Melissa Barker-Haliski
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.6 plays a crucial role in neuronal firing in the central nervous system (CNS). Aberrant function of Nav1.6 may lead to epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Specific inhibitors of Nav1.6 thus have therapeutic potentials. Here we present the cryo-EM structure of human Nav1.6 in the presence of auxiliary subunits β1 and fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 2B (FHF2B) at an overall resolution of 3.1 Å. The overall structure represents an inactivated state with closed pore domain (PD) and all "up" voltage-sensing domains. A conserved carbohydrate-aromatic interaction involving Trp302 and Asn326, together with the β1 subunit, stabilizes the extracellular loop in repeat I. Apart from regular lipids that are resolved in the EM map, an unprecedented Y-shaped density that belongs to an unidentified molecule binds to the PD, revealing a potential site for developing Nav1.6-specific blockers. Structural mapping of disease-related Nav1.6 mutations provides insights into their pathogenic mechanism.
Collapse
|
18
|
Reddy DS. Therapeutic and clinical foundations of cannabidiol therapy for difficult-to-treat seizures in children and adults with refractory epilepsies. Exp Neurol 2023; 359:114237. [PMID: 36206806 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Novel and effective antiseizure medications are needed to treat refractory and rare forms of epilepsy. Cannabinoids, which are obtained from the cannabis plant, have a long history of medical use, including for neurologic conditions. In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first phytocannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD, Epidiolex), which is now indicated for severe seizures associated with three rare forms of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Compelling evidence supports the efficacy of CBD in experimental models and patients with epilepsy. In randomized clinical trials, highly-purified CBD has demonstrated efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in children and adults with difficult-to-treat seizures. Although the underlying antiseizure mechanisms of CBD in humans have not yet been elucidated, the identification of novel antiseizure targets of CBD preclinically indicates multimodal mechanisms that include non-cannabinoid pathways. In addition to antiseizure effects, CBD possesses strong anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, which might contribute to protective effects in epilepsy and other conditions. This article provides a succinct overview of therapeutic approaches and clinical foundations of CBD, emphasizing the clinical utility of CBD for the treatment of seizures associated with refractory and rare epilepsies. CBD has shown to be a safe and effective antiseizure medicine, demonstrating a broad spectrum of efficacy across multiple seizure types, including those associated with severe epilepsies with childhood onset. Despite such promise, there are many perils with CBD that hampers its widespread use, including limited understanding of pharmacodynamics, limited exposure-response relationship, limited information for seizure freedom with continued use, complex pharmacokinetics with drug interactions, risk of adverse effects, and lack of expert therapeutic guidelines. These scientific issues need to be resolved by further investigations, which would decide the unique role of CBD in the management of refractory epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA; Texas A&M Health Institute of Pharmacology and Neurotherapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, USA; Engineering Medicine, Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Guo QB, Zhan L, Xu HY, Gao ZB, Zheng YM. SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy mutations display a gain-of-function phenotype and divergent sensitivity to antiepileptic drugs. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:3139-3148. [PMID: 35902765 PMCID: PMC9712530 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00955-x] [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: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo missense mutations in SCN8A gene encoding voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.6 are linked to a severe form of early infantile epileptic encephalopathy named early infantile epileptic encephalopathy type13 (EIEE13). The majority of the patients with EIEE13 does not respond favorably to the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in clinic and has a significantly increased risk of death. Although more than 60 EIEE13-associated mutations have been discovered, only few mutations have been functionally analyzed. In this study we investigated the functional influences of mutations N1466T and N1466K, two EIEE13-associated mutations located in the inactivation gate, on sodium channel properties. Sodium currents were recorded from CHO cells expressing the mutant and wide-type (WT) channels using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. We found that, in comparison with WT channels, both the mutant channels exhibited increased window currents, persistent currents (INaP) and ramp currents, suggesting that N1466T and N1466K were gain-of-function (GoF) mutations. Sodium channel inhibition is one common mechanism of currently available AEDs, in which topiramate (TPM) was effective in controlling seizures of patients carrying either of the two mutations. We found that TPM (100 µM) preferentially inhibited INaP and ramp currents but did not affect transient currents (INaT) mediated by N1466T or N1466K. Among the other 6 sodium channel-inhibiting AEDs tested, phenytoin and carbamazepine displayed greater efficacy than TPM in suppressing both INaP and ramp currents. Functional characterization of mutants N1466T and N1466K is beneficial for understanding the pathogenesis of EIEE13. The divergent effects of sodium channel-inhibiting AEDs on INaP and ramp currents provide insight into the development of therapeutic strategies for the N1466T and N1466K-associated EIEE13.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Bei Guo
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li Zhan
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hai-Yan Xu
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhao-Bing Gao
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528437, China.
| | - Yue-Ming Zheng
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hammer MF, Pan Y, Cumbay M, Pendziwiat M, Afawi Z, Goldberg-Stern H, Johnstone L, Helbig I, Cummins TR. Whole exome sequencing and co-expression analysis identify an SCN1A variant that modifies pathogenicity in a family with genetic epilepsy and febrile seizures plus. Epilepsia 2022; 63:1970-1980. [PMID: 35592948 PMCID: PMC10753192 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Family members carrying the same SCN1A variant often exhibit differences in the clinical severity of epilepsy. This variable expressivity suggests that other factors aside from the primary sodium channel variant influence the clinical manifestation. However, identifying such factors has proven challenging in humans. METHODS We perform whole exome sequencing (WES) in a large family in which an SCN1A variant (p.K1372E) is segregating that is associated with a broad spectrum of phenotypes ranging from lack of epilepsy, to febrile seizures and absence seizures, to Dravet syndrome. We assessed the hypothesis that the severity of the SCN1A-related phenotype was affected by alternate alleles at a modifier locus (or loci). RESULTS One of our top candidates identified by WES was a second variant in the SCN1A gene (p.L375S) that was shared exclusively by unaffected carriers of the K1372E allele. To test the hypothesized that L375S variant nullifies the loss-of-function effect of K1372E, we transiently expressed Nav1.1 carrying the two variants in HEK293T cells and compared their biophysical properties with the wild-type (WT) variant, and then co-expressed WT with K1372E or L375S with K1372E in equal quantity and tested the functional consequence. The data demonstrated that co-expression of the L375S and K1372E alleles reversed the loss-of-function property brought by the K1372E variant, whereas WT-K1372E co-expression remained partial loss-of-function. SIGNIFICANCE These results support the hypothesis that L375S counteracts the loss-of-function effect of K1372E such that individuals carrying both alleles in trans do not present epilepsy-related symptoms. We demonstrate that monogenic epilepsies with wide expressivity can be modified by additional variants in the disease gene, providing a novel framework for the gene-phenotype relationship in genetic epilepsies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F. Hammer
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ USA
85716
- University of Arizona Genomics Core (UAGC), University of
Arizona, Tucson AZ USA 85716
| | - Yanling Pan
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University
Indianapolis, Indianapolis IN 46202
| | - Medhane Cumbay
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University -
College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46222
| | - Manuela Pendziwiat
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Medical Center
Schleswig-Holstein Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology,
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Zaid Afawi
- Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the
Negev, Be’er Sheva 8410402, Israel
| | | | - Laurel Johnstone
- University of Arizona Genomics Core (UAGC), University of
Arizona, Tucson AZ USA 85716
| | - Ingo Helbig
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology,
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN),
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi),
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania,
Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA
| | - Theodore R. Cummins
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University
Indianapolis, Indianapolis IN 46202
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zybura AS, Sahoo FK, Hudmon A, Cummins TR. CaMKII Inhibition Attenuates Distinct Gain-of-Function Effects Produced by Mutant Nav1.6 Channels and Reduces Neuronal Excitability. Cells 2022; 11:2108. [PMID: 35805192 PMCID: PMC9266207 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant Nav1.6 activity can induce hyperexcitability associated with epilepsy. Gain-of-function mutations in the SCN8A gene encoding Nav1.6 are linked to epilepsy development; however, the molecular mechanisms mediating these changes are remarkably heterogeneous and may involve post-translational regulation of Nav1.6. Because calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a powerful modulator of Nav1.6 channels, we investigated whether CaMKII modulates disease-linked Nav1.6 mutants. Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings in ND7/23 cells show that CaMKII inhibition of the epilepsy-related mutation R850Q largely recapitulates the effects previously observed for WT Nav1.6. We also characterized a rare missense variant, R639C, located within a regulatory hotspot for CaMKII modulation of Nav1.6. Prediction software algorithms and electrophysiological recordings revealed gain-of-function effects for R639C mutant channel activity, including increased sodium currents and hyperpolarized activation compared to WT Nav1.6. Importantly, the R639C mutation ablates CaMKII phosphorylation at a key regulatory site, T642, and, in contrast to WT and R850Q channels, displays a distinct response to CaMKII inhibition. Computational simulations demonstrate that modeled neurons harboring the R639C or R850Q mutations are hyperexcitable, and simulating the effects of CaMKII inhibition on Nav1.6 activity in modeled neurons differentially reduced hyperexcitability. Acute CaMKII inhibition may represent a promising mechanism to attenuate gain-of-function effects produced by Nav1.6 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes S. Zybura
- Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Firoj K. Sahoo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (F.K.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Andy Hudmon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (F.K.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Theodore R. Cummins
- Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Biology Department, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yuan D, Yang G, Wu W, Li Q, Xu D, Ntim M, Jiang C, Liu J, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhu D, Kundu S, Li A, Xiao Z, Ma Q, Li S. Reducing Nav1.6 expression attenuates the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by suppressing BACE1 transcription. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13593. [PMID: 35353937 PMCID: PMC9124306 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant increases in neuronal network excitability may contribute to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms underlying hyperexcitability of neurons are not fully understood. Voltage‐gated sodium channels (VGSC or Nav), which are involved in the formation of excitable cell's action potential and can directly influence the excitability of neural networks, have been implicated in AD‐related abnormal neuronal hyperactivity and higher incidence of spontaneous non‐convulsive seizures. Here, we have shown that the reduction of VGSC α‐subunit Nav1.6 (by injecting adeno‐associated virus (AAV) with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into the hippocampus) rescues cognitive impairments and attenuates synaptic deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Concurrently, amyloid plaques in the hippocampus and levels of soluble Aβ are significantly reduced. Interfering with Nav1.6 reduces the transcription level of β‐site APP‐cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), which is Aβ‐dependent. In the presence of Aβ oligomers, knockdown of Nav1.6 reduces intracellular calcium overload by suppressing reverse sodium–calcium exchange channel, consequently increasing inactive NFAT1 (the nuclear factor of activated T cells) levels and thus reducing BACE1 transcription. This mechanism leads to a reduction in the levels of Aβ in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, alleviates synaptic loss, improves learning and memory disorders in APP/PS1 mice after downregulating Nav1.6 in the hippocampus. Our study offers a new potential therapeutic strategy to counteract hippocampal hyperexcitability and subsequently rescue cognitive deficits in AD by selective blockade of Nav1.6 overexpression and/or hyperactivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- De‐Juan Yuan
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases Institute of Neuroscience Soochow University Suzhou China
- The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Wuxi China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Qi‐Fa Li
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - De‐en Xu
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases Institute of Neuroscience Soochow University Suzhou China
- The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Wuxi China
| | - Michael Ntim
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Chun‐Yan Jiang
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Ji‐Chuan Liu
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Ying‐Zi Wang
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Dan‐Dan Zhu
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Supratik Kundu
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Ai‐Ping Li
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Zhi‐Cheng Xiao
- Development and Stem Cells Program Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Quan‐Hong Ma
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases Institute of Neuroscience Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Shao Li
- Department of Physiology College of Basic Medical Sciences Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug‐Research and Development (R&D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ortiz YT, McMahon LR, Wilkerson JL. Medicinal Cannabis and Central Nervous System Disorders. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881810. [PMID: 35529444 PMCID: PMC9070567 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids, including those found in cannabis, have shown promise as potential therapeutics for numerous health issues, including pathological pain and diseases that produce an impact on neurological processing and function. Thus, cannabis use for medicinal purposes has become accepted by a growing majority. However, clinical trials yielding satisfactory endpoints and unequivocal proof that medicinal cannabis should be considered a frontline therapeutic for most examined central nervous system indications remains largely elusive. Although cannabis contains over 100 + compounds, most preclinical and clinical research with well-controlled dosing and delivery methods utilize the various formulations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two most abundant compounds in cannabis. These controlled dosing and delivery methods are in stark contrast to most clinical studies using whole plant cannabis products, as few clinical studies using whole plant cannabis profile the exact composition, including percentages of all compounds present within the studied product. This review will examine both preclinical and clinical evidence that supports or refutes the therapeutic utility of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of pathological pain, neurodegeneration, substance use disorders, as well as anxiety-related disorders. We will predominately focus on purified THC and CBD, as well as other compounds isolated from cannabis for the aforementioned reasons but will also include discussion over those studies where whole plant cannabis has been used. In this review we also consider the current challenges associated with the advancement of medicinal cannabis and its derived potential therapeutics into clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuma T. Ortiz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Lance R. McMahon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, United States
| | - Jenny L. Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Jenny L. Wilkerson,
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Cannabinoids, including those found in cannabis, have shown promise as potential therapeutics for numerous health issues, including pathological pain and diseases that produce an impact on neurological processing and function. Thus, cannabis use for medicinal purposes has become accepted by a growing majority. However, clinical trials yielding satisfactory endpoints and unequivocal proof that medicinal cannabis should be considered a frontline therapeutic for most examined central nervous system indications remains largely elusive. Although cannabis contains over 100 + compounds, most preclinical and clinical research with well-controlled dosing and delivery methods utilize the various formulations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two most abundant compounds in cannabis. These controlled dosing and delivery methods are in stark contrast to most clinical studies using whole plant cannabis products, as few clinical studies using whole plant cannabis profile the exact composition, including percentages of all compounds present within the studied product. This review will examine both preclinical and clinical evidence that supports or refutes the therapeutic utility of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of pathological pain, neurodegeneration, substance use disorders, as well as anxiety-related disorders. We will predominately focus on purified THC and CBD, as well as other compounds isolated from cannabis for the aforementioned reasons but will also include discussion over those studies where whole plant cannabis has been used. In this review we also consider the current challenges associated with the advancement of medicinal cannabis and its derived potential therapeutics into clinical applications.
Collapse
|
25
|
Xiao Y, Theile JW, Zybura A, Pan Y, Lin Z, Cummins TR. A-type FHFs mediate resurgent currents through TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium channels. eLife 2022; 11:77558. [PMID: 35441593 PMCID: PMC9071269 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Resurgent currents (INaR) produced by voltage-gated sodium channels are required for many neurons to maintain high-frequency firing, and contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability and disease pathophysiology. Here we show, for the first time, that INaR can be reconstituted in a heterologous system by co-expression of sodium channel α-subunits and A-type fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs). Specifically, A-type FHFs induces INaR from Nav1.8, Nav1.9 tetrodotoxin-resistant neuronal channels and, to a lesser extent, neuronal Nav1.7 and cardiac Nav1.5 channels. Moreover, we identified the N-terminus of FHF as the critical molecule responsible for A-type FHFs-mediated INaR. Among the FHFs, FHF4A is the most important isoform for mediating Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 INaR. In nociceptive sensory neurons, FHF4A knockdown significantly reduces INaR amplitude and the percentage of neurons that generate INaR, substantially suppressing excitability. Thus, our work reveals a novel molecular mechanism underlying TTX-resistant INaR generation and provides important potential targets for pain treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Xiao
- Biology Department, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States
| | | | - Agnes Zybura
- Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yanling Pan
- Biology Department, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States
| | | | - Theodore R Cummins
- Biology Department, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fouda MA, Ghovanloo MR, Ruben PC. Late sodium current: incomplete inactivation triggers seizures, myotonias, arrhythmias, and pain syndromes. J Physiol 2022; 600:2835-2851. [PMID: 35436004 DOI: 10.1113/jp282768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired and inherited dysfunction in voltage-gated sodium channels underlies a wide range of diseases. "In addition to the defects in trafficking and expression, sodium channelopathies are also caused by dysfunction in one or several gating properties, for instance activation or inactivation. Disruption of the channel inactivation leads to the increased late sodium current, which is a common defect in seizure disorders, cardiac arrhythmias skeletal muscle myotonia and pain. An increase in late sodium current leads to repetitive action potential in neurons and skeletal muscles, and prolonged action potential duration in the heart. In this topical review, we compare the effects of late sodium current in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and peripheral nerves. Abstract figure legend Shows cartoon illustration of general Nav channel transitions between (1) resting, (2) open, and (3) fast inactivated states. Disruption of the inactivation process exacerbates (4) late sodium currents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Fouda
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Peter C Ruben
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang HXB, Heckman L, Niday Z, Jo S, Fujita A, Shim J, Pandey R, Al Jandal H, Jayakar S, Barrett LB, Smith J, Woolf CJ, Bean BP. Cannabidiol activates neuronal Kv7 channels. eLife 2022; 11:73246. [PMID: 35179483 PMCID: PMC8856652 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical found in the Cannabis sativa plant, is a clinically effective antiepileptic drug whose mechanism of action is unknown. Using a fluorescence-based thallium flux assay, we performed a large-scale screen and found enhancement of flux through heterologously expressed human Kv7.2/7.3 channels by CBD. Patch-clamp recordings showed that CBD acts at submicromolar concentrations to shift the voltage dependence of Kv7.2/7.3 channels in the hyperpolarizing direction, producing a dramatic enhancement of current at voltages near –50 mV. CBD enhanced native M-current in mouse superior cervical ganglion starting at concentrations of 30 nM and also enhanced M-current in rat hippocampal neurons. The potent enhancement of Kv2/7.3 channels by CBD may contribute to its effectiveness as an antiepileptic drug by reducing neuronal hyperexcitability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurel Heckman
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Zachary Niday
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Sooyeon Jo
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Akie Fujita
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Jaehoon Shim
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Roshan Pandey
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Hoor Al Jandal
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Selwyn Jayakar
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Lee B Barrett
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Jennifer Smith
- ICCB-Longwood Screening Facility and Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Bruce P Bean
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Shapiro L, Escayg A, Wong JC. Cannabidiol Increases Seizure Resistance and Improves Behavior in an Scn8a Mouse Model. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:815950. [PMID: 35153788 PMCID: PMC8826257 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.815950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channel genes are an important family of human epilepsy genes. De novo missense mutations in SCN8A (encoding Nav1.6) are associated with a spectrum of clinical presentation, including multiple seizure types, movement disorders, intellectual disability, and behavioral abnormalities such as autism. Patients with SCN8A mutations are often treated with multiple antiepileptic drugs, the most common being sodium channel blockers. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been included as a component of treatment regimens for some SCN8A patients; however, to date, there are no clinical trials that have evaluated the therapeutic potential of CBD in patients with SCN8A mutations. In the current manuscript, we demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in seizure resistance following CBD treatment in mice expressing the human SCN8A mutation R1620L (RL/+). We also found that CBD treatment improved social behavior and reduced hyperactivity in the RL/+ mutants. Our findings suggest that CBD may be beneficial in patients with SCN8A-associated disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Shapiro
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Andrew Escayg
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer C Wong
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bruno A, Dolcetti E, Centonze D. Theoretical and Therapeutic Implications of the Spasticity-Plus Syndrome Model in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2022; 12:802918. [PMID: 35197915 PMCID: PMC8859110 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.802918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a typical pattern of muscle tone alteration, known as spasticity, is frequently observed in combination with other signs or symptoms such as spasms, cramps, pain, bladder dysfunction, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and tremor. Recently, the concept of spasticity-plus syndrome (SPS) has been proposed to take into account the frequent coexistence of all these complaints in patients with MS and a common pathophysiological basis for this putative new clinical entity has been proposed. Muscle tone, sleep, bladder function, and the pain pathway are controlled by cannabinoid CB1 (CB1R) and CB2 receptors (CB2R) that are particularly enriched in the brainstem. Axons with smaller diameters are particularly susceptible to conduction block and the irritative, ephaptic, consequences of demyelination and their involvement in the demyelination process caused by MS in the brainstem might underlie the various clinical manifestations of SPS. The adoption of SPS in clinical practice could be useful to improve symptomatic treatments in a significant proportion of patients with MS, possibly limiting the adverse events produced by polypharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Bruno
- Synaptic Immunopathology Lab, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, Unit of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Ettore Dolcetti
- Synaptic Immunopathology Lab, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, Unit of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- Synaptic Immunopathology Lab, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, Unit of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- *Correspondence: Diego Centonze
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Sugaya Y, Kano M. Endocannabinoid-Mediated Control of Neural Circuit Excitability and Epileptic Seizures. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:781113. [PMID: 35046779 PMCID: PMC8762319 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.781113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on endocannabinoid signaling has greatly advanced our understanding of how the excitability of neural circuits is controlled in health and disease. In general, endocannabinoid signaling at excitatory synapses suppresses excitability by inhibiting glutamate release, while that at inhibitory synapses promotes excitability by inhibiting GABA release, although there are some exceptions in genetically epileptic animal models. In the epileptic brain, the physiological distributions of endocannabinoid signaling molecules are disrupted during epileptogenesis, contributing to the occurrence of spontaneous seizures. However, it is still unknown how endocannabinoid signaling changes during seizures and how the redistribution of endocannabinoid signaling molecules proceeds during epileptogenesis. Recent development of cannabinoid sensors has enabled us to investigate endocannabinoid signaling in much greater spatial and temporal details than before. Application of cannabinoid sensors to epilepsy research has elucidated activity-dependent changes in endocannabinoid signaling during seizures. Furthermore, recent endocannabinoid research has paved the way for the clinical use of cannabidiol for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex. Cannabidiol significantly reduces seizures and is considered to have comparable tolerability to conventional antiepileptic drugs. In this article, we introduce recent advances in research on the roles of endocannabinoid signaling in epileptic seizures and discuss future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Sugaya
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Masanobu Kano,
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Piccialli I, Ciccone R, Secondo A, Boscia F, Tedeschi V, de Rosa V, Cepparulo P, Annunziato L, Pannaccione A. The Na +/Ca 2+ Exchanger 3 Is Functionally Coupled With the Na V1.6 Voltage-Gated Channel and Promotes an Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca 2+ Refilling in a Transgenic Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:775271. [PMID: 34955845 PMCID: PMC8692738 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The remodelling of neuronal ionic homeostasis by altered channels and transporters is a critical feature of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Different reports converge on the concept that the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX), as one of the main regulators of Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations and signalling, could exert a neuroprotective role in AD. The activity of NCX has been found to be increased in AD brains, where it seemed to correlate with an increased neuronal survival. Moreover, the enhancement of the NCX3 currents (INCX) in primary neurons treated with the neurotoxic amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomers prevented the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and neuronal death. The present study has been designed to investigate any possible modulation of the INCX, the functional interaction between NCX and the NaV1.6 channel, and their impact on the Ca2+ homeostasis in a transgenic in vitro model of AD, the primary hippocampal neurons from the Tg2576 mouse, which overproduce the Aβ1-42 peptide. Electrophysiological studies, carried in the presence of siRNA and the isoform-selective NCX inhibitor KB-R7943, showed that the activity of a specific NCX isoform, NCX3, was upregulated in its reverse, Ca2+ influx mode of operation in the Tg2576 neurons. The enhanced NCX activity contributed, in turn, to increase the ER Ca2+ content, without affecting the cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations of the Tg2576 neurons. Interestingly, our experiments have also uncovered a functional coupling between NCX3 and the voltage-gated NaV1.6 channels. In particular, the increased NaV1.6 currents appeared to be responsible for the upregulation of the reverse mode of NCX3, since both TTX and the Streptomyces griseolus antibiotic anisomycin, by reducing the NaV1.6 currents, counteracted the increase of the INCX in the Tg2576 neurons. In agreement, our immunofluorescence analyses revealed that the NCX3/NaV1.6 co-expression was increased in the Tg2576 hippocampal neurons in comparison with the WT neurons. Collectively, these findings indicate that NCX3 might intervene in the Ca2+ remodelling occurring in the Tg2576 primary neurons thus emerging as a molecular target with a neuroprotective potential, and provide a new outcome of the NaV1.6 upregulation related to the modulation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in AD neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Piccialli
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roselia Ciccone
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Agnese Secondo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Boscia
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Tedeschi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria de Rosa
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Cepparulo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anna Pannaccione
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Xu C, Zhang Y, Gozal D, Carney P. Channelopathy of Dravet Syndrome and Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Cannabidiol. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2021; 13:11795735211048045. [PMID: 34992485 PMCID: PMC8724990 DOI: 10.1177/11795735211048045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a channelopathy, neurodevelopmental, epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizures, developmental delay, and cognitive impairment that includes susceptibility to thermally induced seizures, spontaneous seizures, ataxia, circadian rhythm and sleep disorders, autistic-like behaviors, and premature death. More than 80% of DS cases are linked to mutations in genes which encode voltage-gated sodium channel subunits, SCN1A and SCN1B, which encode the Nav1.1α subunit and Nav1.1β1 subunit, respectively. There are other gene mutations encoding potassium, calcium, and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels related to DS. One-third of patients have pharmacoresistance epilepsy. DS is unresponsive to standard therapy. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid present in Cannabis, has been introduced for treating DS because of its anticonvulsant properties in animal models and humans, especially in pharmacoresistant patients. However, the etiological channelopathiological mechanism of DS and action mechanism of CBD on the channels are unclear. In this review, we summarize evidence of the direct and indirect action mechanism of sodium, potassium, calcium, and HCN channels in DS, especially sodium subunits. Some channels' loss-of-function or gain-of-function in inhibitory or excitatory neurons determine the balance of excitatory and inhibitory are associated with DS. A great variety of mechanisms of CBD anticonvulsant effects are focused on modulating these channels, especially sodium, calcium, and potassium channels, which will shed light on ionic channelopathy of DS and the precise molecular treatment of DS in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Xu
- Department of Child Health and the Child Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Yumin Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics; Department of Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Gozal
- Department of Child Health and the Child Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Paul Carney
- Departments of Child Health and Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lin YF. Potassium channels as molecular targets of endocannabinoids. Channels (Austin) 2021; 15:408-423. [PMID: 34282702 PMCID: PMC8293965 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2021.1910461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are a group of endogenous mediators derived from membrane lipids, which are implicated in a wide variety of physiological functions such as blood pressure regulation, immunity, pain, memory, reward, perception, reproduction, and sleep. N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) represent two major endocannabinoids in the human body and they exert many of their cellular and organ system effects by activating the Gi/o protein-coupled, cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) receptors. However, not all effects of cannabinoids are ascribable to their interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors; indeed, macromolecules like other types of receptors, ion channels, transcription factors, enzymes, transporters, and cellular structure have been suggested to mediate the functional effects of cannabinoids. Among the proposed molecular targets of endocannabinoids, potassium channels constitute an intriguing group, because these channels not only are crucial in shaping action potentials and controlling the membrane potential and cell excitability, thereby regulating a wide array of physiological processes, but also serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer and metabolic, neurological and cardiovascular disorders. This review sought to survey evidence pertaining to the CB1 and CB2 receptor-independent actions of endocannabinoids on ion channels, with an emphasis on AEA and potassium channels. To better understand the functional roles as well as potential medicinal uses of cannabinoids in human health and disease, further mechanistic studies to delineate interactions between various types of cannabinoids and ion channels, including members in the potassium channel superfamily, are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Fung Lin
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Somatostatin-Positive Interneurons Contribute to Seizures in SCN8A Epileptic Encephalopathy. J Neurosci 2021; 41:9257-9273. [PMID: 34544834 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0718-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy is a devastating epilepsy syndrome caused by mutant SCN8A, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.6. To date, it is unclear if and how inhibitory interneurons, which express NaV1.6, influence disease pathology. Using both sexes of a transgenic mouse model of SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy, we found that selective expression of the R1872W SCN8A mutation in somatostatin (SST) interneurons was sufficient to convey susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments revealed that SST interneurons from mutant mice were hyperexcitable but hypersensitive to action potential failure via depolarization block under normal and seizure-like conditions. Remarkably, GqDREADD-mediated activation of WT SST interneurons resulted in prolonged electrographic seizures and was accompanied by SST hyperexcitability and depolarization block. Aberrantly large persistent sodium currents, a hallmark of SCN8A mutations, were observed and were found to contribute directly to aberrant SST physiology in computational modeling and pharmacological experiments. These novel findings demonstrate a critical and previously unidentified contribution of SST interneurons to seizure generation not only in SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy, but epilepsy in general.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy is a devastating neurological disorder that results from de novo mutations in the sodium channel isoform Nav1.6. Inhibitory neurons express NaV1.6, yet their contribution to seizure generation in SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy has not been determined. We show that mice expressing a human-derived SCN8A variant (R1872W) selectively in somatostatin (SST) interneurons have audiogenic seizures. Physiological recordings from SST interneurons show that SCN8A mutations lead to an elevated persistent sodium current which drives initial hyperexcitability, followed by premature action potential failure because of depolarization block. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation of WT SST interneurons leads to audiogenic seizure activity. These findings provide new insight into the importance of SST inhibitory interneurons in seizure initiation, not only in SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy, but for epilepsy broadly.
Collapse
|
35
|
Cannabidiol Selectively Binds to the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Na v1.4 in Its Slow-Inactivated State and Inhibits Sodium Current. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091141. [PMID: 34572327 PMCID: PMC8465134 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, can relieve the myotonia resulting from sodium channelopathy, which manifests as repetitive discharges of muscle membrane. We investigated the binding kinetics of CBD to Nav1.4 channels on the muscle membrane. The binding affinity of CBD to the channel was evaluated using whole-cell recording. The CDOCKER program was employed to model CBD docking onto the Nav1.4 channel to determine its binding sites. Our results revealed no differential inhibition of sodium current by CBD when the channels were in activation or fast inactivation status. However, differential inhibition was observed with a dose-dependent manner after a prolonged period of depolarization, leaving the channel in a slow-inactivated state. Moreover, CBD binds selectively to the slow-inactivated state with a significantly faster binding kinetics (>64,000 M−1 s−1) and a higher affinity (Kd of fast inactivation vs. slow-inactivation: >117.42 μM vs. 51.48 μM), compared to the fast inactivation state. Five proposed CBD binding sites in a bundle crossing region of the Nav1.4 channels pore was identified as Val793, Leu794, Phe797, and Cys759 in domain I/S6, and Ile1279 in domain II/S6. Our findings imply that CBD favorably binds to the Nav1.4 channel in its slow-inactivated state.
Collapse
|
36
|
Cheng S, Wang HN, Xu LJ, Li F, Miao Y, Lei B, Sun X, Wang Z. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced hyperexcitability contributes to retinal ganglion cell apoptosis by enhancing Nav1.6 in experimental glaucoma. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:182. [PMID: 34419081 PMCID: PMC8380326 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02236-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine released from activated retinal glial cells in glaucoma. Here, we investigated how TNF-α induces retinal ganglion cell (RGC) hyperexcitability and injury. METHODS Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were performed to explore changes in spontaneous firing and evoked action potentials, and Na+ currents in RGCs. Both intravitreal injection of TNF-α and chronic ocular hypertension (COH) models were used. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) techniques were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of TNF-α effects on RGCs. RESULTS Intravitreal injection of soluble TNF-α significantly increased the spontaneous firing frequencies of RGCs in retinal slices. When the synaptic transmissions were blocked, more than 90% of RGCs still showed spontaneous firing; both the percentage of cells and firing frequency were higher than the controls. Furthermore, the frequency of evoked action potentials was also higher than the controls. Co-injection of the TNF-α receptor 1 (TNFR1) inhibitor R7050 eliminated the TNF-α-induced effects, suggesting that TNF-α may directly act on RGCs to induce cell hyperexcitability through activating TNFR1. In RGCs acutely isolated from TNF-α-injected retinas, Na+ current densities were upregulated. Perfusing TNF-α in RGCs of normal rats mimicked this effect, and the activation curve of Na+ currents shifted toward hyperpolarization direction, which was mediated through p38 MAPK and STAT3 signaling pathways. Further analysis revealed that TNF-α selectively upregulated Nav1.6 subtype of Na+ currents in RGCs. Similar to observations in retinas of rats with COH, intravitreal injection of TNF-α upregulated the expression of Nav1.6 proteins in both total cell and membrane components, which was reversed by the NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082. Inhibition of TNFR1 blocked TNF-α-induced RGC apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling induces RGC hyperexcitability by selectively upregulating Nav1.6 Na+ channels, thus contributing to RGC apoptosis in glaucoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hong-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lin-Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanying Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Lei
- Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xinghuai Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology at Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Zhongfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Asth L, Iglesias LP, De Oliveira AC, Moraes MFD, Moreira FA. Exploiting cannabinoid and vanilloid mechanisms for epilepsy treatment. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:106832. [PMID: 31839498 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the possible roles of phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and "transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1" (TRPV1) channel blockers in epilepsy treatment. The phytocannabinoids are compounds produced by the herb Cannabis sativa, from which Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the main active compound. The therapeutic applications of Δ9-THC are limited, whereas cannabidiol (CBD), another phytocannabinoid, induces antiepileptic effects in experimental animals and in patients with refractory epilepsies. Synthetic CB1 agonists induce mixed effects, which hamper their therapeutic applications. A more promising strategy focuses on compounds that increase the brain levels of anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced on-demand to counteract hyperexcitability. Thus, anandamide hydrolysis inhibitors might represent a future class of antiepileptic drugs. Finally, compounds that block the TRPV1 ("vanilloid") channel, a possible anandamide target in the brain, have also been investigated. In conclusion, the therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids (CBD) is already in practice, although its mechanisms of action remain unclear. Endocannabinoid and TRPV1 mechanisms warrant further basic studies to support their potential clinical applications. This article is part of the Special Issue "NEWroscience 2018".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laila Asth
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lia P Iglesias
- Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antônio C De Oliveira
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcio F D Moraes
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabrício A Moreira
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Zybura A, Hudmon A, Cummins TR. Distinctive Properties and Powerful Neuromodulation of Na v1.6 Sodium Channels Regulates Neuronal Excitability. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071595. [PMID: 34202119 PMCID: PMC8307729 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) are critical determinants of cellular excitability. These ion channels exist as large heteromultimeric structures and their activity is tightly controlled. In neurons, the isoform Nav1.6 is highly enriched at the axon initial segment and nodes, making it critical for the initiation and propagation of neuronal impulses. Changes in Nav1.6 expression and function profoundly impact the input-output properties of neurons in normal and pathological conditions. While mutations in Nav1.6 may cause channel dysfunction, aberrant changes may also be the result of complex modes of regulation, including various protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications, which can alter membrane excitability and neuronal firing properties. Despite decades of research, the complexities of Nav1.6 modulation in health and disease are still being determined. While some modulatory mechanisms have similar effects on other Nav isoforms, others are isoform-specific. Additionally, considerable progress has been made toward understanding how individual protein interactions and/or modifications affect Nav1.6 function. However, there is still more to be learned about how these different modes of modulation interact. Here, we examine the role of Nav1.6 in neuronal function and provide a thorough review of this channel’s complex regulatory mechanisms and how they may contribute to neuromodulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Zybura
- Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Biology Department, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Andy Hudmon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
| | - Theodore R. Cummins
- Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Biology Department, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Cannabidiol Inhibition of Murine Primary Nociceptors: Tight Binding to Slow Inactivated States of Na v1.8 Channels. J Neurosci 2021; 41:6371-6387. [PMID: 34131037 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3216-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to have analgesic effects in animal studies but little is known about its mechanism of action. We examined the effects of CBD on intrinsic excitability of primary pain-sensing neurons. Studying acutely dissociated capsaicin-sensitive mouse DRG neurons at 37°C, we found that CBD effectively inhibited repetitive action potential firing, from 15-20 action potentials evoked by 1 s current injections in control to 1-3 action potentials with 2 μm CBD. Reduction of repetitive firing was accompanied by a reduction of action potential height, widening of action potentials, reduction of the afterhyperpolarization, and increased propensity to enter depolarization block. Voltage-clamp experiments showed that CBD inhibited both TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant (TTX-R) sodium currents in a use-dependent manner. CBD showed strong state-dependent inhibition of TTX-R channels, with fast binding to inactivated channels during depolarizations and slow unbinding on repolarization. CBD alteration of channel availability at various voltages suggested that CBD binds especially tightly [K d (dissociation constant), ∼150 nm] to the slow inactivated state of TTX-R channels, which can be substantially occupied at voltages as negative as -40 mV. Remarkably, CBD was more potent in inhibiting TTX-R channels and inhibiting action potential firing than the local anesthetic bupivacaine. We conclude that CBD might produce some of its analgesic effects by direct effects on neuronal excitability, with tight binding to the slow inactivated state of Nav1.8 channels contributing to effective inhibition of repetitive firing by modest depolarizations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to inhibit pain in various rodent models, but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. We describe the ability of CBD to inhibit repetitive action potential firing in primary nociceptive neurons from mouse dorsal root ganglia and analyze the effects on voltage-dependent sodium channels. We find that CBD interacts with TTX-resistant sodium channels in a state-dependent manner suggesting particularly tight binding to slow inactivated states of Nav1.8 channels, which dominate the overall inactivation of Nav1.8 channels for small maintained depolarizations from the resting potential. The results suggest that CBD can exert analgesic effects in part by directly inhibiting repetitive firing of primary nociceptors and suggest a strategy of identifying compounds that bind selectively to slow inactivated states of Nav1.8 channels for developing effective analgesics.
Collapse
|
40
|
Yu W, Smolen CE, Hill SF, Meisler MH. Spontaneous seizures and elevated seizure susceptibility in response to somatic mutation of sodium channel Scn8a in the mouse. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:902-907. [PMID: 33822038 PMCID: PMC8165645 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
De novo mutations of neuronal sodium channels are responsible for ~5% of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, but the role of somatic mutation of these genes in adult-onset epilepsy is not known. We evaluated the role of post-zygotic somatic mutation by adult activation of a conditional allele of the pathogenic variant Scn8aR1872W in the mouse. After activation of CAG-Cre-ER by tamoxifen, the mutant transcript was expressed throughout the brain at a level proportional to tamoxifen dose. The threshold for generation of spontaneous seizures was reached when the proportion of mutant transcript reached 8% of total Scn8a transcript, equivalent to expression of the epileptogenic variant in 16% of heterozygous neurons. Expression below this level did not result in spontaneous seizures, but did increase susceptibility to seizure induction by kainate or auditory stimulation. The relatively high threshold for spontaneous seizures indicates that somatic mutation of sodium channels is unlikely to contribute to the elevated incidence of epilepsy in the elderly population. However, somatic mutation could increase susceptibility to other seizure stimuli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Yu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Corrine E Smolen
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Sophie F Hill
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Miriam H Meisler
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ghovanloo MR, Ruben PC. Cannabidiol and Sodium Channel Pharmacology: General Overview, Mechanism, and Clinical Implications. Neuroscientist 2021; 28:318-334. [PMID: 34027742 PMCID: PMC9344566 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211017009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels initiate action potentials in excitable tissues. Altering these channels' function can lead to many pathophysiological conditions. Nav channels are composed of several functional and structural domains that could be targeted pharmacologically as potential therapeutic means against various neurological conditions. Mutations in Nav channels have been suggested to underlie various clinical syndromes in different tissues and in association with conditions ranging from epileptic to muscular problems. Treating those mutations that increase the excitability of Nav channels requires inhibitors that could effectively reduce channel firing. The main non-psychotropic constituent of the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD), has recently gained interest as a viable compound to treat some of the conditions that are associated with Nav malfunctions. In this review, we discuss an overview of Nav channels followed by an in-depth description of the interactions of CBD and Nav channels. We conclude with some clinical implications of CBD use against Nav hyperexcitability based on a series of preclinical studies published to date, with a focus on Nav/CBD interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
- Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter C Ruben
- Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ghovanloo MR, Choudhury K, Bandaru TS, Fouda MA, Rayani K, Rusinova R, Phaterpekar T, Nelkenbrecher K, Watkins AR, Poburko D, Thewalt J, Andersen OS, Delemotte L, Goodchild SJ, Ruben PC. Cannabidiol inhibits the skeletal muscle Nav1.4 by blocking its pore and by altering membrane elasticity. J Gen Physiol 2021; 153:211970. [PMID: 33836525 PMCID: PMC8042605 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary nonpsychotropic phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa, which has been proposed to be therapeutic against many conditions, including muscle spasms. Among its putative targets are voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs), which have been implicated in many conditions. We investigated the effects of CBD on Nav1.4, the skeletal muscle Nav subtype. We explored direct effects, involving physical block of the Nav pore, as well as indirect effects, involving modulation of membrane elasticity that contributes to Nav inhibition. MD simulations revealed CBD's localization inside the membrane and effects on bilayer properties. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) confirmed these results, showing CBD localizing below membrane headgroups. To determine the functional implications of these findings, we used a gramicidin-based fluorescence assay to show that CBD alters membrane elasticity or thickness, which could alter Nav function through bilayer-mediated regulation. Site-directed mutagenesis in the vicinity of the Nav1.4 pore revealed that removing the local anesthetic binding site with F1586A reduces the block of INa by CBD. Altering the fenestrations in the bilayer-spanning domain with Nav1.4-WWWW blocked CBD access from the membrane into the Nav1.4 pore (as judged by MD). The stabilization of inactivation, however, persisted in WWWW, which we ascribe to CBD-induced changes in membrane elasticity. To investigate the potential therapeutic value of CBD against Nav1.4 channelopathies, we used a pathogenic Nav1.4 variant, P1158S, which causes myotonia and periodic paralysis. CBD reduces excitability in both wild-type and the P1158S variant. Our in vitro and in silico results suggest that CBD may have therapeutic value against Nav1.4 hyperexcitability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Koushik Choudhury
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Tagore S Bandaru
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mohamed A Fouda
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Kaveh Rayani
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Radda Rusinova
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Tejas Phaterpekar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry/Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Nelkenbrecher
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Abeline R Watkins
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Damon Poburko
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Jenifer Thewalt
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry/Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Olaf S Andersen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Lucie Delemotte
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Samuel J Goodchild
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Peter C Ruben
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mantegazza M, Cestèle S, Catterall WA. Sodium channelopathies of skeletal muscle and brain. Physiol Rev 2021; 101:1633-1689. [PMID: 33769100 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00025.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels initiate action potentials in nerve, skeletal muscle, and other electrically excitable cells. Mutations in them cause a wide range of diseases. These channelopathy mutations affect every aspect of sodium channel function, including voltage sensing, voltage-dependent activation, ion conductance, fast and slow inactivation, and both biosynthesis and assembly. Mutations that cause different forms of periodic paralysis in skeletal muscle were discovered first and have provided a template for understanding structure, function, and pathophysiology at the molecular level. More recent work has revealed multiple sodium channelopathies in the brain. Here we review the well-characterized genetics and pathophysiology of the periodic paralyses of skeletal muscle and then use this information as a foundation for advancing our understanding of mutations in the structurally homologous α-subunits of brain sodium channels that cause epilepsy, migraine, autism, and related comorbidities. We include studies based on molecular and structural biology, cell biology and physiology, pharmacology, and mouse genetics. Our review reveals unexpected connections among these different types of sodium channelopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Mantegazza
- Université Cote d'Azur, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France.,CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France.,INSERM, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Sandrine Cestèle
- Université Cote d'Azur, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France.,CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Prakash C, Mishra M, Kumar P, Kumar V, Sharma D. Response of Voltage-Gated Sodium and Calcium Channels Subtypes on Dehydroepiandrosterone Treatment in Iron-Induced Epilepsy. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:279-292. [PMID: 32318899 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00851-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by the occurrence of spontaneous and recurrent seizures. In post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), the mechanism of epileptogenesis is very complex and seems to be linked with voltage-gated ion channels. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a neurosteroid have shown beneficial effect against various neurological disorders. We investigated antiepileptic effect of DHEA with respect to expression of voltage-gated ion channels subtypes in iron-induced epilepsy. Iron (FeCl3) solution was intracartically injected to induce epilepsy in rats and DHEA was intraperitoneally administered for 21 days. Results showed markedly increased epileptiform seizures activity along with up-regulation of Nav1.1 and Nav1.6, and down-regulation of Cav2.1α at the mRNA and protein level in the cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats. Moreover, the study demonstrated that these channels subtypes were predominantly expressed in the neurons. DHEA treatment has countered the epileptic seizures, down-regulated Nav1.1 and Nav1.6, and up-regulated Cav2.1α without affecting their cellular localization. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates antiepileptic potential of DHEA, escorted by regulation of Nav1.1, Nav1.6, and Cav2.1α subtypes in the neurons of iron-induced epileptic rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Prakash
- Neurobiology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Monika Mishra
- Neurobiology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Pavan Kumar
- Department of Developmental Neurogenetics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Neurobiology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Neurobiology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
The voltage-gated sodium channel α-subunit genes comprise a highly conserved gene family. Mutations of three of these genes, SCN1A, SCN2A and SCN8A, are responsible for a significant burden of neurological disease. Recent progress in identification and functional characterization of patient variants is generating new insights and novel approaches to therapy for these devastating disorders. Here we review the basic elements of sodium channel function that are used to characterize patient variants. We summarize a large body of work using global and conditional mouse mutants to characterize the in vivo roles of these channels. We provide an overview of the neurological disorders associated with mutations of the human genes and examples of the effects of patient mutations on channel function. Finally, we highlight therapeutic interventions that are emerging from new insights into mechanisms of sodium channelopathies.
Collapse
|
46
|
Tidball AM, Lopez-Santiago LF, Yuan Y, Glenn TW, Margolis JL, Clayton Walker J, Kilbane EG, Miller CA, Martina Bebin E, Scott Perry M, Isom LL, Parent JM. Variant-specific changes in persistent or resurgent sodium current in SCN8A-related epilepsy patient-derived neurons. Brain 2021; 143:3025-3040. [PMID: 32968789 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense variants in the SCN8A voltage-gated sodium channel gene are linked to early-infantile epileptic encephalopathy type 13, also known as SCN8A-related epilepsy. These patients exhibit a wide spectrum of intractable seizure types, severe developmental delay, movement disorders, and elevated risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The mechanisms by which SCN8A variants lead to epilepsy are poorly understood, although heterologous expression systems and mouse models have demonstrated altered sodium current properties. To investigate these mechanisms using a patient-specific model, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells from three patients with missense variants in SCN8A: p.R1872>L (Patient 1); p.V1592>L (Patient 2); and p.N1759>S (Patient 3). Using small molecule differentiation into excitatory neurons, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from all three patients displayed altered sodium currents. Patients 1 and 2 had elevated persistent current, while Patient 3 had increased resurgent current compared to controls. Neurons from all three patients displayed shorter axon initial segment lengths compared to controls. Further analyses focused on one of the patients with increased persistent sodium current (Patient 1) and the patient with increased resurgent current (Patient 3). Excitatory cortical neurons from both patients had prolonged action potential repolarization. Using doxycycline-inducible expression of the neuronal transcription factors neurogenin 1 and 2 to synchronize differentiation of induced excitatory cortical-like neurons, we investigated network activity and response to pharmacotherapies. Both small molecule differentiated and induced patient neurons displayed similar abnormalities in action potential repolarization. Patient induced neurons showed increased burstiness that was sensitive to phenytoin, currently a standard treatment for SCN8A-related epilepsy patients, or riluzole, an FDA-approved drug used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and known to block persistent and resurgent sodium currents, at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. Patch-clamp recordings showed that riluzole suppressed spontaneous firing and increased the action potential firing threshold of patient-derived neurons to more depolarized potentials. Two of the patients in this study were prescribed riluzole off-label. Patient 1 had a 50% reduction in seizure frequency. Patient 3 experienced an immediate and dramatic seizure reduction with months of seizure freedom. An additional patient with a SCN8A variant in domain IV of Nav1.6 (p.V1757>I) had a dramatic reduction in seizure frequency for several months after starting riluzole treatment, but then seizures recurred. Our results indicate that patient-specific neurons are useful for modelling SCN8A-related epilepsy and demonstrate SCN8A variant-specific mechanisms. Moreover, these findings suggest that patient-specific neuronal disease modelling offers a useful platform for discovering precision epilepsy therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Yukun Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Trevor W Glenn
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - J Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emma G Kilbane
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - E Martina Bebin
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - M Scott Perry
- Cook Children's Health Care System, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Lori L Isom
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jack M Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Anderson LL, Ametovski A, Lin Luo J, Everett-Morgan D, McGregor IS, Banister SD, Arnold JC. Cannabichromene, Related Phytocannabinoids, and 5-Fluoro-cannabichromene Have Anticonvulsant Properties in a Mouse Model of Dravet Syndrome. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:330-339. [PMID: 33395525 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis-based products are increasingly being used to treat refractory childhood epilepsies such as Dravet syndrome. Cannabis contains at least 140 terpenophenolic compounds known as phytocannabinoids. These include the known anticonvulsant compound cannabidiol (CBD) and several molecules showing emergent anticonvulsant properties in animal models. Cannabichromene (CBC) is a phytocannabinoid frequently detected in artisanal cannabis oils used in the community by childhood epilepsy patients. Here we examined the brain and plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of CBC, cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), and cannabichromevarinic acid (CBCVA) following intraperitoneal administration in mice. The anticonvulsant potential of each was then tested against hyperthermia-induced seizures in the Scn1a+/- mouse model of Dravet syndrome. All phytocannabinoids within the CBC series were readily absorbed and showed substantial brain penetration (brain-plasma ratios ranging from 0.2 to 5.8). Anticonvulsant efficacy was evident with CBC, CBCA, and CBCVA, each significantly increasing the temperature threshold at which Scn1a+/- mice had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. We synthesized a fluorinated derivative of CBC (5-fluoro-CBC), which showed improved brain penetration relative to the parent CBC molecule but not any greater anticonvulsant effect. Since CBC and derivatives are anticonvulsant in a model of intractable pediatric epilepsy, they may constitute part of the mechanism through which artisanal cannabis oils are anticonvulsant in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey L. Anderson
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Adam Ametovski
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Jia Lin Luo
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Declan Everett-Morgan
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Iain S. McGregor
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Samuel D. Banister
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Jonathon C. Arnold
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
DeKeyser JM, Thompson CH, George AL. Cryptic prokaryotic promoters explain instability of recombinant neuronal sodium channels in bacteria. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100298. [PMID: 33460646 PMCID: PMC7948969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in genes encoding the human-brain-expressed voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels NaV1.1, NaV1.2, and NaV1.6 are associated with a variety of human diseases including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, familial migraine, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. A major obstacle hindering investigations of the functional consequences of brain NaV channel mutations is an unexplained instability of the corresponding recombinant complementary DNA (cDNA) when propagated in commonly used bacterial strains manifested by high spontaneous rates of mutation. Here, using a combination of in silico analysis, random and site-directed mutagenesis, we investigated the cause for instability of human NaV1.1 cDNA. We identified nucleotide sequences within the NaV1.1 coding region that resemble prokaryotic promoter-like elements, which are presumed to drive transcription of translationally toxic mRNAs in bacteria as the cause of the instability. We further demonstrated that mutations disrupting these elements mitigate the instability. Extending these observations, we generated full-length human NaV1.1, NaV1.2, and NaV1.6 plasmids using one or two introns that interrupt the latent reading frames along with a minimum number of silent nucleotide changes that achieved stable propagation in bacteria. Expression of the stabilized sequences in cultured mammalian cells resulted in functional NaV channels with properties that matched their parental constructs. Our findings explain a widely observed instability of recombinant neuronal human NaV channels, and we describe re-engineered plasmids that attenuate this problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc DeKeyser
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher H Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are foundational to excitable cell function: Their coordinated passage of sodium ions into the cell is critical for the generation and propagation of action potentials throughout the nervous system. The classical paradigm of action potential physiology states that sodium passes through the membrane only transiently (1-2 milliseconds), before the channels inactivate and cease to conduct sodium ions. However, in reality, a small fraction of the total sodium current (1%-2%) remains at steady state despite prolonged depolarization. While this persistent sodium current (INaP) contributes to normal physiological functioning of neurons, accumulating evidence indicates a particularly pathogenic role for an elevated INaP in epilepsy (reviewed previously1). Due to significant advances over the past decade of epilepsy research concerning the importance of INaP in sodium channelopathies, this review seeks to summarize recent evidence and highlight promising novel anti-seizure medication strategies through preferentially targeting INaP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Wengert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Manoj K. Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Loser D, Schaefer J, Danker T, Möller C, Brüll M, Suciu I, Ückert AK, Klima S, Leist M, Kraushaar U. Human neuronal signaling and communication assays to assess functional neurotoxicity. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:229-252. [PMID: 33269408 PMCID: PMC7811517 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02956-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Prediction of drug toxicity on the human nervous system still relies mainly on animal experiments. Here, we developed an alternative system allowing assessment of complex signaling in both individual human neurons and on the network level. The LUHMES cultures used for our approach can be cultured in 384-well plates with high reproducibility. We established here high-throughput quantification of free intracellular Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i as broadly applicable surrogate of neuronal activity and verified the main processes by patch clamp recordings. Initially, we characterized the expression pattern of many neuronal signaling components and selected the purinergic receptors to demonstrate the applicability of the [Ca2+]i signals for quantitative characterization of agonist and antagonist responses on classical ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors. This included receptor sub-typing and the characterization of the anti-parasitic drug suramin as modulator of the cellular response to ATP. To exemplify potential studies on ion channels, we characterized voltage-gated sodium channels and their inhibition by tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin and lidocaine, as well as their opening by the plant alkaloid veratridine and the food-relevant marine biotoxin ciguatoxin. Even broader applicability of [Ca2+]i quantification as an end point was demonstrated by measurements of dopamine transporter activity based on the membrane potential-changing activity of this neurotransmitter carrier. The substrates dopamine or amphetamine triggered [Ca2+]i oscillations that were synchronized over the entire culture dish. We identified compounds that modified these oscillations by interfering with various ion channels. Thus, this new test system allows multiple types of neuronal signaling, within and between cells, to be assessed, quantified and characterized for their potential disturbance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Schaefer
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | - Clemens Möller
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Anna-Katharina Ückert
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Stefanie Klima
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany.
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|