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Khairuddin S, Lim WL, Aquili L, Tsui KC, Tse ACK, Jayalath S, Varma R, Sharp T, Benazzouz A, Steinbusch H, Blokland A, Temel Y, Lim LW. Prelimbic Cortical Stimulation Induces Antidepressant-like Responses through Dopaminergic-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms. Cells 2023; 12:1449. [PMID: 37296570 PMCID: PMC10253143 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
High-frequency stimulation (HFS) is a promising therapy for patients with depression. However, the mechanisms underlying the HFS-induced antidepressant-like effects on susceptibility and resilience to depressive-like behaviors remain obscure. Given that dopaminergic neurotransmission has been found to be disrupted in depression, we investigated the dopamine(DA)-dependent mechanism of the antidepressant-like effects of HFS of the prelimbic cortex (HFS PrL). We performed HFS PrL in a rat model of mild chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) together with 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Animals were assessed for anxiety, anhedonia, and behavioral despair. We also examined levels of corticosterone, hippocampal neurotransmitters, neuroplasticity-related proteins, and morphological changes in dopaminergic neurons. We found 54.3% of CUS animals exhibited decreased sucrose consumption and were designated as CUS-susceptible, while the others were designated CUS-resilient. HFS PrL in both the CUS-susceptible and CUS-resilient animals significantly increased hedonia, reduced anxiety, decreased forced swim immobility, enhanced hippocampal DA and serotonin levels, and reduced corticosterone levels when compared with the respective sham groups. The hedonic-like effects were abolished in both DRN- and VTA-lesioned groups, suggesting the effects of HFS PrL are DA-dependent. Interestingly, VTA-lesioned sham animals had increased anxiety and forced swim immobility, which was reversed by HFS PrL. The VTA-lesioned HFS PrL animals also had elevated DA levels, and reduced p-p38 MAPK and NF-κB levels when compared to VTA-lesioned sham animals. These findings suggest that HFS PrL in stressed animals leads to profound antidepressant-like responses possibly through both DA-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharafuddin Khairuddin
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Ling Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Luca Aquili
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Health and Education, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
| | - Ka Chun Tsui
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anna Chung-Kwan Tse
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shehani Jayalath
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruhani Varma
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Trevor Sharp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Abdelhamid Benazzouz
- CNRS UMR5293, Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Harry Steinbusch
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Yasin Temel
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500, Malaysia
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Liu MN, Tian XY, Fang T, Wu N, Li H, Li J. Insights into the Involvement and Therapeutic Target Potential of the Dopamine System in the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3708-3723. [PMID: 36933147 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03312-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disease closely related to life-threatening events and psychological stress. Re-experiencing, hyperarousal, avoidance, and numbness are the hallmark symptoms of PTSD, but their underlying neurological processes have not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, the identification and development of drugs for PTSD that targets brain neuronal activities have stalled. Considering that the persistent fear memory induced by traumatic stimulation causes high alertness, high arousal, and cognitive impairment of PTSD symptoms. While the midbrain dopamine system can affect physiological processes such as aversive fear memory learning, consolidation, persistence, and extinction, by altering the functions of the dopaminergic neurons, our viewpoint is that the dopamine system plays a considerable role in the PTSD occurrence and acts as a potential therapeutic target of the disorder. This paper reviews recent findings on the structural and functional connections between ventral tegmental area neurons and the core synaptic circuits involved in PTSD, gene polymorphisms related to the dopamine system that confer susceptibility to clinical PTSD. Moreover, the progress of research on medications that target the dopamine system as PTSD therapies is also discussed. Our goal is to offer some hints for early detection and assist in identifying novel, efficient approaches for treating PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Nan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.,Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ting Fang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Hong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
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Poon CH, Liu Y, Pak S, Zhao RC, Aquili L, Tipoe GL, Leung GKK, Chan YS, Yang S, Fung ML, Wu EX, Lim LW. Prelimbic Cortical Stimulation with L-methionine Enhances Cognition through Hippocampal DNA Methylation and Neuroplasticity Mechanisms. Aging Dis 2023; 14:112-135. [PMID: 36818556 PMCID: PMC9937711 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0706] [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: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Declining global DNA methylation and cognitive impairment are reported to occur in the normal aging process. It is not known if DNA methylation plays a role in the efficacy of memory-enhancing therapies. In this study, aged animals were administered prelimbic cortical deep brain stimulation (PrL DBS) and/or L-methionine (MET) treatment. We found that PrL DBS and MET (MET-PrL DBS) co-administration resulted in hippocampal-dependent spatial memory enhancements in aged animals. Molecular data suggested MET-PrL DBS induced DNA methyltransferase DNMT3a-dependent methylation, robust synergistic upregulation of neuroplasticity-related genes, and simultaneous inhibition of the memory-suppressing gene calcineurin in the hippocampus. We further found that MET-PrL DBS also activated the PKA-CaMKIIα-BDNF pathway, increased hippocampal neurogenesis, and enhanced dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. We next inhibited the activity of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) by RG108 infusion in the hippocampus of young animals to establish a causal relationship between DNMT activity and the effects of PrL DBS. Hippocampal DNMT inhibition in young animals was sufficient to recapitulate the behavioral deficits observed in aged animals and abolished the memory-enhancing and molecular effects of PrL DBS. Our findings implicate hippocampal DNMT as a therapeutic target for PrL DBS and pave way for the potential use of non-invasive neuromodulation modalities against dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Him Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Yanzhi Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Sojeong Pak
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | | | - Luca Aquili
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Discipline of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.
| | - George Lim Tipoe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ying-Shing Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Sungchil Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Man-Lung Fung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Ed Xuekui Wu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Lee Wei LIM, Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. .
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Tsui KC, Roy J, Chau SC, Wong KH, Shi L, Poon CH, Wang Y, Strekalova T, Aquili L, Chang RCC, Fung ML, Song YQ, Lim LW. Distribution and inter-regional relationship of amyloid-beta plaque deposition in a 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:964336. [PMID: 35966777 PMCID: PMC9371463 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.964336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Although previous studies have selectively investigated the localization of amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition in certain brain regions, a comprehensive characterization of the rostro-caudal distribution of Aβ plaques in the brain and their inter-regional correlation remain unexplored. Our results demonstrated remarkable working and spatial memory deficits in 9-month-old 5xFAD mice compared to wildtype mice. High Aβ plaque load was detected in the somatosensory cortex, piriform cortex, thalamus, and dorsal/ventral hippocampus; moderate levels of Aβ plaques were observed in the motor cortex, orbital cortex, visual cortex, and retrosplenial dysgranular cortex; and low levels of Aβ plaques were located in the amygdala, and the cerebellum; but no Aβ plaques were found in the hypothalamus, raphe nuclei, vestibular nucleus, and cuneate nucleus. Interestingly, the deposition of Aβ plaques was positively associated with brain inter-regions including the prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, medial amygdala, thalamus, and the hippocampus. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive morphological profile of Aβ deposition in the brain and its inter-regional correlation. This suggests an association between Aβ plaque deposition and specific brain regions in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Chun Tsui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jaydeep Roy
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sze Chun Chau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kah Hui Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Him Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingyi Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Normal Physiology and Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Luca Aquili
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Science, Health, Engineering, and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man-Lung Fung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Man-Lung Fung,
| | - You-qiang Song
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- You-qiang Song,
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Lee Wei Lim,
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The Monkey Head Mushroom and Memory Enhancement in Alzheimer’s Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152284. [PMID: 35892581 PMCID: PMC9331832 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, and no effective treatments are available to treat this disorder. Therefore, researchers have been investigating Hericium erinaceus, or the monkey head mushroom, an edible medicinal mushroom, as a possible treatment for AD. In this narrative review, we evaluated six preclinical and three clinical studies of the therapeutic effects of Hericium erinaceus on AD. Preclinical trials have successfully demonstrated that extracts and bioactive compounds of Hericium erinaceus have potential beneficial effects in ameliorating cognitive functioning and behavioral deficits in animal models of AD. A limited number of clinical studies have been conducted and several clinical trials are ongoing, which have thus far shown analogous outcomes to the preclinical studies. Nonetheless, future research on Hericium erinaceus needs to focus on elucidating the specific neuroprotective mechanisms and the target sites in AD. Additionally, standardized treatment parameters and universal regulatory systems need to be established to further ensure treatment safety and efficacy. In conclusion, Hericium erinaceus has therapeutic potential and may facilitate memory enhancement in patients with AD.
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Yu WS, Aquili L, Wong KH, Lo ACY, Chan LLH, Chan YS, Lim LW. Transcorneal electrical stimulation enhances cognitive functions in aged and 5XFAD mouse models. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1515:249-265. [PMID: 35751874 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Dementia is a major burden on global health for which there are no effective treatments. The use of noninvasive visual stimulation to ameliorate cognitive deficits is a novel concept that may be applicable for treating dementia. In this study, we investigated the effects of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) on memory enhancement using two mouse models, in aged mice and in the 5XFAD model of Alzheimer's disease. After 3 weeks of TES treatment, mice were subjected to Y-maze and Morris water maze tests to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Immunostaining of the hippocampus of 5XFAD mice was also performed to examine the effects of TES on amyloid plaque pathology. The results showed that TES improved the performance of both aged and 5XFAD mice in memory tests. TES also reduced hippocampal plaque deposition in male, but not female, 5XFAD mice. Moreover, TES significantly reversed the downregulated level of postsynaptic protein 95 in the hippocampus of male 5XFAD mice, suggesting the effects of TES involve a postsynaptic mechanism. Overall, these findings support further investigation of TES as a potential treatment for cognitive dysfunction and mechanistic studies of TES effects in other dementia models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Shan Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Luca Aquili
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Discipline of Psychology, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kah Hui Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Leanne Lai Hang Chan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying-Shing Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Chong PS, Poon CH, Roy J, Tsui KC, Lew SY, Phang MWL, Tan RJY, Cheng PG, Fung ML, Wong KH, Lim LW. Neurogenesis-dependent antidepressant-like activity of Hericium erinaceus in an animal model of depression. Chin Med 2021; 16:132. [PMID: 34876186 PMCID: PMC8650354 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00546-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 264 million people worldwide. The efficacy of conventional antidepressants are barely adequate and many have side effects. Hericium erinaceus (HE) is a medicinal mushroom that has been reported to have therapeutic potential for treating depression. Methods Animals subjected to chronic restraint stress were given 4 weeks HE treatment. Animals were then screened for anxiety and depressive-like behaviours. Gene and protein assays, as well as histological analysis were performed to probe the role of neurogenesis in mediating the therapeutic effect of HE. Temozolomide was administered to validate the neurogenesis-dependent mechanism of HE. Results The results showed that 4 weeks of HE treatment ameliorated depressive-like behaviours in mice subjected to 14 days of restraint stress. Further molecular assays demonstrated the 4-week HE treatment elevated the expression of several neurogenesis-related genes and proteins, including doublecortin, nestin, synaptophysin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB). Increased bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells were also observed in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, indicating enhanced neurogenesis. Neurogenesis blocker temozolomide completely abolished the antidepressant-like effects of HE, confirming a neurogenesis-dependent mechanism. Moreover, HE induced anti-neuroinflammatory effects through reducing astrocyte activation in the hippocampus, which was also abolished with temozolomide administration. Conclusion HE exerts antidepressant effects by promoting neurogenesis and reducing neuroinflammation through enhancing the BDNF-TrkB-CREB signalling pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-021-00546-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pit Shan Chong
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Him Poon
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jaydeep Roy
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka Chun Tsui
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sze Yuen Lew
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Michael Weng Lok Phang
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rachael Julia Yuenyinn Tan
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Poh Guat Cheng
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Ganofarm R&D SDN BHD, 01-01, SKYPOD SQUARE, Persiaran Puchong Jaya Selatan, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47100, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Man-Lung Fung
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kah Hui Wong
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Chan HJ, Yanshree, Roy J, Tipoe GL, Fung ML, Lim LW. Therapeutic Potential of Human Stem Cell Implantation in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10151. [PMID: 34576314 PMCID: PMC8471075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810151] [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: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive debilitating neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia in the older population. At present, there is no definitive effective treatment for AD. Therefore, researchers are now looking at stem cell therapy as a possible treatment for AD, but whether stem cells are safe and effective in humans is still not clear. In this narrative review, we discuss both preclinical studies and clinical trials on the therapeutic potential of human stem cells in AD. Preclinical studies have successfully differentiated stem cells into neurons in vitro, indicating the potential viability of stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative diseases. Preclinical studies have also shown that stem cell therapy is safe and effective in improving cognitive performance in animal models, as demonstrated in the Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test. Although few clinical trials have been completed and many trials are still in phase I and II, the initial results confirm the outcomes of the preclinical studies. However, limitations like rejection, tumorigenicity, and ethical issues are still barriers to the advancement of stem cell therapy. In conclusion, the use of stem cells in the treatment of AD shows promise in terms of effectiveness and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical, Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.J.C.); (Y.); (J.R.); (G.L.T.); (M.-L.F.)
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