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Hai-Na Z, Jun-Jie J, Guang-Meng X. Peptides derived from growth factors: Exploring their diverse impact from antimicrobial properties to neuroprotection. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116830. [PMID: 38824833 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116830] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Growth factor-derived peptides are bioactive molecules that play a crucial role in various physiological processes within the human body. Over the years, extensive research has revealed their diverse applications, ranging from antimicrobial properties to their potential in neuroprotection and treating various diseases. These peptides exhibit innate immune responses and have been found to possess potent antimicrobial properties against a wide range of pathogens. Growth factor-derived peptides have demonstrated the ability to promote neuronal survival, prevent cell death, and stimulate neural regeneration. As a result, they hold immense promise in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as in the management of traumatic brain injuries. Moreover, growth factor-derived peptides have shown potential for supporting tissue repair and wound healing processes. By enhancing cell proliferation and migration, these peptides contribute to the regeneration of damaged tissues and promote a more efficient healing response. The applications of growth factor-derived peptides extend beyond their therapeutic potential in health; they also have a role in various disease conditions. For example, researchers have explored their influence on cancer cells, where some peptides have demonstrated anti-cancer properties, inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, their immunomodulatory properties have been investigated for potential applications in autoimmune disorders. Despite the immense promise shown by growth factor-derived peptides, some challenges need to be addressed. Nevertheless, ongoing research and advancements in biotechnology offer promising avenues to overcome these obstacles. The review summarizes the foundational biology of growth factors and the intricate signaling pathways in various physiological processes as well as diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular ailments, and metabolic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Hai-Na
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, PR China
| | - Jiang Jun-Jie
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, PR China
| | - Xu Guang-Meng
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, PR China.
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Ceci C, Lacal PM, Barbaccia ML, Mercuri NB, Graziani G, Ledonne A. The VEGFs/VEGFRs system in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: Pathophysiological roles and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107101. [PMID: 38336311 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and in diseases associated to pathological vessel formation, play multifaceted functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to shaping brain development, by controlling cerebral vasculogenesis and regulating neurogenesis as well as astrocyte differentiation, the VEGFs/VEGFRs axis exerts essential functions in the adult brain both in physiological and pathological contexts. In this article, after describing the physiological VEGFs/VEGFRs functions in the CNS, we focus on the VEGFs/VEGFRs involvement in neurodegenerative diseases by reviewing the current literature on the rather complex VEGFs/VEGFRs contribution to the pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Thereafter, based on the outcome of VEGFs/VEGFRs targeting in animal models of AD and PD, we discuss the factual relevance of pharmacological VEGFs/VEGFRs modulation as a novel and potential disease-modifying approach for these neurodegenerative pathologies. Specific VEGFRs targeting, aimed at selective VEGFR-1 inhibition, while preserving VEGFR-2 signal transduction, appears as a promising strategy to hit the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology. Moreover, therapeutic VEGFs-based approaches can be proposed for PD treatment, with the aim of fine-tuning their brain levels to amplify neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects while limiting an excessive impact on vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ceci
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Barbaccia
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Neurology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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de Gea P, Benkeder S, Bouvet P, Aimard M, Chounlamountri N, Honnorat J, Do LD, Meissirel C. VEGF controls microglial phagocytic response to amyloid-β. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1264402. [PMID: 38162003 PMCID: PMC10757340 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1264402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglial cells are well known to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), due to the impaired clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. In AD, Aβ accumulates in the brain parenchyma as soluble oligomers and protofibrils, and its aggregation process further give rise to amyloid plaques. Compelling evidence now indicate that Aβ oligomers (Aβo) are the most toxic forms responsible for neuronal and synaptic alterations. Recently, we showed that the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) counteracts Aβo-induced synaptic alterations and that a peptide derived from VEGF is able to inhibit Aβ aggregation process. Moreover, VEGF has been reported to promote microglial chemotaxis to Aβ brain deposits. We therefore investigated whether VEGF could influence microglial phagocytic response to Aβ, using in vitro and ex vivo models of amyloid accumulation. We report here that VEGF increases Aβo phagocytosis by microglial cells and further characterized the molecular basis of the VEGF effect. VEGF is able to control α-secretase activity in microglial cells, resulting in the increased cleavage of the Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a major microglial Aβ receptor. Consistently, the soluble form sTREM2 also increases Aβo phagocytosis by microglial cells. Taken together, these findings propose VEGF as a new regulator of Aβ clearance and suggest its potential role in rescuing compromised microglial function in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscille de Gea
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Benkeder
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Pauline Bouvet
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Mélanie Aimard
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Naura Chounlamountri
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Jérôme Honnorat
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- French Reference Center for Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes and Autoimmune Encephalitis, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France
| | - Le Duy Do
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- French Reference Center for Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes and Autoimmune Encephalitis, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France
| | - Claire Meissirel
- Laboratory MeLIS, Institut Neuromyogène, Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies, INSERM U1314, CNRS UMR 5284, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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