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Karliner J, Liu Y, Merry DE. Mutant androgen receptor induces neurite loss and senescence independently of ARE binding in a neuronal model of SBMA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321408121. [PMID: 38976730 PMCID: PMC11260106 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321408121] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a slowly progressing neuromuscular disease caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ)-encoding CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, leading to AR aggregation, lower motor neuron death, and muscle atrophy. AR is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates neuronal architecture and promotes axon regeneration; however, whether AR transcriptional functions contribute to disease pathogenesis is not fully understood. Using a differentiated PC12 cell model of SBMA, we identified dysfunction of polyQ-expanded AR in its regulation of neurite growth and maintenance. Specifically, we found that in the presence of androgens, polyQ-expanded AR inhibited neurite outgrowth, induced neurite retraction, and inhibited neurite regrowth. This dysfunction was independent of polyQ-expanded AR transcriptional activity at androgen response elements (ARE). We further showed that the formation of polyQ-expanded AR intranuclear inclusions promoted neurite retraction, which coincided with reduced expression of the neuronal differentiation marker β-III-Tubulin. Finally, we revealed that cell death is not the primary outcome for cells undergoing neurite retraction; rather, these cells become senescent. Our findings reveal that mechanisms independent of AR canonical transcriptional activity underly neurite defects in a cell model of SBMA and identify senescence as a pathway implicated in this pathology. These findings suggest that in the absence of a role for AR canonical transcriptional activity in the SBMA pathologies described here, the development of SBMA therapeutics that preserve this activity may be desirable. This approach may be broadly applicable to other polyglutamine diseases such as Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordyn Karliner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
| | - Diane E. Merry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107
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Yu M, Shen Z, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Zhao H, Zhang L. The active components of Erzhi wan and their anti-Alzheimer's disease mechanisms determined by an integrative approach of network pharmacology, bioinformatics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33761. [PMID: 39027618 PMCID: PMC11255520 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Erzhi Wan (EZW), a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, has shown promise as a potential therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet its mechanism remains elusive. Herein, we employed an integrative in-silico approach to investigate the active components and their mechanisms against AD. We screened four active components with blood-brain barrier permeabilities from TCMSP, along with 307 corresponding targets predicted by SwissTargetPrediction, PharmMapper, and TCMbank websites. Then, we retrieved 2260 AD-related targets from Genecards, OMIM, and NCBI databases. Furthermore, we constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the intersected targets via the STRING database and performed the GO and KEGG enrichment analyses using the "clusterProfiler" R package. The results showed that the intersected targets were intimately related to the p53/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, and response to oxygen level. Subsequently, 25 core targets were found differentially expressed in brain regions by bioinformatics analyses of GEO datasets of clinical samples from the Alzdata database. The binding sites and stabilities between the active components and the core targets were investigated by the molecular docking approach using Autodock 4.2.6 software, followed by pocket detection and druggability assessment via the DoGSiteScorer server. The results showed that acacetin, β-sitosterol, and 3-O-acetyldammarenediol-II strongly interacted with the druggable pockets of AR, CASP8, POLB, and PREP. Eventually, the docking results were further cross-referenced with the literature research and validated by 100 ns of molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS software. Binding free energies were calculated via MM/PBSA strategy combined with interaction entropy. The simulation results indicated stable bindings between four docking pairs including acacetin-AR, acacetin-CASP8, β-sitosterol-POLB, and 3-O-acetyldammarenediol-II-PREP. Overall, our study demonstrated a theoretical basis for how three active components of EZW confer efficacy against AD. It provides a promising reference for subsequent research regarding drug discoveries and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Yu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China
| | - Zhongqi Shen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Literature and Culture, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China
| | - Shaozhi Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China
| | - Longfei Zhang
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China
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Rosato E, Sciarra F, Anastasiadou E, Lenzi A, Venneri MA. Revisiting the physiological role of androgens in women. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2022; 17:547-561. [PMID: 36352537 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2022.2144834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Extensive research underlines the critical functions of androgens in females. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms of their action are poorly understood. Here, we review the existing literature regarding the physiological role of androgens in women throughout life. AREAS COVERED Several studies show that androgen receptors (ARs) are broadly expressed in numerous female tissues. They are essential for many physiological processes, including reproductive, sexual, cardiovascular, bone, muscle, and brain health. They are also involved in adipose tissue and liver function. Androgen levels change with the menstrual cycle and decrease in the first decades of life, independently of menopause. EXPERT OPINION To date, studies are limited by including small numbers of women, the difficulty of dosing androgens, and their cyclical variations. In particular, whether androgens play any significant role in regulating the establishment of pregnancy is poorly understood. The neural functions of ARs have also been investigated less thoroughly, although it is expressed at high levels in brain structures. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the decline of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) with age is unclear. Other factors, including estrogen's effect on adrenal androgen production, reciprocal regulation of ARs, and non-classical effects of androgens, remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rosato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sciarra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleni Anastasiadou
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mary Anna Venneri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Sengupta M, Pluciennik A, Merry DE. The role of ubiquitination in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1020143. [PMID: 36277484 PMCID: PMC9583669 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1020143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neurodegenerative and neuromuscular genetic disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine-encoding CAG tract in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The AR is an important transcriptional regulator of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily; its levels are regulated in many ways including by ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification (PTM) which plays a key role in both AR transcriptional activity and its degradation. Moreover, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a fundamental component of cellular functioning and has been implicated in diseases of protein misfolding and aggregation, including polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansion diseases such as Huntington's disease and SBMA. In this review, we discuss the details of the UPS system, its functions and regulation, and the role of AR ubiquitination and UPS components in SBMA. We also discuss aspects of the UPS that may be manipulated for therapeutic effect in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diane E. Merry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Proaño B, Casani-Cubel J, Benlloch M, Rodriguez-Mateos A, Navarro-Illana E, Lajara-Romance JM, de la Rubia Ortí JE. Is Dutasteride a Therapeutic Alternative for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092084. [PMID: 36140184 PMCID: PMC9495995 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092084] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) in the cerebral cortex, brainstem and spinal cord, with consequent weakness, atrophy and the progressive paralysis of all muscles. There is currently no medical cure, and riluzole and edaravone are the only two known approved drugs for treating this condition. However, they have limited efficacy, and hence there is a need to find new molecules. Dutasteride, a dual inhibitor of type 1 and type 2 5α-reductase (5AR) enzymes, the therapeutic purposes of which, to date, are the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, shows great anti-ALS properties by the molecular-topology methodology. Based on this evidence, this review aims to assess the effects of dutasteride on testosterone (T), progesterone (PROG) and 17β-estradiol (17BE) as a therapeutic alternative for the clinical improvement of ALS, based on the hormonal, metabolic and molecular pathways related to the pathogenesis of the disease. According to the evidence found, dutasteride shows great neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also appears effective against glutamate toxicity, and it is capable of restoring altered dopamine activity (DA). These effects are achieved both directly and through steroid hormones. Therefore, dutasteride seems to be a promising molecule for the treatment of ALS, although clinical studies are required for confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Proaño
- Doctoral Degree School, Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Julia Casani-Cubel
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - María Benlloch
- Department Nursing, Catholic University San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez-Mateos
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, Franklin Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, UK
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Ogura Y, Sahashi K, Hirunagi T, Iida M, Miyata T, Katsuno M. Mid1 is associated with androgen-dependent axonal vulnerability of motor neurons in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:601. [PMID: 35821212 PMCID: PMC9276699 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05001-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an adult-onset hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansions of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Androgen-dependent nuclear accumulation of pathogenic AR protein causes degeneration of lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. While the successful induction of SBMA-like pathology has been achieved in mouse models, mechanisms underlying motor neuron vulnerability remain unclear. In the present study, we performed a transcriptome-based screening for genes expressed exclusively in motor neurons and dysregulated in the spinal cord of SBMA mice. We found upregulation of Mid1 encoding a microtubule-associated RNA binding protein which facilitates the translation of CAG-expanded mRNAs. Based on the finding that lower motor neurons begin expressing Mid1 during embryonic stages, we developed an organotypic slice culture system of the spinal cord obtained from SBMA mouse fetuses to study the pathogenic role of Mid1 in SBMA motor neurons. Impairment of axonal regeneration arose in the spinal cord culture in SBMA mice in an androgen-dependent manner, but not in mice with non-CAG-expanded AR, and was either exacerbated or ameliorated by Mid1 overexpression or knockdown, respectively. Hence, an early Mid1 expression confers vulnerability to motor neurons, at least by inducing axonogenesis defects, in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Ogura
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Sahashi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoki Hirunagi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Madoka Iida
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takaki Miyata
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Clinical Research Education, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Talà A, Guerra F, Calcagnile M, Romano R, Resta SC, Paiano A, Chiariello M, Pizzolante G, Bucci C, Alifano P. HrpA anchors meningococci to the dynein motor and affects the balance between apoptosis and pyroptosis. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:45. [PMID: 35765029 PMCID: PMC9241232 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00829-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Neisseria meningitidis the HrpA/HrpB two-partner secretion system (TPS) was implicated in diverse functions including meningococcal competition, biofilm formation, adherence to epithelial cells, intracellular survival and vacuolar escape. These diverse functions could be attributed to distinct domains of secreted HrpA. METHODS A yeast two-hybrid screening, in vitro pull-down assay and immunofluorescence microscopy experiments were used to investigate the interaction between HrpA and the dynein light-chain, Tctex-type 1 (DYNLT1). In silico modeling was used to analyze HrpA structure. Western blot analysis was used to investigate apoptotic and pyroptotic markers. RESULTS The HrpA carboxy-terminal region acts as a manganese-dependent cell lysin, while the results of a yeast two-hybrid screening demonstrated that the HrpA middle region has the ability to bind the dynein light-chain, Tctex-type 1 (DYNLT1). This interaction was confirmed by in vitro pull-down assay and immunofluorescence microscopy experiments showing co-localization of N. meningitidis with DYNLT1 in infected epithelial cells. In silico modeling revealed that the HrpA-M interface interacting with the DYNLT1 has similarity with capsid proteins of neurotropic viruses that interact with the DYNLT1. Indeed, we found that HrpA plays a key role in infection of and meningococcal trafficking within neuronal cells, and is implicated in the modulation of the balance between apoptosis and pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings revealed that N. meningitidis is able to effectively infect and survive in neuronal cells, and that this ability is dependent on HrpA, which establishes a direct protein-protein interaction with DYNLTI in these cells, suggesting that the HrpA interaction with dynein could be fundamental for N. meningitidis spreading inside the neurons. Moreover, we found that the balance between apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways is heavily affected by HrpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelfia Talà
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Flora Guerra
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Matteo Calcagnile
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Roberta Romano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Silvia Caterina Resta
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Aurora Paiano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Mario Chiariello
- Core Research Laboratory-Siena, Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), 53100, Siena, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Graziano Pizzolante
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Cecilia Bucci
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Pietro Alifano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Provinciale Monteroni n. 165, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
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Relationship between serum gonadal hormone levels and synkinesis in postmenopausal women and man with idiopathic facial paralysis. Auris Nasus Larynx 2022; 49:782-789. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Bianchi VE, Bresciani E, Meanti R, Rizzi L, Omeljaniuk RJ, Torsello A. The role of androgens in women's health and wellbeing. Pharmacol Res 2021; 171:105758. [PMID: 34242799 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Androgens in women, as well as in men, are intrinsic to maintenance of (i) reproductive competency, (ii) cardiac health, (iii) appropriate bone remodeling and mass retention, (iii) muscle tone and mass, and (iv) brain function, in part, through their mitigation of neurodegenerative disease effects. In recognition of the pluripotency of endogenous androgens, exogenous androgens, and selected congeners, have been prescribed off-label for several decades to treat low libido and sexual dysfunction in menopausal women, as well as, to improve physical performance. However, long-term safety and efficacy of androgen administration has yet to be fully elucidated. Side effects often observed include (i) hirsutism, (ii) acne, (iii) deepening of the voice, and (iv) weight gain but are associated most frequently with supra-physiological doses. By contrast, short-term clinical trials suggest that the use of low-dose testosterone therapy in women appears to be effective, safe and economical. There are, however, few clinical studies, which have focused on effects of androgen therapy on pre- and post-menopausal women; moreover, androgen mechanisms of action have not yet been thoroughly explained in these subjects. This review considers clinical effects of androgens on women's health in order to prevent chronic diseases and reduce cancer risk in gynecological tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio E Bianchi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Center Stella Maris, Strada Rovereta 42, Falciano 47891, San Marino.
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Ramona Meanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Robert J Omeljaniuk
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.
| | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
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Kaarijärvi R, Kaljunen H, Ketola K. Molecular and Functional Links between Neurodevelopmental Processes and Treatment-Induced Neuroendocrine Plasticity in Prostate Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040692. [PMID: 33572108 PMCID: PMC7915380 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040692] [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] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) is a subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) which develops under prolonged androgen deprivation therapy. The mechanisms and pathways underlying the t-NEPC are still poorly understood and there are no effective treatments available. Here, we summarize the literature on the molecules and pathways contributing to neuroendocrine phenotype in prostate cancer in the context of their known cellular neurodevelopmental processes. We also discuss the role of tumor microenvironment in neuroendocrine plasticity, future directions, and therapeutic options under clinical investigation for neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Abstract Neuroendocrine plasticity and treatment-induced neuroendocrine phenotypes have recently been proposed as important resistance mechanisms underlying prostate cancer progression. Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) is highly aggressive subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer which develops for one fifth of patients under prolonged androgen deprivation. In recent years, understanding of molecular features and phenotypic changes in neuroendocrine plasticity has been grown. However, there are still fundamental questions to be answered in this emerging research field, for example, why and how do the prostate cancer treatment-resistant cells acquire neuron-like phenotype. The advantages of the phenotypic change and the role of tumor microenvironment in controlling cellular plasticity and in the emergence of treatment-resistant aggressive forms of prostate cancer is mostly unknown. Here, we discuss the molecular and functional links between neurodevelopmental processes and treatment-induced neuroendocrine plasticity in prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance. We provide an overview of the emergence of neurite-like cells in neuroendocrine prostate cancer cells and whether the reported t-NEPC pathways and proteins relate to neurodevelopmental processes like neurogenesis and axonogenesis during the development of treatment resistance. We also discuss emerging novel therapeutic targets modulating neuroendocrine plasticity.
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McLeod VM, Chiam MDF, Lau CL, Rupasinghe TW, Boon WC, Turner BJ. Dysregulation of Steroid Hormone Receptors in Motor Neurons and Glia Associates with Disease Progression in ALS Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5867502. [PMID: 32621747 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease targeting motor neurons which shows sexual dimorphism in its incidence, age of onset, and progression rate. All steroid hormones, including androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, have been implicated in modulating ALS. Increasing evidence suggests that steroid hormones provide neuroprotective and neurotrophic support to motor neurons, either directly or via surrounding glial cell interactions, by activating their respective nuclear hormone receptors and initiating transcriptional regulatory responses. The SOD1G93A transgenic mouse also shows sex-specific differences in age of onset and progression, and remains the most widely used model in ALS research. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the influences of steroid hormone signaling in ALS, we systemically characterized sex hormone receptor expression at transcript and protein levels, cellular localization, and the impact of disease course in lumbar spinal cords of male and female SOD1G93A mice. We found that spinal motor neurons highly express nuclear androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and progesterone receptor with variations in glial cell expression. AR showed the most robust sex-specific difference in expression and was downregulated in male SOD1G93A mouse spinal cord, in association with depletion in 5α-reductase type 2 isoform, which primarily metabolizes testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone. ERα was highly enriched in reactive astrocytes of SOD1G93A mice and ERβ was strongly upregulated. The 5α-reductase type 1 isoform was upregulated with disease progression and may influence local spinal cord hormone levels. In conclusion, steroid hormone receptor expression is dynamic and cell-type specific in SOD1G93A mice which may provide targets to modulate progression in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M McLeod
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mathew D F Chiam
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Chew L Lau
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Thusitha W Rupasinghe
- Metabolomics Australia, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wah C Boon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Gamache J, Yun Y, Chiba-Falek O. Sex-dependent effect of APOE on Alzheimer's disease and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm045211. [PMID: 32859588 PMCID: PMC7473656 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.045211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of apolipoprotein E (APOE) in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) has been firmly established, but the mechanisms through which it exerts its pathogenic effects remain elusive. In addition, the sex-dependent effects of APOE on LOAD risk and endophenotypes have yet to be explained. In this Review, we revisit the different aspects of APOE involvement in neurodegeneration and neurological diseases, with particular attention to sex differences in the contribution of APOE to LOAD susceptibility. We discuss the role of APOE in a broader range of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and summarize the biological factors linking APOE to sex hormones, drawing on supportive findings from rodent models to identify major mechanistic themes underlying the exacerbation of LOAD-associated neurodegeneration and pathology in the female brain. Additionally, we list sex-by-genotype interactions identified across neurodegenerative diseases, proposing APOE variants as a shared etiology for sex differences in the manifestation of these diseases. Finally, we present recent advancements in 'omics' technologies, which provide a new platform for more in-depth investigations of how dysregulation of this gene affects the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, the evidence summarized in this Review highlights the interplay between APOE and sex as a key factor in the etiology of LOAD and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases. We emphasize the importance of careful examination of sex as a contributing factor in studying the underpinning genetics of neurodegenerative diseases in general, but particularly for LOAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Gamache
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Young Yun
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ornit Chiba-Falek
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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13
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Bianchi VE, Rizzi L, Bresciani E, Omeljaniuk RJ, Torsello A. Androgen Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa120. [PMID: 33094209 PMCID: PMC7568521 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington disease, are characterized by the loss of neurons as well as neuronal function in multiple regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Several studies in animal models have shown that androgens have neuroprotective effects in the brain and stimulate axonal regeneration. The presence of neuronal androgen receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system suggests that androgen therapy might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. To illustrate, androgen therapy reduced inflammation, amyloid-β deposition, and cognitive impairment in patients with AD. As well, improvements in remyelination in MS have been reported; by comparison, only variable results are observed in androgen treatment of PD. In ALS, androgen administration stimulated motoneuron recovery from progressive damage and regenerated both axons and dendrites. Only a few clinical studies are available in human individuals despite the safety and low cost of androgen therapy. Clinical evaluations of the effects of androgen therapy on these devastating diseases using large populations of patients are strongly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Emanuele Bianchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Center Stella Maris, Strada Rovereta, Falciano, San Marino
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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14
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Cristofani R, Crippa V, Cicardi ME, Tedesco B, Ferrari V, Chierichetti M, Casarotto E, Piccolella M, Messi E, Galbiati M, Rusmini P, Poletti A. A Crucial Role for the Protein Quality Control System in Motor Neuron Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:191. [PMID: 32792938 PMCID: PMC7385251 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are fatal diseases characterized by loss of motor neurons in the brain cortex, in the bulbar region, and/or in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. While generally sporadic, inherited forms linked to mutant genes encoding altered RNA/protein products have also been described. Several different mechanisms have been found altered or dysfunctional in MNDs, like the protein quality control (PQC) system. In this review, we will discuss how the PQC system is affected in two MNDs—spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—and how this affects the clearance of aberrantly folded proteins, which accumulate in motor neurons, inducing dysfunctions and their death. In addition, we will discuss how the PQC system can be targeted to restore proper cell function, enhancing the survival of affected cells in MNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cristofani
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEND), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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15
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Huang T, Li H, Zhang S, Liu F, Wang D, Xu J. Nrn1 Overexpression Attenuates Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis, Promotes Axonal Regeneration, and Improves Visual Function Following Optic Nerve Crush in Rats. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 71:66-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01627-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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16
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Vegeto E, Villa A, Della Torre S, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Galbiati M, Maggi A, Poletti A. The Role of Sex and Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5572525. [PMID: 31544208 PMCID: PMC7156855 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a wide class of disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Several factors were hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases, including genetic and environmental factors. Many of these diseases show a sex prevalence and sex steroids were shown to have a role in the progression of specific forms of neurodegeneration. Estrogens were reported to be neuroprotective through their action on cognate nuclear and membrane receptors, while adverse effects of male hormones have been described on neuronal cells, although some data also suggest neuroprotective activities. The response of the CNS to sex steroids is a complex and integrated process that depends on (i) the type and amount of the cognate steroid receptor and (ii) the target cell type-either neurons, glia, or microglia. Moreover, the levels of sex steroids in the CNS fluctuate due to gonadal activities and to local metabolism and synthesis. Importantly, biochemical processes involved in the pathogenesis of NDs are increasingly being recognized as different between the two sexes and as influenced by sex steroids. The aim of this review is to present current state-of-the-art understanding on the potential role of sex steroids and their receptors on the onset and progression of major neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the peculiar motoneuron disease spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, in which hormonal therapy is potentially useful as disease modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vegeto
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DiSS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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17
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Choi DJ, Yang H, Gaire S, Lee KA, An J, Kim BG, Jou I, Park SM, Joe EH. Critical roles of astrocytic-CCL2-dependent monocyte infiltration in a DJ-1 knockout mouse model of delayed brain repair. Glia 2020; 68:2086-2101. [PMID: 32176388 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Monocyte-derived macrophages play a role in the repair of the injured brain. We previously reported that a deficiency of the Parkinson's disease (PD)-associated gene DJ-1 delays repair of brain injury produced by stereotaxic injection of ATP, a component of damage-associated molecular patterns. Here, we show that a DJ-1 deficiency attenuates monocyte infiltration into the damaged brain owing to a decrease in C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression in astrocytes. Like DJ-1-knockout (KO) mice, CCL2 receptor (CCR2)-KO mice showed defects in monocyte infiltration and delayed recovery of brain injury, as determined by 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging analysis and immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase and glial fibrillary acid protein. Notably, transcriptome analyses showed that genes related to regeneration and synapse formation were similarly downregulated in injured brains of DJ-1-KO and CCR2-KO mice compared with the injured wild-type brain. These results indicate that defective astrogliosis in DJ-1-KO mice is associated with decreased CCL2 expression and attenuated monocyte infiltration, resulting in delayed repair of brain injury. Thus, delayed repair of brain injury could contribute to the development of PD. MAIN POINTS: A DJ-1 deficiency attenuates infiltration of monocytes owing to a decrease in CCL2 expression in astrocytes, which in turn led to delay in repair of brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Joo Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hajie Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sushil Gaire
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Keon Ah Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Jiawei An
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Byung Gon Kim
- Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Ilo Jou
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sang Myun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eun-Hye Joe
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
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18
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McLeod VM, Lau CL, Chiam MD, Rupasinghe TW, Roessner U, Djouma E, Boon WC, Turner BJ. Androgen receptor antagonism accelerates disease onset in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:2111-2130. [PMID: 30849180 PMCID: PMC6555856 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease typically more common in males, implicating androgens in progression of both patients and mouse models. Androgen effects are mediated by androgen receptor which is highly expressed in spinal motor neurons and skeletal muscles. To clarify the role of androgen receptors in ALS, we therefore examined the effect of androgen receptor antagonism in the SOD1G93A mouse model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The androgen receptor antagonist, flutamide, was administered to presymptomatic SOD1G93A mice as a slow-release subcutaneous implant (5 mg·day-1 ). Testosterone, flutamide, and metabolite levels were measured in blood and spinal cord tissue by LC-MS-MS. Effects on disease onset and progression were assessed using motor function tests, survival, muscle, and neuropathological analyses. KEY RESULTS Flutamide was metabolised to 2-hydroxyflutamide achieving steady-state plasma levels across the study duration and reached the spinal cord at pharmacologically active concentrations. Flutamide treatment accelerated disease onset and locomotor dysfunction in male SOD1G93A mice, but not female mice, without affecting survival. Analysis of hindlimb muscles revealed exacerbation of myofibre atrophy in male SOD1G93A mice treated with flutamide, although motor neuron pathology was not affected. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The androgen receptor antagonist accelerated disease onset in male SOD1G93A mice, leading to exacerbated muscle pathology, consistent with a role of androgens in modulating disease severity, sexual dimorphism, and peripheral pathology in ALS. These results also demonstrate a key contribution of skeletal muscle pathology to disease onset, but not outcome, in this mouse model of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M. McLeod
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Chew L. Lau
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Mathew D.F. Chiam
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Thusitha W. Rupasinghe
- Metabolomics Australia, School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Ute Roessner
- Metabolomics Australia, School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Elvan Djouma
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and MicrobiologyLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVICAustralia
| | - Wah C. Boon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Bradley J. Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
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19
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Yan XS, Yang ZJ, Jia JX, Song W, Fang X, Cai ZP, Huo DS, Wang H. Protective mechanism of testosterone on cognitive impairment in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:649-657. [PMID: 30632505 PMCID: PMC6352583 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.245477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease is strongly associated with a reduction in synaptic plasticity, which may be induced by oxidative stress. Testosterone is beneficial in learning and memory, although the underlying protective mechanism of testosterone on cognitive performance remains unclear. This study explored the protective mechanism of a subcutaneous injection of 0.75 mg testosterone on cognitive dysfunction induced by bilateral injections of amyloid beta 1-42 oligomers into the lateral ventricles of male rats. Morris water maze test results demonstrated that testosterone treatment remarkably reduced escape latency and path length in Alzheimer's disease rat models. During probe trials, testosterone administration significantly elevated the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings. However, flutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, inhibited the protective effect of testosterone on cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease rat models. Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, western blot assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that the number of intact hippocampal pyramidal cells, the dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 region, the immune response and expression level of postsynaptic density protein 95 in the hippocampus, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were increased with testosterone treatment. In contrast, testosterone treatment reduced malondialdehyde levels. Flutamide inhibited the effects of testosterone on all of these indicators. Our data showed that the protective effect of testosterone on cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease is mediated via androgen receptors to scavenge free radicals, thereby enhancing synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Sheng Yan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zhan-Jun Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jian-Xin Jia
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xin Fang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zhi-Ping Cai
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Huo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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20
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Yao JJ, Zhao QR, Lu JM, Mei YA. Functions and the related signaling pathways of the neurotrophic factor neuritin. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:1414-1420. [PMID: 29595190 PMCID: PMC6289377 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuritin is a member of the neurotrophic factor family, which is activated by neural activity and neurotrophins, and promotes neurite growth and branching. It has shown to play an important role in neuronal plasticity and regeneration. It is also involved in other biological processes such as angiogenesis, tumorigenesis and immunomodulation. Thus far, however, the primary mechanisms of neuritin, including whether or not it acts through a receptor or which downstream signals might be activated following binding, are not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests that neuritin may be a potential therapeutic target in several neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on the recent advances in studies regarding the newly identified functions of neuritin and the signaling pathways related to these functions. We also discuss current hot topics and difficulties in neuritin research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Jing Yao
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qian-Ru Zhao
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jun-Mei Lu
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yan-Ai Mei
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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21
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Zhao QR, Lu JM, Li ZY, Mei YA. Neuritin promotes neurite and spine growth in rat cerebellar granule cells via L-type calcium channel-mediated calcium influx. J Neurochem 2018; 147:40-57. [PMID: 29920676 PMCID: PMC6220818 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Neuritin is a neurotrophic factor that is activated by neural activity and neurotrophins. Its major function is to promote neurite growth and branching; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. To address this issue, this study investigated the effects of neuritin on neurite and spine growth and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Incubation of CGNs for 24 h with neuritin increased neurite length and spine density; this effect was mimicked by insulin and abolished by inhibiting insulin receptor (IR) or mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activity. Calcium imaging and western blot analysis revealed that neuritin enhanced the increase in intracellular Ca2+ level induced by high K+, and stimulated the cell surface expression of CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 α subunits of the L‐type calcium channel, which was suppressed by inhibition of IR or mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase/ERK. Treatment with inhibitors of L‐type calcium channels, calmodulin, and calcineurin (CaN) abrogated the effects of neuritin on neurite length and spine density. A similar result was obtained by silencing nuclear factor of activated T cells c4, which is known to be activated by neuritin in CGNs. These results indicate that IR and ERK signaling as well as the Ca2+/CaN/nuclear factor of activated T cells c4 axis mediate the effects of neuritin on neurite and spine growth in CGNs. Open Practices
Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge. For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/ ![]()
Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14195.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Ru Zhao
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Mei Lu
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Yang Li
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Ai Mei
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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22
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Genes and Pathways Regulated by Androgens in Human Neural Cells, Potential Candidates for the Male Excess in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:239-252. [PMID: 29428674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to androgens during brain development in male individuals may participate to increase their susceptibility to develop neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. However, little is known about the action of androgens in human neural cells. METHODS We used human neural stem cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells to investigate targets of androgens. RESULTS RNA sequencing revealed that treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) leads to subtle but significant changes in the expression of about 200 genes, encoding proteins of extracellular matrix or involved in signal transduction of growth factors (e.g., insulin/insulin growth factor 1). We showed that the most differentially expressed genes (DEGs), RGCC, RNF144B, NRCAM, TRIM22, FAM107A, IGFBP5, and LAMA2, are reproducibly regulated by different androgens in different genetic backgrounds. We showed, by overexpressing the androgen receptor in neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y or knocking it down in human neural stem cells, that this regulation involves the androgen receptor. A chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with direct sequencing analysis identified androgen receptor-bound sequences in nearly half of the DHT-DEGs and in numerous other genes. DHT-DEGs appear enriched in genes involved in ASD (ASXL3, NLGN4X, etc.), associated with ASD (NRCAM), or differentially expressed in patients with ASD (FAM107A, IGFBP5). Androgens increase human neural stem cell proliferation and survival in nutrient-deprived culture conditions, with no detectable effect on regulation of neurite outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS We characterized androgen action in neural progenitor cells, identifying DHT-DEGs that appear to be enriched in genes related to ASD. We also showed that androgens increase proliferation of neuronal precursors and protect them from death during their differentiation in nutrient-deprived conditions.
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23
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Sengelaub DR, Xu XM. Protective effects of gonadal hormones on spinal motoneurons following spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:971-976. [PMID: 29926818 PMCID: PMC6022470 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.233434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in lesions that destroy tissue and disrupt spinal tracts, producing deficits in locomotor and autonomic function. The majority of treatment strategies after SCI have concentrated on the damaged spinal cord, for example working to reduce lesion size or spread, or encouraging regrowth of severed descending axonal projections through the lesion, hoping to re-establish synaptic connectivity with caudal targets. In our work, we have focused on a novel target for treatment after SCI, surviving spinal motoneurons and their target musculature, with the hope of developing effective treatments to preserve or restore lost function following SCI. We previously demonstrated that motoneurons, and the muscles they innervate, show pronounced atrophy after SCI. Importantly, SCI-induced atrophy of motoneuron dendrites can be attenuated by treatment with gonadal hormones, testosterone and its active metabolites, estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. Similarly, SCI-induced reductions in muscle fiber cross-sectional areas can be prevented by treatment with androgens. Together, these findings suggest that regressive changes in motoneuron and muscle morphology seen after SCI can be ameliorated by treatment with gonadal hormones, further supporting a role for steroid hormones as neurotherapeutic agents in the injured nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale R. Sengelaub
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Cristofani R, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cicardi ME, Meroni M, Licata NV, Sala G, Giorgetti E, Grunseich C, Galbiati M, Piccolella M, Messi E, Ferrarese C, Carra S, Poletti A. Inhibition of retrograde transport modulates misfolded protein accumulation and clearance in motoneuron diseases. Autophagy 2018; 13:1280-1303. [PMID: 28402699 PMCID: PMC5584856 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2017.1308985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Motoneuron diseases, like spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are associated with proteins that because of gene mutation or peculiar structures, acquire aberrant (misfolded) conformations toxic to cells. To prevent misfolded protein toxicity, cells activate a protein quality control (PQC) system composed of chaperones and degradative pathways (proteasome and autophagy). Inefficient activation of the PQC system results in misfolded protein accumulation that ultimately leads to neuronal cell death, while efficient macroautophagy/autophagy-mediated degradation of aggregating proteins is beneficial. The latter relies on an active retrograde transport, mediated by dynein and specific chaperones, such as the HSPB8-BAG3-HSPA8 complex. Here, using cellular models expressing aggregate-prone proteins involved in SBMA and ALS, we demonstrate that inhibition of dynein-mediated retrograde transport, which impairs the targeting to autophagy of misfolded species, does not increase their aggregation. Rather, dynein inhibition correlates with a reduced accumulation and an increased clearance of mutant ARpolyQ, SOD1, truncated TARDBP/TDP-43 and expanded polyGP C9ORF72 products. The enhanced misfolded protein clearance is mediated by the proteasome, rather than by autophagy and correlates with the upregulation of the HSPA8 cochaperone BAG1. In line, overexpression of BAG1 increases the proteasome-mediated clearance of these misfolded proteins. Our data suggest that when the misfolded proteins cannot be efficiently transported toward the perinuclear region of the cells, where they are either degraded by autophagy or stored into the aggresome, the cells activate a compensatory mechanism that relies on the induction of BAG1 to target the HSPA8-bound cargo to the proteasome in a dynein-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cristofani
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy.,b Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CRND) , IRCCS "C. Mondino" Istituto Nazionale Neurologico , Pavia , Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Marco Meroni
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Nausicaa V Licata
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Gessica Sala
- c School of Medicine and Surgery, NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience , University of Milano-Bicocca , Italy
| | - Elisa Giorgetti
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Christopher Grunseich
- d Neurogenetics Branch , National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- c School of Medicine and Surgery, NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience , University of Milano-Bicocca , Italy
| | - Serena Carra
- e Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze , Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Centro di Neuroscienze e Neurotecnologie , Modena , Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- a Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy.,f Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative , Università degli Studi di Firenze , Roma Tor Vergata and Milano. Genova , Italy
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25
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Sengelaub DR, Han Q, Liu NK, Maczuga MA, Szalavari V, Valencia SA, Xu XM. Protective Effects of Estradiol and Dihydrotestosterone following Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:825-841. [PMID: 29132243 PMCID: PMC5863086 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in lesions that destroy tissue and disrupt spinal tracts, producing deficits in locomotor and autonomic function. We previously demonstrated that motoneurons and the muscles they innervate show pronounced atrophy after SCI, and these changes are prevented by treatment with testosterone. Here, we assessed whether the testosterone active metabolites estradiol and dihydrotestosterone have similar protective effects after SCI. Young adult female rats received either sham or T9 spinal cord contusion injuries and were treated with estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, both, or nothing via Silastic capsules. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor testing was performed weekly and voiding behavior was assessed at 3 weeks post-injury. Four weeks after SCI, lesion volume and tissue sparing, quadriceps muscle fiber cross-sectional area, and motoneuron dendritic morphology were assessed. Spontaneous locomotor behavior improved after SCI, but hormone treatments had no effect. Voiding behavior was disrupted after SCI, but was significantly improved by treatment with either estradiol or dihydrotestosterone; combined treatment was maximally effective. Treatment with estradiol reduced lesion volume, but dihydrotestosterone alone and estradiol combined with dihydrotestosterone were ineffective. SCI-induced decreases in motoneuron dendritic length were attenuated by all hormone treatments. SCI-induced reductions in muscle fiber cross-sectional areas were prevented by treatment with either dihydrotestosterone or estradiol combined with dihydrotestosterone, but estradiol treatment was ineffective. These findings suggest that deficits in micturition and regressive changes in motoneuron and muscle morphology seen after SCI are ameliorated by treatment with estradiol or dihydrotestosterone, further supporting a role for steroid hormones as neurotherapeutic agents in the injured nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale R. Sengelaub
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Qi Han
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Melissa A. Maczuga
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Violetta Szalavari
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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26
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Sherman SP, Bang AG. High-throughput screen for compounds that modulate neurite growth of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.031906. [PMID: 29361516 PMCID: PMC5894944 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of technology platforms to perform compound screens of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons with relatively high throughput is essential to realize their potential for drug discovery. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of high-throughput screening of hiPSC-derived neurons using a high-content, image-based approach focused on neurite growth, a process that is fundamental to formation of neural networks and nerve regeneration. From a collection of 4421 bioactive small molecules, we identified 108 hit compounds, including 37 approved drugs, that target molecules or pathways known to regulate neurite growth, as well as those not previously associated with this process. These data provide evidence that many pathways and targets known to play roles in neurite growth have similar activities in hiPSC-derived neurons that can be identified in an unbiased phenotypic screen. The data also suggest that hiPSC-derived neurons provide a useful system to study the mechanisms of action and off-target activities of the approved drugs identified as hits, leading to a better understanding of their clinical efficacy and toxicity, especially in the context of specific human genetic backgrounds. Finally, the hit set we report constitutes a sublibrary of approved drugs and tool compounds that modulate neurites. This sublibrary will be invaluable for phenotypic analyses and interrogation of hiPSC-based disease models as probes for defining phenotypic differences and cellular vulnerabilities in patient versus control cells, as well as for investigations of the molecular mechanisms underlying human neurite growth in development and maintenance of neuronal networks, and nerve regeneration. Summary: High-throughput, small molecule screening of hiPSC-derived neurons using a high-content, image-based approach focused on neurite growth identified hit compounds, including approved drugs, which target molecules or pathways known to regulate neurite growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Sherman
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Anne G Bang
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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27
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Loucks EB, Huang YT, Agha G, Chu S, Eaton CB, Gilman SE, Buka SL, Kelsey KT. Epigenetic Mediators Between Childhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Mid-Life Body Mass Index: The New England Family Study. Psychosom Med 2017; 78:1053-1065. [PMID: 27768648 PMCID: PMC7380568 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with adulthood obesity risk; however, epigenetic mechanisms are poorly understood. This work's objective was to evaluate whether associations of childhood socioeconomic disadvantage with adulthood body mass index (BMI) are mediated by DNA methylation. METHODS Participants were 141 men and women from the New England Family Study, prospectively followed prenatally through a mean age of 47 years. Epigenomewide DNA methylation was evaluated in peripheral blood and adipose tissue obtained at adulthood, using the Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip. Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) at age 7 years was assessed directly from parents' reports. Offspring adiposity was directly assessed using BMI at a mean age of 47 years. Associations of SES, DNA methylation, and BMI were estimated using least square estimators. Statistical mediation analyses were performed using joint significance test and bootstrapping. RESULTS Of CpG sites significant at the 25% false discovery rate level in epigenomewide methylation BMI analyses, 91 sites in men and 71 sites in women were additionally significant for SES-methylation associations (p < .001) in adipose tissue. Many involved genes biologically relevant for development of obesity, including fatty acid synthase, transmembrane protein 88, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and neuritin 1. There was no evidence of epigenetic mediation in peripheral blood leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS DNA methylation at specific genes may be mediators of associations between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and mid-life BMI in adipose tissue. Findings motivate continued efforts to study if and how childhood socioeconomic disadvantage is biologically embedded at the level of the epigenome in regions etiologically relevant for adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B. Loucks
- Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yen-Tsung Huang
- Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Golareh Agha
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Su Chu
- Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Charles B. Eaton
- Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA
- Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Department of Family Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Stephen E. Gilman
- Health Behavior Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Rockville, MD, USA
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Stephen L. Buka
- Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Karl T. Kelsey
- Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA
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28
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Bojar I, Pinkas J, Gujski M, Owoc A, Raczkiewicz D, Gustaw-Rothenberg K. Postmenopausal cognitive changes and androgen levels in the context of apolipoprotein E polymorphism. Arch Med Sci 2017; 13:1148-1159. [PMID: 28883857 PMCID: PMC5575214 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2016.62869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The focus of this study was to assess cognitive functions in relation to androgens and specifically testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women as well as the correlation between cognitive functions and these two androgens according to polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). MATERIAL AND METHODS A group of 402 women was recruited to the study (minimum 2 years after the last menstruation, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) more than 30 U/ml and no dementia signs on Montreal Cognitive Assessment). The computerized battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. APOE genotyping was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Testosterone (TTE) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the blood serum were assessed for further statistical correlations analysis. RESULTS In the group of postmenopausal women, higher testosterone concentration was associated with lower scores for Neurocognition Index (NCI) (p = 0.028), memory (p = 0.008) and psychomotor speed (p < 0.001). Presence of at least one APOE ε4 allele potentiated testosterone's negative influence on cognitive functions (p < 0.05). Woman with a high normal level of DHEA scored significantly better in verbal (p = 0.027) and visual memory (p < 0.001) than other participants. APOE polymorphism did not modify the relationship between DHEA concentration and scores for cognitive functions. CONCLUSIONS Hormonal balance variations after menopause may influence brain processes concerned with cognition, especially memory and psychomotor speed. The observed effects may be related to androgens' influence on higher cortical functions in the changed hormonal dynamics of the postmenopausal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Bojar
- Department for Women Health, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Pinkas
- School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Gujski
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alfred Owoc
- Center for Public Health and Health Promotion, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Dorota Raczkiewicz
- Institute of Statistics and Demography, Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kasia Gustaw-Rothenberg
- Lou Ruvo Brain Wellness Center, Neurological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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29
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Yamaguchi A, Takanashi K. FUS interacts with nuclear matrix-associated protein SAFB1 as well as Matrin3 to regulate splicing and ligand-mediated transcription. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35195. [PMID: 27731383 PMCID: PMC5059712 DOI: 10.1038/srep35195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
FUS (Fused-in-Sarcoma) is a multifunctional DNA/RNA binding protein linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD). Since FUS is localized mainly in the nucleus with nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling, it is critical to understand physiological functions in the nucleus to clarify pathogenesis. Here we report a yeast two-hybrid screening identified FUS interaction with nuclear matrix-associated protein SAFB1 (scaffold attachment factor B1). FUS and SAFB1, abundant in chromatin-bound fraction, interact in a DNA-dependent manner. N-terminal SAP domain of SAFB1, a DNA-binding motif, was required for its localization to chromatin-bound fraction and splicing regulation. In addition, depletion of SAFB1 reduced FUS’s localization to chromatin-bound fraction and splicing activity, suggesting SAFB1 could tether FUS to chromatin compartment thorough N-terminal DNA-binding motif. FUS and SAFB1 also interact with Androgen Receptor (AR) regulating ligand-dependent transcription. Moreover, FUS interacts with another nuclear matrix-associated protein Matrin3, which is muted in a subset of familial ALS cases and reportedly interacts with TDP-43. Interestingly, ectopic ALS-linked FUS mutant sequestered endogenous Matrin3 and SAFB1 in the cytoplasmic aggregates. These findings indicate SAFB1 could be a FUS’s functional platform in chromatin compartment to regulate RNA splicing and ligand-dependent transcription and shed light on the etiological significance of nuclear matrix-associated proteins in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Takanashi
- Department of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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30
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Crippa V, Cicardi ME, Ramesh N, Seguin SJ, Ganassi M, Bigi I, Diacci C, Zelotti E, Baratashvili M, Gregory JM, Dobson CM, Cereda C, Pandey UB, Poletti A, Carra S. The chaperone HSPB8 reduces the accumulation of truncated TDP-43 species in cells and protects against TDP-43-mediated toxicity. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3908-3924. [PMID: 27466192 PMCID: PMC5291228 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of TAR-DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and of its fragments TDP-25 and TDP-35 occurs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-25 and TDP-35 act as seeds for TDP-43 aggregation, altering its function and exerting toxicity. Thus, inhibition of TDP-25 and TDP-35 aggregation and promotion of their degradation may protect against cellular damage. Upregulation of HSPB8 is one possible approach for this purpose, since this chaperone promotes the clearance of an ALS associated fragments of TDP-43 and is upregulated in the surviving motor neurones of transgenic ALS mice and human patients. We report that overexpression of HSPB8 in immortalized motor neurones decreased the accumulation of TDP-25 and TDP-35 and that protection against mislocalized/truncated TDP-43 was observed for HSPB8 in Drosophila melanogaster. Overexpression of HSP67Bc, the functional ortholog of human HSPB8, suppressed the eye degeneration caused by the cytoplasmic accumulation of a TDP-43 variant with a mutation in the nuclear localization signal (TDP-43-NLS). TDP-43-NLS accumulation in retinal cells was counteracted by HSP67Bc overexpression. According with this finding, downregulation of HSP67Bc increased eye degeneration, an effect that is consistent with the accumulation of high molecular weight TDP-43 species and ubiquitinated proteins. Moreover, we report a novel Drosophila model expressing TDP-35, and show that while TDP-43 and TDP-25 expression in the fly eyes causes a mild degeneration, TDP-35 expression leads to severe neurodegeneration as revealed by pupae lethality; the latter effect could be rescued by HSP67Bc overexpression. Collectively, our data demonstrate that HSPB8 upregulation mitigates TDP-43 fragment mediated toxicity, in mammalian neuronal cells and flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Crippa
- Genomic and post-Genomic Center, C. Mondino National Institute of Neurology Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Nandini Ramesh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Samuel J Seguin
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuronal Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Ganassi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuronal Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bigi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuronal Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Diacci
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuronal Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Zelotti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuronal Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Madina Baratashvili
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jenna M Gregory
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and post-Genomic Center, C. Mondino National Institute of Neurology Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Carra
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuronal Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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31
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Bott LC, Salomons FA, Maric D, Liu Y, Merry D, Fischbeck KH, Dantuma NP. The polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor responsible for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy inhibits the APC/C(Cdh1) ubiquitin ligase complex. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27703. [PMID: 27312068 PMCID: PMC4911547 DOI: 10.1038/srep27703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) causes spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), an X-linked neuromuscular disease that is fully manifest only in males. It has been suggested that proteins with expanded polyglutamine tracts impair ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis due to their propensity to aggregate, but recent studies indicate that the overall activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is preserved in SBMA models. Here we report that AR selectively interferes with the function of the ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which, together with its substrate adaptor Cdh1, is critical for cell cycle arrest and neuronal architecture. We show that both wild-type and mutant AR physically interact with the APC/CCdh1 complex in a ligand-dependent fashion without being targeted for proteasomal degradation. Inhibition of APC/CCdh1 by mutant but not wild-type AR in PC12 cells results in enhanced neurite outgrowth which is typically followed by rapid neurite retraction and mitotic entry. Our data indicate a role of AR in neuronal differentiation through regulation of APC/CCdh1 and suggest abnormal cell cycle reactivation as a pathogenic mechanism in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Bott
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden.,National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Neurogenetics Branch, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Florian A Salomons
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Diane Merry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Kenneth H Fischbeck
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Neurogenetics Branch, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nico P Dantuma
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
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32
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Fuxjager MJ, Schuppe ER, Hoang J, Chew J, Shah M, Schlinger BA. Expression of 5α- and 5β-reductase in spinal cord and muscle of birds with different courtship repertoires. Front Zool 2016; 13:25. [PMID: 27293470 PMCID: PMC4901407 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-016-0156-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Through the actions of one or more isoforms of the enzyme 5α-reductase in many male reproductive tissues, circulating testosterone (T) undergoes metabolic conversion into 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds to and activates androgen receptors (AR) with greater potency than T. In birds, T is also subject to local inactivation into 5β-DHT by the enzyme 5β-reductase. Male golden-collared manakins perform an androgen-dependent and physically elaborate courtship display, and these birds express androgen receptors in skeletal muscles and spinal cord at levels far greater than those expressed in species with more limited courtship routines, including male zebra finches. To determine if local T metabolism facilitates or impedes activation of male manakin courtship, we examined expression of two isoforms of 5α-reductase, as well as 5β-reductase, in forelimb muscles and spinal cords of males and females of the two aforementioned species. Results We found that all enzymes were expressed in all tissues, with patterns that partially predict a functional role for 5α-reductase in these birds, especially in both muscle and spinal cord of male manakins. Moreover, we found that 5β-reductase was markedly different between species, with far lower levels in golden-collared manakins, compared to zebra finches. Thus, modification to neuromuscular deactivation of T may also play a functional role in adaptive behavioral modulation. Conclusions Given that such a role for 5α-reductase in androgen-sensitive mammalian skeletal muscle is in dispute, our data suggest that, in birds, local metabolism may play a key role in providing active androgenic substrates to peripheral neuromuscular systems. Similarly, we provide the first evidence that 5β-reductase is expressed broadly through an organism and may be an important factor that regulates androgenic modulation of neuromuscular functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Fuxjager
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, 228 Winston Hall, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 USA ; Center for Molecular Communication and Signaling, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, USA
| | - Eric R Schuppe
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, 228 Winston Hall, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 USA
| | - John Hoang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jennifer Chew
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Mital Shah
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Barney A Schlinger
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA ; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA ; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA ; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama
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Siddiqui AN, Siddiqui N, Khan RA, Kalam A, Jabir NR, Kamal MA, Firoz CK, Tabrez S. Neuroprotective Role of Steroidal Sex Hormones: An Overview. CNS Neurosci Ther 2016; 22:342-50. [PMID: 27012165 PMCID: PMC6492877 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone are the well-known steroidal sex hormones, which have been reported to have "nonreproductive "effects in the brain, specifically in the neuroprotection and neurotrophy. In the last one decade, there has been a surge in the research on the role of these hormones in neuroprotection and their positive impact on different brain injuries. The said interest has been sparked by a desire to understand the action and mechanisms of these steroidal sex hormones throughout the body. The aim of this article was to highlight the potential outcome of the steroidal hormones, viz. progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone in terms of their role in neuroprotection and other brain injuries. Their possible mechanism of action at both genomic and nongenomic level will be also discussed. As far as our knowledge goes, we are for the first time reporting neuroprotective effect and possible mechanism of action of these hormones in a single article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Nasir Siddiqui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Nahida Siddiqui
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashid Ali Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Abul Kalam
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Nasimudeen R Jabir
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Shams Tabrez
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Transcriptional induction of the heat shock protein B8 mediates the clearance of misfolded proteins responsible for motor neuron diseases. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22827. [PMID: 26961006 PMCID: PMC4785366 DOI: 10.1038/srep22827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are often associated with the presence of misfolded protein inclusions. The chaperone HSPB8 is upregulated in mice, the human brain and muscle structures affected during NDs progression. HSPB8 exerts a potent pro-degradative activity on several misfolded proteins responsible for familial NDs forms. Here, we demonstrated that HSPB8 also counteracts accumulation of aberrantly localized misfolded forms of TDP-43 and its 25 KDa fragment involved in most sporadic cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (sALS) and of Fronto Lateral Temporal Dementia (FLTD). HSPB8 acts with BAG3 and the HSP70/HSC70-CHIP complex enhancing the autophagic removal of misfolded proteins. We performed a high-through put screening (HTS) to find small molecules capable of inducing HSPB8 in neurons for therapeutic purposes. We identified two compounds, colchicine and doxorubicin, that robustly up-regulated HSPB8 expression. Both colchicine and doxorubicin increased the expression of the master regulator of autophagy TFEB, the autophagy linker p62/SQSTM1 and the autophagosome component LC3. In line, both drugs counteracted the accumulation of TDP-43 and TDP-25 misfolded species responsible for motoneuronal death in sALS. Thus, analogs of colchicine and doxorubicin able to induce HSPB8 and with better safety and tolerability may result beneficial in NDs models.
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Moghadami S, Jahanshahi M, Sepehri H, Amini H. Gonadectomy reduces the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in male rat's hippocampus: testosterone replacement compensates it. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2016; 12:5. [PMID: 26822779 PMCID: PMC4730763 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-016-0089-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the present study, the role of gonadectomy on memory impairment and the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in rats' hippocampus as well as the ability of testosterone to compensate of memory and the density of androgen receptors in the hippocampus was evaluated. METHODS Adult male rats (except intact-no testosterone group) were bilaterally castrated, and behavioral tests performed 2 weeks later. Animals bilaterally cannulated into lateral ventricles and then received testosterone (10, 40 and 120 µg/0.5 µl DMSO) or vehicle (DMSO; 0.5 µl) for gonadectomized-vehicle group, 30 min before training in water maze test. The androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons were detected by immunohistochemical technique in the hippocampal areas. RESULTS In the gonadectomized male rats, a memory deficit was found in Morris water maze test on test day (5th day) after DMSO administration. Gonadectomy decreased density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in the rats' hippocampus. The treatment with testosterone daily for 5 days attenuated memory deficits induced by gonadectomy. Testosterone also significantly increased the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampal areas. The intermediate dose of this hormone (40 µg) appeared to have a significant effect on spatial memory and the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in gonadectomized rats' hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that testosterone can compensate memory failure in gonadectomized rats. Also testosterone replacement can compensate the reduction of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons density in the rats' hippocampus after gonadectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Moghadami
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Km 4 Gorgan-Sari Road (Shastcola), P.O. Box 4934174515, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Jahanshahi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Km 4 Gorgan-Sari Road (Shastcola), P.O. Box 4934174515, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Hamid Sepehri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Hossein Amini
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
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Peri A. Neuroprotective effects of estrogens: the role of cholesterol. J Endocrinol Invest 2016; 39:11-8. [PMID: 26084445 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-015-0332-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that estrogens have protective effects in the brain. Nevertheless, their potential role against neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), is still a matter of debate. The identification of the seladin-1 gene (for SELective Alzheimer's Disease INdicator-1), which appeared to be significantly less expressed in brain region affected in AD, opened a new scenario in the field of neuroprotective mechanisms. Seladin-1 was found to have neuroprotective properties through its anti-apoptotic activity. In addition, it was subsequently demonstrated that seladin-1 also has enzymatic activity, because it catalyzes the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol. Several studies have shown that an appropriate amount of membrane cholesterol plays a pivotal role to protect nerve cells against β-amyloid toxicity in AD and to counteract the synthesis of β-amyloid. METHODS AND RESULTS We demonstrated that the expression of seladin-1, as well as the synthesis of cell cholesterol, is stimulated by estrogens in human neuronal precursor cells. Cholesterol enriched cells became more resistant against oxidative stress and β-amyloid toxicity. We thus hypothesized that seladin-1 might be a mediator of the neuroprotective effects of estrogens. Indeed, in cells in which seladin-1 gene expression had been silenced by siRNA the protective effects of estrogens were lost. This finding indicates that seladin-1 is a crucial mediator of the neuroprotective effects of these hormones, at least in our cell model. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these results establish a new link between estrogens and cholesterol, which is represented by the neuroprotective factor seladin-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Peri
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Experimental and Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders for the Development of Novel Therapies, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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Zboray L, Pluciennik A, Curtis D, Liu Y, Berman-Booty LD, Orr C, Kesler CT, Berger T, Gioeli D, Paschal BM, Merry DE. Preventing the Androgen Receptor N/C Interaction Delays Disease Onset in a Mouse Model of SBMA. Cell Rep 2015; 13:2312-23. [PMID: 26673324 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) and is associated with misfolding and aggregation of the mutant AR. We investigated the role of an interdomain interaction between the amino (N)-terminal FxxLF motif and carboxyl (C)-terminal AF-2 domain in a mouse model of SBMA. Male transgenic mice expressing polyQ-expanded AR with a mutation in the FxxLF motif (F23A) to prevent the N/C interaction displayed substantially improved motor function compared with N/C-intact AR-expressing mice and showed reduced pathological features of SBMA. Serine 16 phosphorylation was substantially enhanced by the F23A mutation; moreover, the protective effect of AR F23A was dependent on this phosphorylation. These results reveal an important role for the N/C interaction on disease onset in mice and suggest that targeting AR conformation could be a therapeutic strategy for patients with SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Zboray
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Anna Pluciennik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Dana Curtis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Lisa D Berman-Booty
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Christopher Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Cristina T Kesler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia Health System, Center for Cell Signaling, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Tamar Berger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Daniel Gioeli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Bryce M Paschal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia Health System, Center for Cell Signaling, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Diane E Merry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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Jian-xin J, Cheng-li C, Song W, Yan XS, Huo DS, Wang H, Yang ZJ. Effects of Testosterone Treatment on Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior in Senescence Accelerated Mice. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2015; 78:1311-1320. [PMID: 26529502 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2015.1085839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Learning and memory are known to be influenced by circulating sex steroidal hormones and these behavioral processes are diminished in aging. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the mechanism underlying testosterone-induced effects on cognitive performance in the senescence accelerated mouse P8 (SAMP8) model. Treatment with testosterone (T) as evidenced by the Morris water maze test produced a significantly shorter escape latency and reduced path length to reach the platform compared to the control (C). No significant differences were noted in mean swim speed among all groups. During the probe trials, the T group spent a significantly greater percent of time in the target quadrant and improved the number of platform crossings. Flutamide (F), an antiandrogen, significantly inhibited the effects of T on behavioral and memory performances indicators. Following Nissl staining, the number of intact pyramidal cells was markedly elevated in the treated mice, and this effect was blocked by F. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of NMDAR1, SYN, and p-CREC/CREB protein levels were significantly increased in the T group, while F inhibited the T-mediated effects. Western blot analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the expression levels of SYN, p-CREC/CREB, and NMDAR1 between C, F, and F + T groups. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the mRNA expression levels of NMDAR1 and SYN were significantly increased in T-administered mice, while F inhibited the T-mediated effects. Data suggest that the T-mediated increase in SYN expression levels resulted in improvement in behavioral performances and learning, which may involve stimulation of central nervous system androgen receptors (AR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jian-xin
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner , Mongolia , China
| | - Cui Cheng-li
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner , Mongolia , China
| | - Wei Song
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner , Mongolia , China
| | - Xu-sheng Yan
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner , Mongolia , China
| | - Dong-sheng Huo
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner , Mongolia , China
| | - He Wang
- b School of Health Sciences , University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Australia
| | - Zhan-jun Yang
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner , Mongolia , China
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Aberrant Autophagic Response in The Muscle of A Knock-in Mouse Model of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15174. [PMID: 26490709 PMCID: PMC4614888 DOI: 10.1038/srep15174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is characterized by loss of motoneurons and sensory neurons, accompanied by atrophy of muscle cells. SBMA is due to an androgen receptor containing a polyglutamine tract (ARpolyQ) that misfolds and aggregates, thereby perturbing the protein quality control (PQC) system. Using SBMA AR113Q mice we analyzed proteotoxic stress-induced alterations of HSPB8-mediated PQC machinery promoting clearance of misfolded proteins by autophagy. In muscle of symptomatic AR113Q male mice, we found expression upregulation of Pax-7, myogenin, E2-ubiquitin ligase UBE2Q1 and acetylcholine receptor (AchR), but not of MyoD, and of two E3-ligases (MuRF-1 and Cullin3). TGFβ1 and PGC-1α were also robustly upregulated. We also found a dramatic perturbation of the autophagic response, with upregulation of most autophagic markers (Beclin-1, ATG10, p62/SQSTM1, LC3) and of the HSPB8-mediated PQC response. Both HSPB8 and its co-chaperone BAG3 were robustly upregulated together with other specific HSPB8 interactors (HSPB2 and HSPB3). Notably, the BAG3:BAG1 ratio increased in muscle suggesting preferential misfolded proteins routing to autophagy rather than to proteasome. Thus, mutant ARpolyQ induces a potent autophagic response in muscle cells. Alteration in HSPB8-based PQC machinery may represent muscle-specific biomarkers useful to assess SBMA progression in mice and patients in response to pharmacological treatments.
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Reddy RC, Amodei R, Estill CT, Stormshak F, Meaker M, Roselli CE. Effect of Testosterone on Neuronal Morphology and Neuritic Growth of Fetal Lamb Hypothalamus-Preoptic Area and Cerebral Cortex in Primary Culture. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129521. [PMID: 26053052 PMCID: PMC4460015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone plays an essential role in sexual differentiation of the male sheep brain. The ovine sexually dimorphic nucleus (oSDN), is 2 to 3 times larger in males than in females, and this sex difference is under the control of testosterone. The effect of testosterone on oSDN volume may result from enhanced expansion of soma areas and/or dendritic fields. To test this hypothesis, cells derived from the hypothalamus-preoptic area (HPOA) and cerebral cortex (CTX) of lamb fetuses were grown in primary culture to examine the direct morphological effects of testosterone on these cellular components. We found that within two days of plating, neurons derived from both the HPOA and CTX extend neuritic processes and express androgen receptors and aromatase immunoreactivity. Both treated and control neurites continue to grow and branch with increasing time in culture. Treatment with testosterone (10 nM) for 3 days significantly (P < 0.05) increased both total neurite outgrowth (35%) and soma size (8%) in the HPOA and outgrowth (21%) and number of branch points (33%) in the CTX. These findings indicate that testosterone-induced somal enlargement and neurite outgrowth in fetal lamb neurons may contribute to the development of a fully masculine sheep brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika C. Reddy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Rebecka Amodei
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Charles T. Estill
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Fred Stormshak
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Mary Meaker
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Charles E. Roselli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pesaresi M, Soon-Shiong R, French L, Kaplan DR, Miller FD, Paus T. Axon diameter and axonal transport: In vivo and in vitro effects of androgens. Neuroimage 2015; 115:191-201. [PMID: 25956809 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Testosterone is a sex hormone involved in brain maturation via multiple molecular mechanisms. Previous human studies described age-related changes in the overall volume and structural properties of white matter during male puberty. Based on this work, we have proposed that testosterone may induce a radial growth of the axon and, possibly, modulate axonal transport. In order to determine whether this is the case we have used two different experimental approaches. With electron microscopy, we have evaluated sex differences in the structural properties of axons in the corpus callosum (splenium) of young rats, and tested consequences of castration carried out after weaning. Then we examined in vitro the effect of the non-aromatizable androgen Mibolerone on the structure and bidirectional transport of wheat-germ agglutinin vesicles in the axons of cultured sympathetic neurons. With electron microscopy, we found robust sex differences in axonal diameter (males>females) and g ratio (males>females). Removal of endogenous testosterone by castration was associated with lower axon diameter and lower g ratio in castrated (vs. intact) males. In vitro, Mibolerone influenced the axonal transport in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and increased the axon caliber as compared with vehicle-treated neurons. These findings are consistent with the role of testosterone in shaping the axon by regulating its radial growth, as predicted by the initial human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pesaresi
- Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - R Soon-Shiong
- Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - L French
- Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - D R Kaplan
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - F D Miller
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - T Paus
- Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1, Canada.
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Pangelinan MM, Leonard G, Perron M, Pike GB, Richer L, Veillette S, Pausova Z, Paus T. Puberty and testosterone shape the corticospinal tract during male adolescence. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 221:1083-94. [PMID: 25503450 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0956-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Some of the known sex differences in white matter emerge during adolescence. Here, we replicate and extend our previous findings of sex differences in the structure of the corticospinal tract (Perrin et al. 2009; Hervé et al. 2009). In a large normative sample of adolescents, we observed age × sex interactions in the signal intensity of T1-weighted (T1W) images (n = 941) and in magnetization transfer ratio (MTR; n = 761); both features were inversely associated with age in males but not in females. Moreover, we hypothesized that the age-related differences in CST structure exhibited by males would be mediated by differences in puberty stage and levels of bioavailable testosterone. We confirmed this prediction using mediation analysis with bootstrapping. These findings suggest that sex differences in the CST structure observed during male adolescence may be due to multiple processes associated with puberty, including (but not limited to) the rising levels of testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Pangelinan
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - Gabriel Leonard
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Michel Perron
- ECOBES, Céjep de Jonquière, 2505 Rue Saint Hubert, Jonquière, QC, G7X 3W1, Canada
- Département des Sciences de la Santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - G Bruce Pike
- Faculty of Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Louis Richer
- Département des Sciences de la Santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Suzanne Veillette
- ECOBES, Céjep de Jonquière, 2505 Rue Saint Hubert, Jonquière, QC, G7X 3W1, Canada
- Département des Sciences de la Santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Zdenka Pausova
- The Hospital of Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Tomáš Paus
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 2E1, Canada.
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada.
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Giorgetti E, Rusmini P, Crippa V, Cristofani R, Boncoraglio A, Cicardi ME, Galbiati M, Poletti A. Synergic prodegradative activity of Bicalutamide and trehalose on the mutant androgen receptor responsible for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:64-75. [PMID: 25122660 PMCID: PMC4262493 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked motoneuron disease due to a CAG triplet-repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, which is translated into an elongated polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in AR protein (ARpolyQ). ARpolyQ toxicity is activated by the AR ligand testosterone (or dihydrotestosterone), and the polyQ triggers ARpolyQ misfolding and aggregation in spinal cord motoneurons and muscle cells. In motoneurons, testosterone triggers nuclear toxicity by inducing AR nuclear translocation. Thus, (i) prevention of ARpolyQ nuclear localization, combined with (ii) an increased ARpolyQ cytoplasmic clearance, should reduce its detrimental activity. Using the antiandrogen Bicalutamide (Casodex®), which slows down AR activation and nuclear translocation, and the disaccharide trehalose, an autophagy activator, we found that, in motoneurons, the two compounds together reduced ARpolyQ insoluble forms with higher efficiency than that obtained with single treatments. The ARpolyQ clearance was mediated by trehalose-induced autophagy combined with the longer cytoplasmic retention of ARpolyQ bound to Bicalutamide. This allows an increased recognition of misfolded species by the autophagic system prior to their migration into the nucleus. Interestingly, the combinatory use of trehalose and Bicalutamide was also efficient in the removal of insoluble species of AR with a very long polyQ (Q112) tract, which typically aggregates into the cell nuclei. Collectively, these data suggest that the combinatory use of Bicalutamide and trehalose is a novel approach to facilitate ARpolyQ clearance that has to be tested in other cell types target of SBMA (i.e. muscle cells) and in vivo in animal models of SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giorgetti
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA and
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Alessandra Boncoraglio
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center of Groningen, RB 9700 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria E Cicardi
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Sezione di Biomedicina ed Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Genova e Roma Tor Vergata, Milano 20133, Italy
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Choi Y, Lee K, Ryu J, Kim HG, Jeong AY, Woo RS, Lee JH, Hyun JW, Hahn S, Kim JH, Kim HS. Neuritin attenuates cognitive function impairments in tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104121. [PMID: 25101829 PMCID: PMC4125179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuritin, also known as CPG15, is a neurotrophic factor that was initially discovered in a screen to identify genes involved in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Neuritin plays multiple roles in the process of neural development and synaptic plasticity, although its binding receptor(s) and downstream signaling effectors remain unclear. In this study, we found that the cortical and hippocampal expression of neuritin is reduced in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and demonstrated that viral-mediated expression of neuritin in the dentate gyrus of 13-month-old Tg2576 mice, an AD animal model, attenuated a deficit in learning and memory as assessed by a Morris water maze test. We also found that neuritin restored the reduction in dendritic spine density and the maturity of individual spines in primary hippocampal neuron cultures prepared from Tg2576 mice. It was also shown that viral-mediated expression of neuritin in the dentate gyrus of 7-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Taken together, our results demonstrate that neuritin restores the reduction in dendritic spine density and the maturity of individual spines in primary hippocampal neurons from Tg2576 neurons, and also attenuates cognitive function deficits in Tg2576 mouse model of AD, suggesting that neuritin possesses a therapeutic potential for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoori Choi
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihwan Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- National Research Laboratory for Pain, Dental Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghwa Ryu
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoun Geun Kim
- Department of Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - A Young Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Ran-Sook Woo
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Lee
- Department of Emergency Medical Technology, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Won Hyun
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokyung Hahn
- Medical Research Collaborating Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joung-Hun Kim
- Department of Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (J-HK); (H-SK)
| | - Hye-Sun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Sungnam, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (J-HK); (H-SK)
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Gao R, Wang L, Sun J, Nie K, Jian H, Gao L, Liao X, Zhang H, Huang J, Gan S. MiR-204 promotes apoptosis in oxidative stress-induced rat Schwann cells by suppressing neuritin
expression. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:3225-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Di Loreto C, La Marra F, Mazzon G, Belgrano E, Trombetta C, Cauci S. Immunohistochemical evaluation of androgen receptor and nerve structure density in human prepuce from patients with persistent sexual side effects after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100237. [PMID: 24959691 PMCID: PMC4069023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Finasteride is an inhibitor of 5-α-reductase used against male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Reported side effects of finasteride comprise sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and loss of libido. Recently these effects were described as persistent in some subjects. Molecular events inducing persistent adverse sexual symptoms are unexplored. This study was designed as a retrospective case-control study to assess if androgen receptor (AR) and nerve density in foreskin prepuce specimens were associated with persistent sexual side effects including loss of sensitivity in the genital area due to former finasteride use against AGA. Cases were 8 males (aged 29–43 years) reporting sexual side effects including loss of penis sensitivity over 6 months after discontinuation of finasteride who were interviewed and clinically visited. After informed consent they were invited to undergo a small excision of skin from prepuce. Controls were 11 otherwise healthy matched men (aged 23–49 years) who undergone circumcision for phimosis, and who never took finasteride or analogues. Differences in AR expression and nerve density in different portions of dermal prepuce were evaluated in the 2 groups. Density of nuclear AR in stromal and epithelial cells was higher in cases (mean 40.0%, and 80.6% of positive cells, respectively) than controls (mean 23.4%, and 65.0% of positive cells, respectively), P = 0.023 and P = 0.043, respectively. Conversely, percentage of vessel smooth muscle cells positive for AR and density of nerves were similar in the 2 groups. The ratio of AR positive stromal cells % to serum testosterone concentrations was 2-fold higher in cases than in controls (P = 0.001). Our findings revealed that modulation of local AR levels might be implicated in long-term side effects of finasteride use. This provides the first evidence of a molecular objective difference between patients with long-term adverse sexual effects after finasteride use versus drug untreated healthy controls in certain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Di Loreto
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco La Marra
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giorgio Mazzon
- Urological Hospital Department, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuele Belgrano
- Urological Hospital Department, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlo Trombetta
- Urological Hospital Department, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabina Cauci
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Shimada T, Sugiura H, Yamagata K. Neuritin: A therapeutic candidate for promoting axonal regeneration. World J Neurol 2013; 3:138-143. [DOI: 10.5316/wjn.v3.i4.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Following injury, the axons of the mammalian central nervous system do not regenerate. Many studies have aimed at understanding the mechanisms that prevent axonal regeneration and at designing ways to overcome the obstacles preventing axonal regrowth. These studies have identified numerous proteins as promoters of axonal regeneration. In this minireviews, we focus on neuritin as a therapeutic candidate for promoting axonal regeneration. Neuritin was first identified as a neuronal-activity-inducible gene product in the rat brain. The overexpression of neuritin in neurons or the application of neuritin to neurons induces neuritogenesis, neurite arborization, and axonal elongation both in vitro and in vivo. These morphological changes are often observed during the first step of axonal regeneration. Indeed, neuritin expression increases during axonal regeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Conversely, in a mouse model of diabetes mellitus, neuritin expression decreases in the PNS, and this reduced expression may result in deficient axonal regeneration. Neuritin is induced in the hippocampal dentate gyrus after temporal lobe epilepsy or brain ischemia; however, in these conditions, neuritin induction may exacerbate brain dysfunction through mossy fiber sprouting. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that tightly controlled regulation of neuritin may be required for the treatment of each unique axonal pathology.
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He Y, Yang G, Wang Y, Ren Y, He** X, Zhang X, Fei Z. Expression of candidate plasticity-related gene 15 is increased following traumatic brain injury. Neurol Res 2013; 35:174-80. [PMID: 23336599 DOI: 10.1179/1743132812y.0000000134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yalong He
- Department of NeurosurgeryTeaching and Research Administration, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guitao Yang
- Department of MedicalTeaching and Research Administration, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yangang Wang
- Department of NeurosurgeryTeaching and Research Administration, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yi Ren
- Neurosciences Graduate ProgramUniversity of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiaosheng He**
- Department of NeurosurgeryTeaching and Research Administration, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryTeaching and Research Administration, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhou Fei
- Department of NeurosurgeryTeaching and Research Administration, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Williams CR, Gallagher EP. Effects of cadmium on olfactory mediated behaviors and molecular biomarkers in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 140-141:295-302. [PMID: 23851056 PMCID: PMC3770528 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory system of salmonids is sensitive to the adverse effects of metals such as copper and cadmium. In the current study, we analyzed olfactory-mediated alarm responses, epithelial injury and recovery, and a suite of olfactory molecular biomarkers encoding genes critical in maintaining olfactory function in juvenile coho salmon receiving acute exposures to cadmium (Cd). The molecular biomarkers analyzed included four G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) representing the two major classes of odorant receptors (salmon olfactory receptor sorb and vomeronasal receptors svra, svrb, and gpr27), as well as markers of neurite outgrowth (nrn1) and antioxidant responses to metals, including heme oxygenase 1 (hmox1), and peroxiredoxin 1 (prdx1). Coho received acute (8-168 h) exposures to 3.7 ppb and 347 ppb Cd, and a subset of fish was analyzed following a 16-day depuration. Coho exposed to 347 ppb Cd over 48 h exhibited a reduction in freeze responses, and an extensive loss of olfaction accompanied by histological injury to the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory injury in coho exposed to 347 ppb Cd was accompanied at the gene level by significant decreases in expression of the olfactory GPCRs and increased expression of hmox1. Persistent behavioral deficits, histological injury and altered expression of a subset of olfactory biomarkers were still evident in Cd-exposed coho following a 16-day depuration in clean water. Exposure to 3.7 ppb Cd also resulted in reduced freeze responses and histological changes to the olfactory epithelium within 48 h of Cd exposure, although the extent of olfactory injury was less severe than observed for fish in the high dose Cd group. Furthermore adverse behavioral effects were present in some coho receiving the low dose of Cd following a 16-day depuration. In summary, acute exposures to environmental levels of Cd can cause olfactory injury in coho salmon that may persist following depuration. Mechanism-based biomarkers of oxidative stress and olfactory structures can augment the evaluation of olfactory injury manifested at the physiological level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chase R. Williams
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105-6099
| | - Evan P. Gallagher
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105-6099
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Rusmini P, Crippa V, Giorgetti E, Boncoraglio A, Cristofani R, Carra S, Poletti A. Clearance of the mutant androgen receptor in motoneuronal models of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 34:2585-603. [PMID: 23810450 PMCID: PMC3748343 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked motoneuron disease caused by an abnormal expansion of a tandem CAG repeat in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene that results in an abnormally long polyglutamine tract (polyQ) in the AR protein. As a result, the mutant AR (ARpolyQ) misfolds, forming cytoplasmic and nuclear aggregates in the affected neurons. Neurotoxicity only appears to be associated with the formation of nuclear aggregates. Thus, improved ARpolyQ cytoplasmic clearance, which indirectly decreases ARpolyQ nuclear accumulation, has beneficial effects on affected motoneurons. In addition, increased ARpolyQ clearance contributes to maintenance of motoneuron proteostasis and viability, preventing the blockage of the proteasome and autophagy pathways that might play a role in the neuropathy in SBMA. The expression of heat shock protein B8 (HspB8), a member of the small heat shock protein family, is highly induced in surviving motoneurons of patients affected by motoneuron diseases, where it seems to participate in the stress response aimed at cell protection. We report here that HspB8 facilitates the autophagic removal of misfolded aggregating species of ARpolyQ. In addition, though HspB8 does not influence p62 and LC3 (two key autophagic molecules) expression, it does prevent p62 bodies formation, and restores the normal autophagic flux in these cells. Interestingly, trehalose, a well-known autophagy stimulator, induces HspB8 expression, suggesting that HspB8 might act as one of the molecular mediators of the proautophagic activity of trehalose. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that treatments aimed at restoring a normal autophagic flux that result in the more efficient clearance of mutant ARpolyQ might produce beneficial effects in SBMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rusmini
- Sezione di Biomedicina e Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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