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Sun S, Zhang T, Liu L, Zhou H, Yin P, Wang L. Maresin1 restrains chronic inflammation and Aβ production to ameliorate Alzheimer's disease via modulating ADAM10/17 and its associated neuroprotective signal pathways: a pilot study. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 759:110109. [PMID: 39117070 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.110109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is an important pathogenetic factor that leads to the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) play critical role in regulating inflammatory responses during AD pathogenesis. Maresin1 (MaR1) is the latest discovered SPMs, and it is found that MaR1 improves AD cognitive impairment by regulating neurotrophic pathways to protect AD synapses and reduce Aβ production, which made MaR1 as candidate agent for AD treatment. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms are still largely known. In this study, the AD mice and cellular models were subjected to MaR1 treatment, and we found that MaR1 reduced Aβ production to ameliorate AD-related symptoms and increased the expression levels of ADAM10/17, sAPPα and sAPPβ to exert its anti-inflammatory role. In addition, as it was determined by Western Blot analysis, we observed that MaR1 could affected the neuroprotective signal pathways. Specifically, MaR1 downregulated p57NTR and upregulated TrkA to activate the p75NTR/TrkA signal pathway, and it could increase the expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt, and downregulated p-mTOR to activate the PI3K/AKT/ERK/mTOR pathway. Finally, we verified the role of ADAM10/17 in regulating AD progression, and we found that silencing of ADAM10/17 inactivated the above neuroprotective signal pathways to aggravate AD pathogenesis. In conclusion, MaR1 is verified as potential therapeutic agent for AD by eliminating Aβ production, upregulating ADAM10/17, sAPPα and sAPPβ, and activating the neuroprotective p75NTR/TrkA pathway and the PI3K/AKT/ERK/mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Sun
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150036, China; Department of Neurology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, China.
| | - Ting Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Huimin Zhou
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
| | - Ping Yin
- Department of Neurology, Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Lihua Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150036, China.
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Bregman-Yemini N, Nitzan K, Franko M, Doron R. Connecting the emotional-cognitive puzzle: The role of tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) receptor isoform imbalance in age-related emotional and cognitive impairments. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102349. [PMID: 38823488 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Age-related cognitive and affective disorders pose significant public health challenges. Notably, emotional and cognitive symptoms co-occur across multiple age-associated conditions like normal aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. While the intricate interplay underlying this relationship remains poorly understood, this article highlights the possibility that an imbalance between full-length (TrkB.FL) and truncated (TrkB.T1) isoforms of tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB in the neurotrophic system may significantly affect age-associated emotional and cognitive functions, by altering brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, integral to neuronal health, cognitive functions and mood regulation. While the contribution of this imbalance to pathogenesis awaits full elucidation, this review evaluates its potential mediating role, linking emotional and cognitive decline across age-related disorders The interplay between TrkB.T1 and TrkB.FL isoforms may be considered as a pivotal shared regulator underlying this complex relationship. The current review aims to synthesize current knowledge on TrkB isoform imbalance, specifically its contribution to age-related cognitive decline and mood disorders. By examining shared pathogenic pathways between aging, cognitive decline, and mood disorders through the lens of TrkB signaling, this review uncovers potential therapeutic targets not previously considered, offering a fresh perspective on combating age-related mental health issues as well as cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Bregman-Yemini
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University, Israel; Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University, Israel
| | - Keren Nitzan
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University, Israel
| | - Motty Franko
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University, Israel; Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
| | - Ravid Doron
- Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University, Israel.
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Guo J, Cao Y, Zhang T, Xu C, Liu Z, Li W, Wang Q. Multisensory Fusion Training and 7, 8-Dihydroxyflavone Improve Amyloid-β-Induced Cognitive Impairment, Anxiety, and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice Through Multiple Mechanisms. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2024; 20:1247-1270. [PMID: 38883414 PMCID: PMC11180438 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s459891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is growing interest in the role of physical activity in patients with of Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly regarding its impact of cognitive function, gut microbiota, metabolites, and neurotrophic factors. Objective To investigate the impact of multisensory fusion training (MSFT) combined with 7, 8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) on the behavioral characteristics, protein expression, microbiome, and serum metabolome using the AD model in mice induced with amyloid-β (Aβ). Methods We assessed cognitive ability, anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in Aβ mice using behavioral measures. Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of relevant proteins. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics were used to analyze changes in the intestinal microbial composition and serum metabolic profile, respectively, of Aβ mice. Results The behavioral outcomes indicated that a 4-week intervention combining DHF and MSFT yielded remarkable improvements in cognitive function and reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in Aβ mice. In the hippocampus of Aβ mice, the combined intervention increased the levels of BDNF, VGF, PSD-95, Nrf2, p-GSK3β and p-CREB proteins. Analyses of sequence and metabolomic data revealed that Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae were remarkably more abundant following the combined intervention, influencing the expression of specific metabolites directly linked to the maintenance of neuronal and neurobehavioral functions. These metabolites play a crucial role in vital processes, such as amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and neurotransmitter metabolism in mice. Conclusion Our study highlighted that MSFT combined with DHF improves cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression-like behavior in Aβ mice through multiple mechanisms, and further validated the correlation between the gut microbiome and serum metabolome. These findings open up a promising avenue for future investigations into potential treatment strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiejie Guo
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, NBU Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Taizhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurology, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Taizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanzi Cao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, NBU Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Taizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunshuang Xu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, NBU Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhitao Liu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, NBU Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
- Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanyi Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, NBU Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinwen Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, NBU Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
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Iliev P, Jaworski C, Wängler C, Wängler B, Page BDG, Schirrmacher R, Bailey JJ. Type II & III inhibitors of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk): a 2020-2022 patent update. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:231-244. [PMID: 38785069 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2358818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Trk family proteins are membrane-bound kinases predominantly expressed in neuronal tissues. Activated by neurotrophins, they regulate critical cellular processes through downstream signaling pathways. Dysregulation of Trk signaling can drive a range of diseases, making the design and study of Trk inhibitors a vital area of research. This review explores recent advances in the development of type II and III Trk inhibitors, with implications for various therapeutic applications. AREAS COVERED Patents covering type II and III inhibitors targeting the Trk family are discussed as a complement of the previous review, Type I inhibitors of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk): a 2020-2022 patent update. Relevant patents were identified using the Web of Science database, Google, and Google Patents. EXPERT OPINION While type II and III Trk inhibitor development has advanced more gradually compared to their type I counterparts, they hold significant promise in overcoming resistance mutations and achieving enhanced subtype selectivity - a critical factor in reducing adverse effects associated with pan-Trk inhibition. Recent interdisciplinary endeavors have marked substantial progress in the design of subtype selective Trk inhibitors, with impressive success heralded by the type III inhibitors. Notably, the emergence of mutant-selective Trk inhibitors introduces an intriguing dimension to the field, offering precise treatment possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Iliev
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Carmen Wängler
- Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Björn Wängler
- Molecular Imaging and Radiochemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Brent D G Page
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Criscuolo C, Chartampila E, Ginsberg SD, Scharfman HE. Dentate Gyrus Granule Cells Show Stability of BDNF Protein Expression in Mossy Fiber Axons with Age, and Resistance to Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology in a Mouse Model. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0192-23.2023. [PMID: 38164567 PMCID: PMC10913042 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0192-23.2023] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is important in the development and maintenance of neurons and their plasticity. Hippocampal BDNF has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) because hippocampal levels in AD patients and AD animal models are often downregulated, suggesting that reduced BDNF contributes to AD. However, the location where hippocampal BDNF protein is most highly expressed, the mossy fiber (MF) axons of dentate gyrus granule cells (GCs), has been understudied, and not in controlled conditions. Therefore, we evaluated MF BDNF protein in the Tg2576 mouse model of AD. Tg2576 and wild-type (WT) mice of both sexes were examined at 2-3 months of age, when amyloid-β (Aβ) is present in neurons but plaques are absent, and 11-20 months of age, after plaque accumulation. As shown previously, WT mice exhibited high levels of MF BDNF protein. Interestingly, there was no significant decline with age in either the genotype or sex. Notably, MF BDNF protein was correlated with GC ΔFosB, a transcription factor that increases after 1-2 weeks of elevated neuronal activity. We also report the novel finding that Aβ in GCs or the GC layer was minimal even at old ages. The results indicate that MF BDNF is stable in the Tg2576 mouse, and MF BDNF may remain unchanged due to increased GC neuronal activity, since BDNF expression is well known to be activity dependent. The resistance of GCs to long-term Aβ accumulation provides an opportunity to understand how to protect vulnerable neurons from increased Aβ levels and therefore has translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Criscuolo
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Elissavet Chartampila
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
- Psychiatry, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
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Asadi MR, Gharesouran J, Sabaie H, Zaboli Mahdiabadi M, Mazhari SA, Sharifi-Bonab M, Shirvani-Farsani Z, Taheri M, Sayad A, Rezazadeh M. Neurotrophin growth factors and their receptors as promising blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: a gene expression analysis study. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:49. [PMID: 38165481 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurological ailment affecting more than 50 million individuals globally, distinguished by a deterioration in memory and cognitive abilities. Investigating neurotrophin growth factors could offer significant contributions to understanding AD progression and prospective therapeutic interventions. METHODS AND RESULTS The present investigation collected blood samples from 50 patients diagnosed with AD and 50 healthy individuals serving as controls. The mRNA expression levels of neurotrophin growth factors and their receptors were measured using quantitative PCR. A Bayesian regression model was used in the research to assess the relationship between gene expression levels and demographic characteristics such as age and gender. The correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients, and the diagnostic potential was assessed using a Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. NTRK2, TrkA, TrkC, and BDNF expression levels were found to be considerably lower (p-value < 0.05) in the blood samples of AD patients compared to the control group. The expression of BDNF exhibited the most substantial decrease in comparison to other neurotrophin growth factors. Correlation analysis indicates a statistically significant positive association between the genes. The ROC analysis showed that BDNF exhibited the greatest Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.76, accompanied by a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 66%. TrkC, TrkA, and NTRK2 demonstrated considerable diagnostic potential in distinguishing between cases and controls. CONCLUSION The observed decrease in the expression levels of NTRK2, TrkA, TrkC, and BDNF in AD patients, along with the identified associations between specific genes and their diagnostic capacity, indicate that these expressions have the potential to function as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Asadi
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jalal Gharesouran
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hani Sabaie
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | - Mirmohsen Sharifi-Bonab
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Shirvani-Farsani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Arezou Sayad
- Department of Medical Genetics, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Rezazadeh
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Gautier MK, Kelley CM, Lee SH, Alldred MJ, McDaid J, Mufson EJ, Stutzmann GE, Ginsberg SD. Maternal choline supplementation protects against age-associated cholinergic and GABAergic basal forebrain neuron degeneration in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 188:106332. [PMID: 37890559 PMCID: PMC10752300 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by triplication of human chromosome 21. In addition to intellectual disability, DS is defined by a premature aging phenotype and Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology, including septohippocampal circuit vulnerability and degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs). The Ts65Dn mouse model recapitulates key aspects of DS/AD pathology, namely age-associated atrophy of BFCNs and cognitive decline in septohippocampal-dependent behavioral tasks. We investigated whether maternal choline supplementation (MCS), a well-tolerated treatment modality, protects vulnerable BFCNs from age- and genotype-associated degeneration in trisomic offspring. We also examined the effect of trisomy, and MCS, on GABAergic basal forebrain parvalbumin neurons (BFPNs), an unexplored neuronal population in this DS model. Unbiased stereological analyses of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive BFCNs and parvalbumin-immunoreactive BFPNs were conducted using confocal z-stacks of the medial septal nucleus and the vertical limb of the diagonal band (MSN/VDB) in Ts65Dn mice and disomic (2N) littermates at 3-4 and 10-12 months of age. MCS trisomic offspring displayed significant increases in ChAT-immunoreactive neuron number and density compared to unsupplemented counterparts, as well as increases in the area of the MSN/VDB occupied by ChAT-immunoreactive neuropil. MCS also rescued BFPN number and density in Ts65Dn offspring, a novel rescue of a non-cholinergic cell population. Furthermore, MCS prevented age-associated loss of BFCNs and MSN/VDB regional area in 2N offspring, indicating genotype-independent neuroprotective benefits. These findings demonstrate MCS provides neuroprotection of vulnerable BFCNs and non-cholinergic septohippocampal BFPNs, indicating this modality has translational value as an early life therapy for DS, as well as extending benefits to the aging population at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan K Gautier
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Pathobiology and Translational Medicine Program, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christy M Kelley
- Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Institute for Future Health, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Sang Han Lee
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa J Alldred
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - John McDaid
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics, Rosalind Franklin University/The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elliott J Mufson
- Departments of Translational Neuroscience and Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Grace E Stutzmann
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics, Rosalind Franklin University/The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Xie D, Song C, Qin T, Zhai Z, Cai J, Dai J, Sun T, Xu Y. Moschus ameliorates glutamate-induced cellular damage by regulating autophagy and apoptosis pathway. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18586. [PMID: 37903904 PMCID: PMC10616123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45878-7] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, causes short-term memory and cognition declines. It is estimated that one in three elderly people die from AD or other dementias. Chinese herbal medicine as a potential drug for treating AD has gained growing interest from many researchers. Moschus, a rare and valuable traditional Chinese animal medicine, was originally documented in Shennong Ben Cao Jing and recognized for its properties of reviving consciousness/resuscitation. Additionally, Moschus has the efficacy of "regulation of menstruation with blood activation, relief of swelling and pain" and is used for treating unconsciousness, stroke, coma, and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it is uncertain whether Moschus has any protective effect on AD patients. We explored whether Moschus could protect glutamate (Glu)-induced PC12 cells from cellular injury and preliminarily explored their related action mechanisms. The chemical compounds of Moschus were analyzed and identified by GC-MS. The Glu-induced differentiated PC12 cell model was thought to be the common AD cellular model. The study aims to preliminarily investigate the intervention effect of Moschus on Glu-induced PC12 cell damage as well as their related action mechanisms. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell apoptosis, autophagic vacuoles, autolysosomes or autophagosomes, proteins related to apoptosis, and the proteins related to autophagy were examined and analyzed. Seventeen active compounds of the Moschus sample were identified based on GC-MS analysis. In comparison to the control group, Glu stimulation increased cell viability loss, LDH release, mitochondrial damage, loss of MMP, apoptosis rate, and the number of cells containing autophagic vacuoles, and autolysosomes or autophagosomes, while these results were decreased after the pretreatment with Moschus and 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Furthermore, Glu stimulation significantly increased cleaved caspase-3, Beclin1, and LC3II protein expression, and reduced B-cell lymphoma 2/BAX ratio and p62 protein expression, but these results were reversed after pretreatment of Moschus and 3-MA. Moschus has protective activity in Glu-induced PC12 cell injury, and the potential mechanism might involve the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis. Our study may promote research on Moschus in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, and Moschus may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Caiyou Song
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Tao Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Zhenwei Zhai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jie Cai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jingyi Dai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Ying Xu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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Kose S, Kutlu MD, Kara S, Polat S, Akillioglu K. Investigation of the protective effect of long-term exercise on molecular pathways and behaviours in scopolamine induced alzheimer's disease-like condition. Brain Res 2023; 1814:148429. [PMID: 37269967 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite research, the role of exercise in treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear. Our study, investigated that protective effect of treadmill exercise on molecular pathways and cognitive behaviours in a scopolamine-induced model of Alzheimer's disease. For that purpose, male Balb/c mice subjected to exercise for 12 weeks. During the last 4 weeks of exercise, mice were given an injection of scopolamine (2 mg/kg). Following injection, open field test and Morris water maze test were used to assess emotional-cognitive behaviour. Hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice were isolated, and levels of BDNF, TrkB, and p-GSK3ßSer389 were assessed by western blotting, and levels of APP and Aß-40 were analysed by immunohistochemistry. In our study, scopolamine administration increased anxiety-like behaviour in open field test, while negatively affecting spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze test. We found that exercise had a protective effect against cognitive and emotional decline. Scopolamine decreased levels of p-GSK3ßSer389, BDNF in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.Whereas TrkB decreased in hippocampus and increased in prefrontal cortex. There was an increase in p-GSK3ßSer389, BDNF, TrkB in the hippocampus, and p-GSK3ßSer389, BDNF in the prefrontal cortex in the exercise + scopolamine group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that scopolamine administration increased APP and Aß-40 in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in neuronal and perineuronal areas whereas Aß-40 and APP were reduced in exercise + scopolamine groups. In conclusion, long-term exercise may have a protective effect against scopolamine-induced impairments in cognitive-emotional behaviour. It can be suggested that this protective effect is mediated by increased BDNF levels and GSK3ßSer389 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Kose
- Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Division of Neurophysiology, Adana 01330, Turkey.
| | - Meltem Donmez Kutlu
- Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Division of Neurophysiology, Adana 01330, Turkey
| | - Samet Kara
- Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Department of Histology and Embryology, Adana 01330, Turkey
| | - Sait Polat
- Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Department of Histology and Embryology, Adana 01330, Turkey
| | - Kubra Akillioglu
- Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Division of Neurophysiology, Adana 01330, Turkey
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Speidell A, Bin Abid N, Yano H. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Dysregulation as an Essential Pathological Feature in Huntington's Disease: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutics. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2275. [PMID: 37626771 PMCID: PMC10452871 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a major neurotrophin whose loss or interruption is well established to have numerous intersections with the pathogenesis of progressive neurological disorders. There is perhaps no greater example of disease pathogenesis resulting from the dysregulation of BDNF signaling than Huntington's disease (HD)-an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric, and cognitive impairments associated with basal ganglia dysfunction and the ultimate death of striatal projection neurons. Investigation of the collection of mechanisms leading to BDNF loss in HD highlights this neurotrophin's importance to neuronal viability and calls attention to opportunities for therapeutic interventions. Using electronic database searches of existing and forthcoming research, we constructed a literature review with the overarching goal of exploring the diverse set of molecular events that trigger BDNF dysregulation within HD. We highlighted research that investigated these major mechanisms in preclinical models of HD and connected these studies to those evaluating similar endpoints in human HD subjects. We also included a special focus on the growing body of literature detailing key transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations that affect BDNF abundance in HD. Finally, we offer critical evaluation of proposed neurotrophin-directed therapies and assessed clinical trials seeking to correct BDNF expression in HD individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Speidell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.S.); (N.B.A.)
| | - Noman Bin Abid
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.S.); (N.B.A.)
| | - Hiroko Yano
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.S.); (N.B.A.)
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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11
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Berry AS, Harrison TM. New perspectives on the basal forebrain cholinergic system in Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105192. [PMID: 37086935 PMCID: PMC10249144 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
The basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS) has long been implicated in age-related cognitive changes and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Limitations of cholinergic interventions helped to inspire a shift away from BFCS in AD research. A resurgence in interest in the BFCS following methodological and analytical advances has resulted in a call for the BFCS to be examined in novel frameworks. We outline the basic structure and function of the BFCS, its role in supporting cognitive and affective function, and its vulnerability to aging and AD. We consider the BFCS in the context of the amyloid hypothesis and evolving concepts in AD research: resilience and resistance to pathology, selective neuronal vulnerability, trans-synaptic pathology spread and sleep health. We highlight 1) the potential role of the BFCS in cognitive resilience, 2) recent work refining understanding about the selective vulnerability of BFCS to AD, 3) BFCS connectivity that suggests it is related to tau spreading and neurodegeneration and 4) the gap between BFCS involvement in AD and sleep-wake cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theresa M Harrison
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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12
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Kumro J, Tripathi A, Lei Y, Sword J, Callahan P, Terry A, Lu XY, Kirov SA, Pillai A, Blake DT. Chronic basal forebrain activation improves spatial memory, boosts neurotrophin receptor expression, and lowers BACE1 and Aβ42 levels in the cerebral cortex in mice. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:7627-7641. [PMID: 36939283 PMCID: PMC10267632 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad066] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of Alzheimer's dementia has been hypothesized in terms of basal forebrain cholinergic decline, and in terms of reflecting beta-amyloid neuropathology. To study these different biological elements, we activated the basal forebrain in 5xFAD Alzheimer's model mice and littermates. Mice received 5 months of 1 h per day intermittent stimulation of the basal forebrain, which includes cholinergic projections to the cortical mantle. Then, mice were behaviorally tested followed by tissue analysis. The 5xFAD mice performed worse in water-maze testing than littermates. Stimulated groups learned the water maze better than unstimulated groups. Stimulated groups had 2-3-fold increases in frontal cortex immunoblot measures of the neurotrophin receptors for nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and a more than 50% decrease in the expression of amyloid cleavage enzyme BACE1. Stimulation also led to lower Aβ42 in 5xFAD mice. These data support a causal relationship between basal forebrain activation and both neurotrophin activation and reduced Aβ42 generation and accumulation. The observation that basal forebrain activation suppresses Aβ42 accumulation, combined with the known high-affinity antagonism of nicotinic receptors by Aβ42, documents bidirectional antagonism between acetylcholine and Aβ42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kumro
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Ashutosh Tripathi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, United States
| | - Yun Lei
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Jeremy Sword
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Patrick Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Alvin Terry
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Xin-yun Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Sergei A Kirov
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Anilkumar Pillai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
- Research and Development, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, United States
| | - David T Blake
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
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13
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Walsh J, Palandra J, Goihberg E, Deng S, Hurst S, Neubert H. Analysis of β-nerve growth factor and its precursor during human pregnancy by immunoaffinity-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9180. [PMID: 37280257 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34695-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that plays a critical role in fetal development during gestation. ProNGF is the precursor form of NGF with a distinct biological profile. In order to investigate the role of NGF and proNGF in pregnant human females, a sensitive and selective immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed and qualified to simultaneously measure the levels of total NGF (tNGF; sum of mature and proNGF) and proNGF using full and relative quantification strategies, respectively. The assay was used to determine serum tNGF and proNGF levels in the three gestational trimesters of pregnancy and in non-pregnant female controls. Mean tNGF ± SD were 44.6 ± 12.3, 42.6 ± 9.3, 65.4 ± 17.6 and 77.0 ± 17.8 pg/mL for non-pregnant, first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, demonstrating no significant increase in circulating tNGF between the control and the first trimester, and a moderate yet significant 1.7-fold increase through gestation. proNGF levels during the first trimester were unchanged compared to control. In contrast to tNGF, however, proNGF levels during gestation remained stable without significant changes. The development of this sensitive, novel immunoaffinity duplexed assay for both tNGF and proNGF is expected to enable further elucidation of the roles these neurotrophins play in human pregnancy as well as other models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Walsh
- Pfizer Inc., 1 Burtt Road, Andover, MA, 01810, USA.
| | - Joe Palandra
- Pfizer Inc., 1 Burtt Road, Andover, MA, 01810, USA
| | | | - Shibing Deng
- Pfizer Inc., 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Susan Hurst
- Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT, 06340, USA
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14
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Criscuolo C, Chartampila E, Ginsberg SD, Scharfman HE. Stability of dentate gyrus granule cell mossy fiber BDNF protein expression with age and resistance of granule cells to Alzheimer's disease neuropathology in a mouse model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.07.539742. [PMID: 37214931 PMCID: PMC10197599 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.07.539742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is important in development and maintenance of neurons and their plasticity. Hippocampal BDNF has been implicated Alzheimer's disease (AD) because hippocampal levels in AD patients and AD animal models are consistently downregulated, suggesting that reduced BDNF contributes to AD. However, the location where hippocampal BDNF protein is most highly expressed, the mossy fiber (MF) axons of dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells (GCs), has been understudied, and never in controlled in vivo conditions. We examined MF BDNF protein in the Tg2576 mouse model of AD. Tg2576 and wild type (WT) mice of both sexes were examined at 2-3 months of age, when amyloid-β (Aβ) is present in neurons but plaques are absent, and 11-20 months of age, after plaque accumulation. As shown previously, WT mice exhibited high levels of MF BDNF protein. Interestingly, there was no significant decline with age in either genotype or sex. Notably, we found a correlation between MF BDNF protein and GC ΔFosB, a transcription factor that increases after 1-2 weeks of elevated neuronal activity. Remarkably, there was relatively little evidence of Aβ in GCs or the GC layer even at old ages. Results indicate MF BDNF is stable in the Tg2576 mouse, and MF BDNF may remain unchanged due to increased GC neuronal activity, since BDNF expression is well known to be activity-dependent. The resistance of GCs to long-term Aβ accumulation provides an opportunity to understand how to protect other vulnerable neurons from increased Aβ levels and therefore has translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Criscuolo
- Center for Dementia Research, the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Elissavet Chartampila
- Center for Dementia Research, the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- Center for Dementia Research, the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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15
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Ananth MR, Rajebhosale P, Kim R, Talmage DA, Role LW. Basal forebrain cholinergic signalling: development, connectivity and roles in cognition. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:233-251. [PMID: 36823458 PMCID: PMC10439770 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00677-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine plays an essential role in fundamental aspects of cognition. Studies that have mapped the activity and functional connectivity of cholinergic neurons have shown that the axons of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons innervate the pallium with far more topographical and functional organization than was historically appreciated. Together with the results of studies using new probes that allow release of acetylcholine to be detected with high spatial and temporal resolution, these findings have implicated cholinergic networks in 'binding' diverse behaviours that contribute to cognition. Here, we review recent findings on the developmental origins, connectivity and function of cholinergic neurons, and explore the participation of cholinergic signalling in the encoding of cognition-related behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mala R Ananth
- Section on Circuits, Synapses, and Molecular Signalling, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Prithviraj Rajebhosale
- Section on Genetics of Neuronal Signalling, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronald Kim
- Section on Genetics of Neuronal Signalling, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David A Talmage
- Section on Genetics of Neuronal Signalling, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lorna W Role
- Section on Circuits, Synapses, and Molecular Signalling, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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16
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Pramanik SK, Sanphui P, Das AK, Banerji B, Biswas SC. Small-Molecule Cdc25A Inhibitors Protect Neuronal Cells from Death Evoked by NGF Deprivation and 6-Hydroxydopamine. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1226-1237. [PMID: 36942687 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative diseases that are presently incurable. There have been reports of aberrant activation of cell cycle pathways in neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, we have found that Cdc25A is activated in models of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD and PD. In the present study, we have synthesized a small library of molecules targeting Cdc25A and tested their neuroprotective potential in cellular models of neurodegeneration. The Buchwald reaction and amide coupling were crucial steps in synthesizing the Cdc25A-targeting molecules. Several of these small-molecule inhibitors significantly prevented neuronal cell death induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation as well as 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment. Lack of NGF signaling leads to neuron death during development and has been associated with AD pathogenesis. The NGF receptor TrkA has been reported to be downregulated at the early stages of AD, and its reduction is linked to cognitive failure. 6-OHDA, a PD mimic, is a highly oxidizable dopamine analogue that can be taken up by the dopamine transporters in catecholaminergic neurons and can induce cell death by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Some of our newly synthesized molecules inhibit Cdc25A phosphatase activity, block loss of mitochondrial activity, and inhibit caspase-3 activation caused by NGF deprivation and 6-OHDA. Hence, it may be proposed that Cdc25A inhibition could be a therapeutic possibility for neurodegenerative diseases and these Cdc25A inhibitors could be effective treatments for AD and PD.
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17
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The Nerve Growth Factor Receptor (NGFR/p75 NTR): A Major Player in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043200. [PMID: 36834612 PMCID: PMC9965628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most prevalent type of dementia in elderly people, primarily characterized by brain accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, derived from Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), in the extracellular space (amyloid plaques) and intracellular deposits of the hyperphosphorylated form of the protein tau (p-tau; tangles or neurofibrillary aggregates). The Nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR/p75NTR) represents a low-affinity receptor for all known mammalians neurotrophins (i.e., proNGF, NGF, BDNF, NT-3 e NT-4/5) and it is involved in pathways that determine both survival and death of neurons. Interestingly, also Aβ peptides can blind to NGFR/p75NTR making it the "ideal" candidate in mediating Aβ-induced neuropathology. In addition to pathogenesis and neuropathology, several data indicated that NGFR/p75NTR could play a key role in AD also from a genetic perspective. Other studies suggested that NGFR/p75NTR could represent a good diagnostic tool, as well as a promising therapeutic target for AD. Here, we comprehensively summarize and review the current experimental evidence on this topic.
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18
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Li H, Liu H, Lutz MW, Luo S. Novel Genetic Variants in TP37, PIK3R1, CALM1, and PLCG2 of the Neurotrophin Signaling Pathway Are Associated with the Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:977-987. [PMID: 36530083 PMCID: PMC9905310 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered as the prodromal stage of AD. Previous studies showed that changes in the neurotrophin signaling pathway could lead to cognitive decline in AD. However, the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes that are involved in this pathway with AD progression from MCI remains unclear. OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations between SNPs involved in the neurotrophin signaling pathway with AD progression. METHODS We performed single-locus analysis to identify neurotrophin-signaling-related SNPs associated with the AD progression using 767 patients from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study and 1,373 patients from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center study. We constructed polygenic risk scores (PRSs) using the identified independent non-APOE SNPs and evaluated its prediction performance on AD progression. RESULTS We identified 25 SNPs significantly associated with AD progression with Bayesian false-discovery probability ≤0.8. Based on the linkage disequilibrium clumping and expression quantitative trait loci analysis, we found 6 potentially functional SNPs that were associated with AD progression independently. The PRS analysis quantified the combined effects of these SNPs on longitudinal cognitive assessments and biomarkers from cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging. The addition of PRSs to the prediction model for 3-year progression to AD from MCI significantly increased the predictive accuracy. CONCLUSION Genetic variants in the specific genes of the neurotrophin signaling pathway are predictors of AD progression. eQTL analysis supports that these SNPs regulate expression of key genes involved in the neurotrophin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyue Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hongliang Liu
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael W. Lutz
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sheng Luo
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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19
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The Molecular Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:7095-7118. [PMID: 36083518 PMCID: PMC9616781 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03016-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is an environmental paradigm encompassing sensory, cognitive, and physical stimulation at a heightened level. Previous studies have reported the beneficial effects of EE in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. EE improves cognitive function as well as ameliorates depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, making it a potentially effective neuroprotective strategy against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we summarize the current evidence for EE as a neuroprotective strategy as well as the potential molecular pathways that can explain the effects of EE from a biochemical perspective using animal models. The effectiveness of EE in enhancing brain activity against neurodegeneration is explored with a view to differences present in early and late life EE exposure, with its potential application in human being discussed. We discuss EE as one of the non pharmacological approaches in preventing or delaying the onset of AD for future research.
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20
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Salasova A, Monti G, Andersen OM, Nykjaer A. Finding memo: versatile interactions of the VPS10p-Domain receptors in Alzheimer’s disease. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:74. [PMID: 36397124 PMCID: PMC9673319 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00576-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The family of VPS10p-Domain (D) receptors comprises five members named SorLA, Sortilin, SorCS1, SorCS2 and SorCS3. While their physiological roles remain incompletely resolved, they have been recognized for their signaling engagements and trafficking abilities, navigating a number of molecules between endosome, Golgi compartments, and the cell surface. Strikingly, recent studies connected all the VPS10p-D receptors to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development. In addition, they have been also associated with diseases comorbid with AD such as diabetes mellitus and major depressive disorder. This systematic review elaborates on genetic, functional, and mechanistic insights into how dysfunction in VPS10p-D receptors may contribute to AD etiology, AD onset diversity, and AD comorbidities. Starting with their functions in controlling cellular trafficking of amyloid precursor protein and the metabolism of the amyloid beta peptide, we present and exemplify how these receptors, despite being structurally similar, regulate various and distinct cellular events involved in AD. This includes a plethora of signaling crosstalks that impact on neuronal survival, neuronal wiring, neuronal polarity, and synaptic plasticity. Signaling activities of the VPS10p-D receptors are especially linked, but not limited to, the regulation of neuronal fitness and apoptosis via their physical interaction with pro- and mature neurotrophins and their receptors. By compiling the functional versatility of VPS10p-D receptors and their interactions with AD-related pathways, we aim to further propel the AD research towards VPS10p-D receptor family, knowledge that may lead to new diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for AD patients.
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21
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Beck JS, Madaj Z, Cheema CT, Kara B, Bennett DA, Schneider JA, Gordon MN, Ginsberg SD, Mufson EJ, Counts SE. Co-expression network analysis of frontal cortex during the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:5108-5120. [PMID: 35076713 PMCID: PMC9667180 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its putative prodromal stage, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), involve the dysregulation of multiple candidate molecular pathways that drive selective cellular vulnerability in cognitive brain regions. However, the spatiotemporal overlap of markers for pathway dysregulation in different brain regions and cell types presents a challenge for pinpointing causal versus epiphenomenal changes characterizing disease progression. To approach this problem, we performed Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis and STRING interactome analysis of gene expression patterns quantified in frontal cortex samples (Brodmann area 10) from subjects who died with a clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, aMCI, or mild/moderate AD. Frontal cortex was chosen due to the relatively protracted involvement of this region in AD, which might reveal pathways associated with disease onset. A co-expressed network correlating with clinical diagnosis was functionally associated with insulin signaling, with insulin (INS) being the most highly connected gene within the network. Co-expressed networks correlating with neuropathological diagnostic criteria (e.g., NIA-Reagan Likelihood of AD) were associated with platelet-endothelium-leucocyte cell adhesion pathways and hypoxia-oxidative stress. Dysregulation of these functional pathways may represent incipient alterations impacting disease progression and the clinical presentation of aMCI and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Beck
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Zachary Madaj
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Calvin T Cheema
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, USA
| | - Betul Kara
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Marcia N Gordon
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Scott E Counts
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Hauenstein Neurosciences Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Alfonsetti M, d’Angelo M, Castelli V. Neurotrophic factor-based pharmacological approaches in neurological disorders. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1220-1228. [PMID: 36453397 PMCID: PMC9838155 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.358619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a physiological event dependent on multiple pathways that are linked to lifespan and processes leading to cognitive decline. This process represents the major risk factor for aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic stroke. The incidence of all these pathologies increases exponentially with age. Research on aging biology has currently focused on elucidating molecular mechanisms leading to the development of those pathologies. Cognitive deficit and neurodegeneration, common features of aging-related pathologies, are related to the alteration of the activity and levels of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor. For this reason, treatments that modulate neurotrophin levels have acquired a great deal of interest in preventing neurodegeneration and promoting neural regeneration in several neurological diseases. Those treatments include both the direct administration of neurotrophic factors and the induced expression with viral vectors, neurotrophins' binding with biomaterials or other molecules to increase their bioavailability but also cell-based therapies. Considering neurotrophins' crucial role in aging pathologies, here we discuss the involvement of several neurotrophic factors in the most common brain aging-related diseases and the most recent therapeutic approaches that provide direct and sustained neurotrophic support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Alfonsetti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele d’Angelo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Vanessa Castelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy,Correspondence to: Vanessa Castelli, .
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Amyloidogenesis and Neurotrophic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: Do They have a Common Regulating Pathway? Cells 2022; 11:cells11203201. [PMID: 36291068 PMCID: PMC9600014 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203201] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The amyloid cascade hypothesis has predominately been used to describe the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for decades, as Aβ oligomers are thought to be the prime cause of AD. Meanwhile, the neurotrophic factor hypothesis has also been proposed for decades. Accumulating evidence states that the amyloidogenic process and neurotrophic dysfunction are mutually influenced and may coincidently cause the onset and progress of AD. Meanwhile, there are intracellular regulators participating both in the amyloidogenic process and neurotrophic pathways, which might be the common original causes of amyloidogenesis and neurotrophic dysfunction. In this review, the current understanding regarding the role of neurotrophic dysfunction and the amyloidogenic process in AD pathology is briefly summarized. The mutual influence of these two pathogenesis pathways and their potential common causal pathway are further discussed. Therapeutic strategies targeting the common pathways to simultaneously prevent amyloidogenesis and neurotrophic dysfunction might be anticipated for the disease-modifying treatment of AD.
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An Ultra-Low Dose of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Alleviates Alzheimer's Disease-Related Cognitive Impairments and Modulates TrkB Receptor Expression in a 5XFAD Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169449. [PMID: 36012711 PMCID: PMC9408848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, but there is still no available treatment. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is emerging as a promising therapeutic agent. Using THC in conventional high doses may have deleterious effects. Therefore, we propose to use an ultra-low dose of THC (ULD-THC). We previously published that a single injection of ULD-THC ameliorated cognitive functioning in several models of brain injuries as well as in naturally aging mice. Here, 5xFAD AD model mice received a single treatment of ULD-THC (0.002 mg/kg) after disease onset and were examined in two separate experiments for cognitive functions, neurotropic, and inflammatory factors in the hippocampus. We show that a single injection of ULD-THC alleviated cognitive impairments in 6- and 12-month-old 5xFAD mice. On the biochemical level, our results indicate an imbalance between the truncated TrkB receptor isoform and the full receptor, with AD mice showing a greater tendency to express the truncated receptor, and ULD-THC improved this imbalance. We also investigated the expression of three AD-related inflammatory markers and found an ameliorating effect of ULD-THC. The current research demonstrates for the first time the beneficial effects of a single ultra-low dose of THC in a mouse model of AD after disease onset.
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25
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A Microglial Function for the Nerve Growth Factor: Predictions of the Unpredictable. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111835. [PMID: 35681529 PMCID: PMC9180430 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the only immune cell population present in the brain parenchyma. Their vantage position in the central nervous system (CNS) enables these myeloid cells to perform the most disparate of tasks: from the classical immune functions of fighting infections and surveilling the extracellular space for pathogens and damage, to sculpting the neuronal circuitry by pruning unnecessary synapses and assisting neurons in spine formation, aiding in the maintenance of brain homeostasis. The neurotrophin field has always been dominated by the neurocentric view that the primary target of these molecules must be neurons: this holds true even for the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which owes its popularity in the neuroscience community to its trophic and tropic activity towards sensory and sympathetic neurons in the peripheral nervous system, and cholinergic neurons in the CNS. The increasing evidence that microglia are an integral part of neuronal computation calls for a closer look as to whether these glial cells are capable of responding directly to NGF. In this review, we will first outline evidence in support of a role for NGF as a molecule mediating neuroimmune communication. Then, we will illustrate some of those non-immune features that have made microglial cells one of the hottest topics of this last decade. In conclusion, we will discuss evidence in support of a microglial function for NGF.
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26
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Eggert S, Kins S, Endres K, Brigadski T. Brothers in arms: proBDNF/BDNF and sAPPα/Aβ-signaling and their common interplay with ADAM10, TrkB, p75NTR, sortilin, and sorLA in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Biol Chem 2022; 403:43-71. [PMID: 34619027 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important modulator for a variety of functions in the central nervous system (CNS). A wealth of evidence, such as reduced mRNA and protein level in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood samples of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients implicates a crucial role of BDNF in the progression of this disease. Especially, processing and subcellular localization of BDNF and its receptors TrkB and p75 are critical determinants for survival and death in neuronal cells. Similarly, the amyloid precursor protein (APP), a key player in Alzheimer's disease, and its cleavage fragments sAPPα and Aβ are known for their respective roles in neuroprotection and neuronal death. Common features of APP- and BDNF-signaling indicate a causal relationship in their mode of action. However, the interconnections of APP- and BDNF-signaling are not well understood. Therefore, we here discuss dimerization properties, localization, processing by α- and γ-secretase, relevance of the common interaction partners TrkB, p75, sorLA, and sortilin as well as shared signaling pathways of BDNF and sAPPα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Eggert
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Stefan Kins
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Brigadski
- Department of Informatics and Microsystem Technology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, D-66482 Zweibrücken, Germany
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27
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Long A, Crouse A, Kesterson RA, Might M, Wallis D. Functional characterization and potential therapeutic avenues for variants in the NTRK2 gene causing developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2022; 189:37-47. [PMID: 34889524 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Variants within the Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Type 2 (NTRK2) gene have been discovered to play a role in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, a group of debilitating conditions for which little is known about cause or treatment. Here, we determine the functional consequences of two variants: p.Tyr434Cys (Y434C) (located in the transmembrane domain) and p.Thr720Ile (T720I) (located in the catalytic domain). Wild-type and variant cDNAs were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. In cell culture, variant Y434C exhibited ligand-independent activation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TRKB) signaling with an associated abnormal response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulation and increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and ETS like-1 protein (ELK1) activity. Expression of variant T720I resulted in decreased TRKB signaling with reduced mTor activity as determined by decreased levels of phosphorylated S6. With the deleterious mechanisms characterized, we utilized mediKanren (a novel artificial intelligence tool) to identify therapeutics to compensate for the pathological effects. Downregulation of TRKB through inhibition with mediKanren-predicted compound 1NM-PP1 led to decreased MEK activity. Upregulation of TRKB signaling by mediKanren-predicted valproic acid led to subsequent increase of mTor activity. Overall, our results provide further characterization of the pathogenicity of these two variants in the NTRK2 gene. Indeed, Y434C is the first patient-specific NTRK2 variant with demonstrated hypermorphic activity. Furthermore, we observed that variants Y434C and T720I result in distinct functional consequences that require distinct therapeutic strategies. These data suggest the possibility that unique mutations within different regions of the NTRK2 gene results in separate clinical presentations, representing distinct genetic disorders requiring unique therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee Long
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Andrew Crouse
- Personalized Medicine Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert A Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Matthew Might
- Personalized Medicine Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Deeann Wallis
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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28
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Do Carmo S, Kannel B, Cuello AC. The Nerve Growth Factor Metabolic Pathway Dysregulation as Cause of Alzheimer's Cholinergic Atrophy. Cells 2021; 11:16. [PMID: 35011577 PMCID: PMC8750266 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cause of the loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) and their terminal synapses in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has provoked a decades-long controversy. The cholinergic phenotype of this neuronal system, involved in numerous cognitive mechanisms, is tightly dependent on the target-derived nerve growth factor (NGF). Consequently, the loss of BFCNs cholinergic phenotype in AD was initially suspected to be due to an NGF trophic failure. However, in AD there is a normal NGF synthesis and abundance of the NGF precursor (proNGF), therefore the NGF trophic failure hypothesis for the atrophy of BCNs was abandoned. In this review, we discuss the history of NGF-dependency of BFCNs and the atrophy of these neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Further to it, we propose that trophic factor failure explains the BFCNs atrophy in AD. We discuss evidence of the occurrence of a brain NGF metabolic pathway, the dysregulation of which, in AD explains the severe deficiency of NGF trophic support for the maintenance of BFCNs cholinergic phenotype. Finally, we revise recent evidence that the NGF metabolic dysregulation in AD pathology starts at preclinical stages. We also propose that the alteration of NGF metabolism-related markers in body fluids might assist in the AD preclinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada;
| | - Benjamin Kannel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
| | - A. Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada;
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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29
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Vilar M. Neurotrophin receptοrs, gamma-secretase inhibitors, and neurodegeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1493-1494. [PMID: 34916430 PMCID: PMC8771120 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.330607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marçal Vilar
- Instituto de Biomedicina de València del CSIC, València, Spain
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30
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Xhima K, Markham-Coultes K, Kofoed RH, Saragovi HU, Hynynen K, Aubert I. Ultrasound delivery of a TrkA agonist confers neuroprotection to Alzheimer-associated pathologies. Brain 2021; 145:2806-2822. [PMID: 34919633 PMCID: PMC9420023 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Early degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) contributes substantially to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence from preclinical models of neuronal injury and aging support a pivotal role for nerve growth factor (NGF) in neuroprotection, resilience, and cognitive function. However, whether NGF can provide therapeutic benefit in the presence of AD-related pathologies remains unresolved. Perturbations in the NGF signaling system in AD may render neurons unable to benefit from NGF administration. Additionally, challenges related to brain delivery remain for clinical translation of NGF-based therapies in AD. To be safe and efficient, NGF-related agents should stimulate the NGF receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), avoid activation through the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), and be delivered non-invasively to targeted brain areas using real-time monitoring. We addressed these limitations using MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS) to increase blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability locally and transiently, allowing an intravenously administered TrkA agonist that does not activate p75NTR, termed D3, to enter targeted brain areas. Here, we report the therapeutic potential of selective TrkA activation in a transgenic mouse model that recapitulates numerous AD-associated pathologies. Repeated MRIgFUS-mediated delivery of D3 (D3/FUS) improved cognitive function in the TgCRND8 model of AD. Mechanistically, D3/FUS treatment effectively attenuated cholinergic degeneration and promoted functional recovery. D3/FUS treatment also resulted in widespread reduction of brain amyloid pathology and dystrophic neurites surrounding amyloid plaques. Furthermore, D3/FUS markedly enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis in TgCRND8 mice, implicating TrkA agonism as a novel therapeutic target to promote neurogenesis in the context of AD-related pathology. Thus, this study provides evidence that selective TrkA agonism confers neuroprotection to effectively counteract AD-related vulnerability. Recent clinical trials demonstrate that non-invasive BBB modulation using MRIgFUS is safe, feasible and reversible in AD patients. TrkA receptor agonists coupled with MRIgFUS delivery constitute a promising disease-modifying strategy to foster brain health and counteract cognitive decline in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiana Xhima
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kelly Markham-Coultes
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Rikke Hahn Kofoed
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - H. Uri Saragovi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3S5, Canada
| | - Kullervo Hynynen
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Isabelle Aubert
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
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31
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Gonzalez S, McHugh TLM, Yang T, Syriani W, Massa SM, Longo FM, Simmons DA. Small molecule modulation of TrkB and TrkC neurotrophin receptors prevents cholinergic neuron atrophy in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model at an advanced pathological stage. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105563. [PMID: 34838668 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) and vertical diagonal band (VDB) along with their connections is a key pathological event leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aberrant neurotrophin signaling via Trks and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) contributes importantly to BFCN dystrophy. While NGF/TrkA signaling has received the most attention in this regard, TrkB and TrkC signaling also provide trophic support to BFCNs and these receptors may be well located to preserve BFCN connectivity. We previously identified a small molecule TrkB/TrkC ligand, LM22B-10, that promotes cell survival and neurite outgrowth in vitro and activates TrkB/TrkC signaling in the hippocampus of aged mice when given intranasally, but shows poor oral bioavailability. An LM22B-10 derivative, PTX-BD10-2, with improved oral bioavailability has been developed and this study examined its effects on BFCN atrophy in the hAPPLond/Swe (APPL/S) AD mouse model. Oral delivery of PTX-BD10-2 was started after appreciable amyloid and cholinergic pathology was present to parallel the clinical context, as most AD patients start treatment at advanced pathological stages. PTX-BD10-2 restored cholinergic neurite integrity in the NBM and VDB, and reduced NBM neuronal atrophy in symptomatic APPL/S mice. Dystrophy of cholinergic neurites in BF target regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, was also reduced with treatment. Finally, PTX-BD10-2 reduced NBM tau pathology and improved the survival of cholinergic neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) after amyloid-β exposure. These data provide evidence that targeting TrkB and TrkC signaling with PTX-BD10-2 may be an effective disease-modifying strategy for combating cholinergic dysfunction in AD. The potential for clinical translation is further supported by the compound's reduction of AD-related degenerative processes that have progressed beyond early stages and its neuroprotective effects in human iPSC-derived cholinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Gonzalez
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tyne L M McHugh
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Wassim Syriani
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Stephen M Massa
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Computational Neurochemistry and Drug Discovery, Veterans Affairs Health Care System and Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States of America
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Danielle A Simmons
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America.
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32
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Amyloid-Beta Peptides and Activated Astroglia Impairs Proliferation of Nerve Growth Factor Releasing Cells In Vitro: Implication for Encapsulated Cell Biodelivery-Mediated AD Therapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112834. [PMID: 34831056 PMCID: PMC8616486 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment is constrained due to the inability of peripherally administered therapeutic molecules to cross the blood–brain barrier. Encapsulated cell biodelivery (ECB) devices, a tissue-targeted approach for local drug release, was previously optimized for human mature nerve growth factor (hmNGF) delivery in AD patients but was found to have reduced hmNGF release over time. To understand the reason behind reduced ECB efficacy, we exposed hmNGF-releasing cells (NGC0211) in vitro to human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from Subjective Cognitive Impairment (SCI), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and AD patients. Subsequently, we exposed NGC0211 cells directly to AD-related factors like amyloid-β peptides (Aβ40/42) or activated astrocyte-conditioned medium (Aβ40/42/IL-1β/TNFα-treated) and evaluated biochemical stress markers, cell death indicators, cell proliferation marker (Ki67), and hmNGF release. We found that all patients’ CSF significantly reduced hmNGF release from NGC0211 cells in vitro. Aβ40/42, inflammatory molecules, and activated astrocytes significantly affected NGC0211 cell proliferation without altering hmNGF release or other parameters important for essential functions of the NGC0211 cells. Long-term constant cell proliferation within the ECB device is critically important to maintain a steady cell population needed for stable mNGF release. These data show hampered proliferation of NGC0211 cells, which may lead to a decline of the NGC0211 cell population in ECBs, thereby reducing hmNGF release. Our study highlights the need for future studies to strengthen ECB-mediated long-term drug delivery approaches.
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33
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Hauser SR, Rodd ZA, Deehan GA, Liang T, Rahman S, Bell RL. Effects of adolescent substance use disorders on central cholinergic function. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 160:175-221. [PMID: 34696873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, in which the individual undergoes significant cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social developmental changes. During this period, adolescents engage in experimentation and risky behaviors such as licit and illicit drug use. Adolescents' high vulnerability to abuse drugs and natural reinforcers leads to greater risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) during adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs during adolescence and emerging adulthood can disrupt the cholinergic system and its processes. This review will focus on the effects of peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol use, or exposure, on the cholinergic system during adulthood from preclinical and clinical studies. This review further explores potential cholinergic agents and pharmacological manipulations to counteract peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Z A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - G A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - T Liang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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34
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Alldred MJ, Penikalapati SC, Lee SH, Heguy A, Roussos P, Ginsberg SD. Profiling Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons Reveals a Molecular Basis for Vulnerability Within the Ts65Dn Model of Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:5141-5162. [PMID: 34263425 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02453-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic neuron (BFCN) degeneration is a hallmark of Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current therapeutics have been unsuccessful in slowing disease progression, likely due to complex pathological interactions and dysregulated pathways that are poorly understood. The Ts65Dn trisomic mouse model recapitulates both cognitive and morphological deficits of DS and AD, including BFCN degeneration. We utilized Ts65Dn mice to understand mechanisms underlying BFCN degeneration to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. We performed high-throughput, single population RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to interrogate transcriptomic changes within medial septal nucleus (MSN) BFCNs, using laser capture microdissection to individually isolate ~500 choline acetyltransferase-immunopositive neurons in Ts65Dn and normal disomic (2N) mice at 6 months of age (MO). Ts65Dn mice had unique MSN BFCN transcriptomic profiles at ~6 MO clearly differentiating them from 2N mice. Leveraging Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and KEGG analysis, we linked differentially expressed gene (DEG) changes within MSN BFCNs to several canonical pathways and aberrant physiological functions. The dysregulated transcriptomic profile of trisomic BFCNs provides key information underscoring selective vulnerability within the septohippocampal circuit. We propose both expected and novel therapeutic targets for DS and AD, including specific DEGs within cholinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and neurotrophin pathways, as well as select targets for repairing oxidative phosphorylation status in neurons. We demonstrate and validate this interrogative quantitative bioinformatic analysis of a key dysregulated neuronal population linking single population transcript changes to an established pathological hallmark associated with cognitive decline for therapeutic development in human DS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Alldred
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sai C Penikalapati
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
| | - Sang Han Lee
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA.,Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Psychiatry and the Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA. .,Departments of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Martinez JL, Zammit MD, West NR, Christian BT, Bhattacharyya A. Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons: Linking Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:703876. [PMID: 34322015 PMCID: PMC8311593 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.703876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) is characterized by intellectual impairment at birth and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in middle age. As individuals with DS age, their cognitive functions decline as they develop AD pathology. The susceptibility to degeneration of a subset of neurons, known as basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), in DS and AD is a critical link between cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in both disorders. BFCNs are the primary source of cholinergic innervation to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as the amygdala. They play a critical role in the processing of information related to cognitive function and are directly engaged in regulating circuits of attention and memory throughout the lifespan. Given the importance of BFCNs in attention and memory, it is not surprising that these neurons contribute to dysfunctional neuronal circuitry in DS and are vulnerable in adults with DS and AD, where their degeneration leads to memory loss and disturbance in language. BFCNs are thus a relevant cell target for therapeutics for both DS and AD but, despite some success, efforts in this area have waned. There are gaps in our knowledge of BFCN vulnerability that preclude our ability to effectively design interventions. Here, we review the role of BFCN function and degeneration in AD and DS and identify under-studied aspects of BFCN biology. The current gaps in BFCN relevant imaging studies, therapeutics, and human models limit our insight into the mechanistic vulnerability of BFCNs in individuals with DS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Martinez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Matthew D Zammit
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicole R West
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bradley T Christian
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Cellular and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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Gascon S, Jann J, Langlois-Blais C, Plourde M, Lavoie C, Faucheux N. Peptides Derived from Growth Factors to Treat Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116071. [PMID: 34199883 PMCID: PMC8200100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive neuron losses in memory-related brain structures. The classical features of AD are a dysregulation of the cholinergic system, the accumulation of amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Unfortunately, current treatments are unable to cure or even delay the progression of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies have emerged, such as the exogenous administration of neurotrophic factors (e.g., NGF and BDNF) that are deficient or dysregulated in AD. However, their low capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and their exorbitant cost currently limit their use. To overcome these limitations, short peptides mimicking the binding receptor sites of these growth factors have been developed. Such peptides can target selective signaling pathways involved in neuron survival, differentiation, and/or maintenance. This review focuses on growth factors and their derived peptides as potential treatment for AD. It describes (1) the physiological functions of growth factors in the brain, their neuronal signaling pathways, and alteration in AD; (2) the strategies to develop peptides derived from growth factor and their capacity to mimic the role of native proteins; and (3) new advancements and potential in using these molecules as therapeutic treatments for AD, as well as their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Gascon
- Laboratory of Cell-Biomaterial Biohybrid Systems, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, 2500 Boulevard Université, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; (S.G.); (J.J.)
| | - Jessica Jann
- Laboratory of Cell-Biomaterial Biohybrid Systems, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, 2500 Boulevard Université, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; (S.G.); (J.J.)
| | - Chloé Langlois-Blais
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
| | - Mélanie Plourde
- Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l’Estrie–Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 1B1, Canada;
- Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Christine Lavoie
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue, N., Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (N.F.); Tel.: +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 72732) (C.L.); +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 61343) (N.F.)
| | - Nathalie Faucheux
- Laboratory of Cell-Biomaterial Biohybrid Systems, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, 2500 Boulevard Université, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; (S.G.); (J.J.)
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue, N., Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (N.F.); Tel.: +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 72732) (C.L.); +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 61343) (N.F.)
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Franco ML, García-Carpio I, Comaposada-Baró R, Escribano-Saiz JJ, Chávez-Gutiérrez L, Vilar M. TrkA-mediated endocytosis of p75-CTF prevents cholinergic neuron death upon γ-secretase inhibition. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/4/e202000844. [PMID: 33536237 PMCID: PMC7898468 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The findings shed light into the adverse effects of GSIs observed in the Alzheimer’s field and explain, at least in part, the unexpected worsening in cognition observed in the semagacestat Phase 3 trial. γ-secretase inhibitors (GSI) were developed to reduce the generation of Aβ peptide to find new Alzheimer’s disease treatments. Clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease patients, however, showed several side effects that worsened the cognitive symptoms of the treated patients. The observed side effects were partially attributed to Notch signaling. However, the effect on other γ-secretase substrates, such as the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) has not been studied in detail. p75NTR is highly expressed in the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) during all life. Here, we show that GSI treatment induces the oligomerization of p75CTF leading to the cell death of BFCNs, and that this event is dependent on TrkA activity. The oligomerization of p75CTF requires an intact cholesterol recognition sequence (CRAC) and the constitutive binding of TRAF6, which activates the JNK and p38 pathways. Remarkably, TrkA rescues from cell death by a mechanism involving the endocytosis of p75CTF. These results suggest that the inhibition of γ-secretase activity in aged patients, where the expression of TrkA in the BFCNs is already reduced, could accelerate cholinergic dysfunction and promote neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luisa Franco
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València (IBV-CSIC), València, Spain
| | - Irmina García-Carpio
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València (IBV-CSIC), València, Spain
| | - Raquel Comaposada-Baró
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València (IBV-CSIC), València, Spain
| | - Juan J Escribano-Saiz
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València (IBV-CSIC), València, Spain
| | - Lucía Chávez-Gutiérrez
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie Katholieke Universiteit (VIB-KU) Leuven Center for Brain and Disease, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València (IBV-CSIC), València, Spain
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Kelliny S, Bobrovskaya L, Zhou XF, Upton R. Pharmacokinetic Modelling of Human Recombinant Protein, p75ECD-Fc: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, in Serum and Tissue of Sprague Dawley Rats. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2021; 46:235-248. [PMID: 33507523 DOI: 10.1007/s13318-020-00662-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE p75ECD-Fc is a novel antagonist of toxic amyloid beta protein and other neurodegenerative factors with potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Preclinical studies showed that it can alleviate the AD pathologies in animal models of dementia. In a previous paper, we used non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis to obtain preliminary pharmacokinetic data for p75ECD-Fc in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. We also studied the tissue distribution in terms of drug metabolism that helped us to understand possible mechanisms of action. Here, we aim to develop population pharmacokinetic models that can describe the pharmacokinetics of p75ECD-Fc in serum and tissues. METHODS p75ECD-Fc was delivered to SD rats via two routes (intravenous and subcutaneous) at a single dose of 3 mg/kg (n = 15). Blood (n = 12) and tissue samples (n = 10-15) were then separated at different time points for a total duration of 42 days post dosage. The concentration of p75ECD-Fc in serum and tissues was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Data were best fitted to a 2-compartment model with linear elimination kinetics. The population parameter estimates for clearance, and volume of central and peripheral compartments were 0.000176 L/h, 0.0145 L and 0.0263 L, respectively. The presence of anti-drug antibodies was added to the final model as a covariate on clearance. The subcutaneous bioavailability was estimated to be 53.5% with a first-order absorption rate constant of 0.00745 1/h. By modeling of individual tissue concentrations, p75ECD-Fc was found to exhibit modest tissue distribution with estimated tissue/plasma partition coefficients (R) ranging from 0.004 to 0.2. CONCLUSION This is the first report of a pharmacokinetic model for p75ECD-Fc and these results may facilitate the ongoing development of p75ECD-Fc and translation to clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Kelliny
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Larisa Bobrovskaya
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Xin-Fu Zhou
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Richard Upton
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences, Australian Centre for Pharmacometrics, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
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Eriksdotter M, Mitra S. Gene and cell therapy for the nucleus basalis of Meynert with NGF in Alzheimer's disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 179:219-229. [PMID: 34225964 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819975-6.00012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is currently no effective treatment for the most common of the dementia disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been known for decades that the central cholinergic system is important for memory. The cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain with its cortical and hippocampal projections degenerate in AD and thus contribute to the cognitive decline characteristic of AD. This knowledge led to the development of the currently approved treatment for AD, with inhibitors of acetylcholine-esterase targeting the cholinergic system with beneficial but mild effects. In recent years, other approaches to influence the degenerating cholinergic system in AD focusing on nerve growth factor (NGF) have been undertaken. NGF is required for the survival and function of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, the most important being the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM). Since there is a lack of NGF and its receptors in the AD forebrain, the hypothesis is that local delivery of NGF to the nbM could revive the cholinergic circuitry and thereby restore cognitive functions. Since NGF does not pass through the blood-brain barrier, approaches involving cerebral injections of genetically modified cells or viral vectors or implantation of encapsulated cells in the nbM in AD patients have been used. These attempts have been partially successful but also have limitations, which are presented and discussed here. In conclusion, these trials point to the importance of further development of NGF-related therapies in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eriksdotter
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Sumonto Mitra
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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40
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Matchett BJ, Grinberg LT, Theofilas P, Murray ME. The mechanistic link between selective vulnerability of the locus coeruleus and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:631-650. [PMID: 33427939 PMCID: PMC8043919 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuropathologically characterized by the intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and the extracellular deposition of amyloid-β plaques, which affect certain brain regions in a progressive manner. The locus coeruleus (LC), a small nucleus in the pons of the brainstem, is widely recognized as one of the earliest sites of neurofibrillary tangle formation in AD. Patients with AD exhibit significant neuronal loss in the LC, resulting in a marked reduction of its size and function. The LC, which vastly innervates several regions of the brain, is the primary source of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) in the central nervous system. Considering that NE is a major modulator of behavior, contributing to neuroprotection and suppression of neuroinflammation, degeneration of the LC in AD and the ultimate dysregulation of the LC-NE system has detrimental effects in the brain. In this review, we detail the neuroanatomy and function of the LC, its essential role in neuroprotection, and how this is dysregulated in AD. We discuss AD-related neuropathologic changes in the LC and mechanisms by which LC neurons are selectively vulnerable to insult. Further, we elucidate the neurotoxic effects of LC de-innervation both locally and at projection sites, and how this augments disease pathology, progression and severity. We summarize how preservation of the LC-NE system could be used in the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases affected by LC degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billie J. Matchett
- Neuropathology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Panos Theofilas
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Melissa E. Murray
- Neuropathology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
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41
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Miranda-Lourenço C, Ribeiro-Rodrigues L, Fonseca-Gomes J, Tanqueiro SR, Belo RF, Ferreira CB, Rei N, Ferreira-Manso M, de Almeida-Borlido C, Costa-Coelho T, Freitas CF, Zavalko S, Mouro FM, Sebastião AM, Xapelli S, Rodrigues TM, Diógenes MJ. Challenges of BDNF-based therapies: From common to rare diseases. Pharmacol Res 2020; 162:105281. [PMID: 33161136 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophins are a well-known family of neurotrophic factors that play an important role both in the central and peripheral nervous systems, where they modulate neuronal survival, development, function and plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) possesses diverse biological functions which are mediated by the activation of two main classes of receptors, the tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) B and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). The therapeutic potential of BDNF has drawn attention since dysregulation of its signalling cascades has been suggested to underlie the pathogenesis of both common and rare diseases. Multiple strategies targeting this neurotrophin have been tested; most have found obstacles that ultimately hampered their effectiveness. This review focuses on the involvement of BDNF and its receptors in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Rett Syndrome (RTT). We describe the known mechanisms leading to the impairment of BDNF/TrkB signalling in these disorders. Such mechanistic insight highlights how BDNF signalling compromise can take various shapes, nearly disease-specific. Therefore, BDNF-based therapeutic strategies must be specifically tailored and are more likely to succeed if a combination of resources is employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Miranda-Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Leonor Ribeiro-Rodrigues
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Fonseca-Gomes
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara R Tanqueiro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita F Belo
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina B Ferreira
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nádia Rei
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Ferreira-Manso
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina de Almeida-Borlido
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Costa-Coelho
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Céline Felicidade Freitas
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Svitlana Zavalko
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisco M Mouro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Xapelli
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago M Rodrigues
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Mittlere Strasse 91, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria J Diógenes
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
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42
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Zou W, Hu X, Jiang L. Advances in Regulating Tumorigenicity and Metastasis of Cancer Through TrkB Signaling. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 20:779-788. [PMID: 32748747 DOI: 10.2174/1568009620999200730183631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The clinical pathology of various human malignancies is supported by tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) B TrkB which is a specific binding receptor of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). TrkB and TrkB fusion proteins have been observed to be over-expressed in many cancer patients. Moreover, these proteins have been observed in multiple types of cells. A few signaling pathways can be modulated by the abnormal activation of the BDNF/TrkB pathway. These signaling pathways include PI3K/Akt pathway, transactivation of EGFR, phospholipase C-gamma (PLCγ) pathway, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway, Jak/STAT pathway, and nuclear factor kappalight- chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) pathway. The BDNF/TrkB pathway, when overexpressed in tumors, is correlated with reduced clinical prognosis and short survival time of patients. Targeting the BDNF/TrkB pathway and the use of Trk inhibitors, such as entrectinib, larotrectinib, etc. are promising methods for targeted therapy of tumors. The present review provides an overview of the role of the TrkB pathway in the pathogenesis of cancer and its value as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wujun Zou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoyan Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
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43
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Fan CH, Lin CW, Huang HJ, Lee-Chen GJ, Sun YC, Lin W, Chen CM, Chang KH, Su MT, Hsieh-Li HM. LMDS-1, a potential TrkB receptor agonist provides a safe and neurotrophic effect for early-phase Alzheimer's disease. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3173-3190. [PMID: 32748031 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05602-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The signaling pathways of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor play a pivotal role in axonal sprouting, proliferation of dendritic arbor, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal differentiation. The levels of BDNF and TrkB receptor were reduced in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVES The activation of TrkB signaling pathways is a potential strategy for AD therapies. We intended to identify potential TrkB agonists to activate the neuroprotective signaling to alleviate the pathological features of AD mice. RESULTS Both of the Aβ-deteriorated hippocampal primary neurons and mouse models were generated and showed AD characteristics. We first investigated 12 potential TrkB agonists with primary hippocampal neurons of mice. Both 7,8-DHF and LMDS-1 were identified to have better effect than the other compounds on dendritic arborization of the neurons and were further applied to the Aβ-injected mouse model. The short-term cognitive behavior and pathology in the mice were improved by LMDS-1. Further investigation indicated that LMDS-1 activated the TrkB through phosphorylation at Y516 rather than Y816. In addition, the ERK but not CaMKII or Akt was activated in the mouse hippocampus with LMDS-1 administration. LMDS-1 treatment also upregulated CREB and BDNF while downregulated the GSK3β active form and tau phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that LMDS-1 upregulates the expression of BDNF and ameliorates the early-phase phenotypes of the AD-like mice through the pTrkB (Y516)-ERK-CREB pathway. In addition, LMDS-1 has better effect than 7,8-DHF in ameliorating the behavioral and pathological features of AD-like mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Fan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
| | - Hei-Jen Huang
- Department of Nursing, Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, 11260, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Jen Lee-Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chieh Sun
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
| | - Wenwei Lin
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Mei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Neurology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsan Su
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
| | - Hsiu Mei Hsieh-Li
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
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Xie Y, Seawell J, Boesch E, Allen L, Suchy A, Longo FM, Meeker RB. Small molecule modulation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor suppresses age- and genotype-associated neurodegeneration in HIV gp120 transgenic mice. Exp Neurol 2020; 335:113489. [PMID: 33007293 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The persistence of HIV in the central nervous system leads to cognitive deficits in up to 50% of people living with HIV even with systemic suppression by antiretroviral treatment. The interaction of chronic inflammation with age-associated degeneration places these individuals at increased risk of accelerated aging and other neurodegenerative diseases and no treatments are available that effectively halt these processes. The adverse effects of aging and inflammation may be mediated, in part, by an increase in the expression of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) which shifts the balance of neurotrophin signaling toward less protective pathways. To determine if modulation of p75NTR could modify the disease process, we treated HIV gp120 transgenic mice with a small molecule ligand designed to engage p75NTR and downregulate degenerative signaling. Daily treatment with 50 mg/kg LM11A-31 for 4 months suppressed age- and genotype-dependent activation of microglia, increased microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP-2), reduced dendritic varicosities and slowed the loss of parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus. An age related accumulation of microtubule associated protein Tau was identified in the hippocampus in extracellular clusters that co-expressed p75NTR suggesting a link between Tau and p75NTR. Although the significance of the relationship between p75NTR and Tau is unclear, a decrease in Tau-1 immunoreactivity as gp120 mice entered old age (>16 months) suggests that the Tau may transition to more pathological modifications; a process blocked by LM11A-31. Overall, the effects of LM11A-31 are consistent with strong neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory actions that have significant therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youmie Xie
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Jaimie Seawell
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America; The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Spartanburg, SC 29303, United States of America
| | - Emily Boesch
- School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Lauren Allen
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Ashley Suchy
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Rick B Meeker
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America; Neurobiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America.
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45
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Yan T, Zhang Z, Li D. NGF receptors and PI3K/AKT pathway involved in glucose fluctuation-induced damage to neurons and α-lipoic acid treatment. BMC Neurosci 2020; 21:38. [PMID: 32943002 PMCID: PMC7499848 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-020-00588-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucose fluctuation promotes neuronal apoptosis, which plays a central role in diabetic encephalopathy (DE). Nerve growth factor (NGF), and its interaction with high-affinity (TrkA) and low-affinity (p75NTR) receptors, are involved in neuronal survival. NGF/TrkA contributes to the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which is beneficial for neuronal survival, and α-Lipoic acid (ALA) exerts clinically favorable neuroprotective effects in the periphery. Whether NGF receptors and the PI3K/AKT pathway are involved in glucose fluctuation-induced neuronal damage, as well as the potential molecular mechanism of ALA in protecting glucose fluctuation-induced neuronal damage, remain unclear. RESULTS The results indicated that constant high glucose (CHG) and intermittent high glucose (IHG) significantly increased the expression of Bax and caspase-3, and decreased the expression of TrkA/p75NTR and p-AKT/AKT, while ALA stimulation reversed the above proteins in PC12 cells. IHG stimulates apoptosis more effectively than CHG in PC12 cells, which is related to the PI3K/AKT pathway but not to the TrkA/p75NTR. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis induced by IHG was aggravated by the TrkA inhibitor K252a or the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002, but this effect was alleviated by the p75NTR inhibitor TAT-pep5. CONCLUSION Glucose fluctuation induced cell apoptosis by regulating the TrkA/p75NTR and PI3K/AKT pathway, meanwhile ALA exhibited neuroprotective effects in response to IHG and CHG. These observations indicated that the PI3K/AKT pathway and the balance of TrkA/p75NTR are likely to serve as potential therapeutic targets for DE. In addition, ALA could be a possible therapeutic drug for DE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yan
- Department of Endocrinology, Huai'an Cancer Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai TCM-Integrated Institute of Vascular Anomalies, Shanghai, China
| | - Danqing Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Hospital Affiliated To Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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Herrera-Espejo S, Santos-Zorrozua B, Alvarez-Gonzalez P, Martin-Guerrero I, M de Pancorbo M, Garcia-Orad A, Lopez-Lopez E. A Genome-Wide Study of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in MicroRNAs and Further In Silico Analysis Reveals Their Putative Role in Susceptibility to Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 58:55-64. [PMID: 32892277 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of growing relevance in an aging society for which predictive biomarkers are needed. Many genes involved in LOAD are tightly controlled by microRNAs (miRNAs), which can be modulated by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our aim was to determine the association between SNPs in miRNAs and LOAD. We selected all SNPs in pre-miRNAs with a minor allele frequency (MAF) > 1% and genotyped them in a cohort of 229 individuals diagnosed with LOAD and 237 unrelated healthy controls. In silico analyses were performed to predict the effect of SNPs on miRNA stability and detect downstream pathways. Four SNPs were associated with LOAD risk with a p value < 0.01 (rs74704964 in hsa-miR-518d, rs71363366 in hsa-miR-1283-2, rs11983381 in hsa-miR-4653, and rs10934682 in hsa-miR-544b). In silico analyses support a possible functional effect of those SNPs in miRNA levels and in the regulation of pathways of relevance for the development of LOAD. Although the results are promising, additional studies are needed to validate the association between SNPs in miRNAs and the risk of developing LOAD. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Herrera-Espejo
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Borja Santos-Zorrozua
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Paula Alvarez-Gonzalez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Idoia Martin-Guerrero
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Marian M de Pancorbo
- BIOMICs Research Group, Centro de Investigación "Lascaray" Ikergunea, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Africa Garcia-Orad
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Elixabet Lopez-Lopez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain. .,BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
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Zhan Z, Wu Y, Liu Z, Quan Y, Li D, Huang Y, Yang S, Wu K, Huang L, Yu M. Reduced Dendritic Spines in the Visual Cortex Contralateral to the Optic Nerve Crush Eye in Adult Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:55. [PMID: 32866269 PMCID: PMC7463183 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.10.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine alteration of dendritic spines and associated changes in the primary visual cortex (V1 region) related to unilateral optic nerve crush (ONC) in adult mice. Methods Adult unilateral ONC mice were established. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Visual function was estimated by flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs). Dendritic spines were observed in the V1 region contralateral to the ONC eye by two-photon imaging in vivo. The neurons, reactive astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and activated microglia were assessed by NeuN, glial fibrillary acidic protein, CNPase, and CD68 in immunohistochemistry, respectively. Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and the markers in TrkB trafficking were estimated using western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation. Transmission electron microscopy and western blotting were used to evaluate autophagy. Results The amplitude and latency of FVEPs were decreased and delayed at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after ONC, and RNFL thickness was decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after ONC. Dendritic spines were reduced in the V1 region contralateral to the ONC eye at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after ONC, with an unchanged number of neurons. Reactive astrocyte staining was increased at 2 and 4 weeks after ONC, but oligodendrocyte and activated microglia staining remained unchanged. TrkB was reduced with changes in the major trafficking proteins, and enhanced autophagy was observed in the V1 region contralateral to the ONC eye. Conclusions Dendritic spines were reduced in the V1 region contralateral to the ONC eye in adult mice. Reactive astrocytes and decreased TrkB may be associated with the reduced dendritic spines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyi Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yali Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zitian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yadan Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Deling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiru Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shana Yang
- Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kaili Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lianyan Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minbin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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de Girolamo P, Leggieri A, Palladino A, Lucini C, Attanasio C, D’Angelo L. Cholinergic System and NGF Receptors: Insights from the Brain of the Short-Lived Fish Nothobranchius furzeri. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060394. [PMID: 32575701 PMCID: PMC7348706 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors are evolutionary conserved molecules, and in mammals are considered necessary for ensuring the survival of cholinergic neurons. The age-dependent regulation of NTRK1/NTRKA and p75/NGFR in mammalian brain results in a reduced response of the cholinergic neurons to neurotrophic factors and is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we study the age-dependent expression of NGF receptors (NTRK1/NTRKA and p75/NGFR) in the brain of the short-lived teleost fish Nothobranchius furzeri. We observed that NTRK1/NTRKA is more expressed than p75/NGFR in young and old animals, although both receptors do not show a significant age-dependent change. We then study the neuroanatomical organization of the cholinergic system, observing that cholinergic fibers project over the entire neuroaxis while cholinergic neurons appear restricted to few nuclei situated in the equivalent of mammalian subpallium, preoptic area and rostral reticular formation. Finally, our experiments do not confirm that NTRK1/NTRKA and p75/NGFR are expressed in cholinergic neuronal populations in the adult brain of N. furzeri. To our knowledge, this is the first study where NGF receptors have been analyzed in relation to the cholinergic system in a fish species along with their age-dependent modulation. We observed differences between mammals and fish, which make the African turquoise killifish an attractive model to further investigate the fish specific NGF receptors regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo de Girolamo
- Department Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80137, Italy; (A.L.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (L.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-2536099
| | - Adele Leggieri
- Department Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80137, Italy; (A.L.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (L.D.)
| | - Antonio Palladino
- CESMA—Centro Servizi metereologici e Tecnologici Avanzati, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Carla Lucini
- Department Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80137, Italy; (A.L.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (L.D.)
| | - Chiara Attanasio
- Department Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80137, Italy; (A.L.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (L.D.)
| | - Livia D’Angelo
- Department Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80137, Italy; (A.L.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (L.D.)
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Roles of TrkC Signaling in the Regulation of Tumorigenicity and Metastasis of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010147. [PMID: 31936239 PMCID: PMC7016819 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) C contributes to the clinicopathology of a variety of human cancers, and new chimeric oncoproteins containing the tyrosine kinase domain of TrkC occur after fusion to the partner genes. Overexpression of TrkC and TrkC fusion proteins was observed in patients with a variety of cancers, including mesenchymal, hematopoietic, and those of epithelial cell lineage. Both microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in the regulation of TrkC expression through transcriptional and posttranscriptional alteration. Aberrant activation of TrkC and TrkC fusion proteins markedly induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, growth rate, tumorigenic capacity via constitutive activation of Ras-MAP kinase (MAPK), PI3K-AKT, and the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. The clinical trial of TrkC or TrkC fusion-positive cancers with newly developed Trk inhibitors demonstrated that Trk inhibitors were highly effective in inducing tumor regression in patients who do not harbor mutations in the kinase domain. Recently, there has been a progressive accumulation of mutations in TrkC or the TrkC fusion protein detected in the clinic and its related cancer cell lines caused by high-throughput DNA sequencing. Despite given the high overall response rate against Trk or Trk fusion proteins-positive solid tumors, acquired drug resistance was observed in patients with various cancers caused by mutations in the Trk kinase domain. To overcome acquired resistance caused by kinase domain mutation, next-generation Trk inhibitors have been developed, and these inhibitors are currently under investigation in clinical trials.
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Xhima K, Markham-Coultes K, Nedev H, Heinen S, Saragovi HU, Hynynen K, Aubert I. Focused ultrasound delivery of a selective TrkA agonist rescues cholinergic function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaax6646. [PMID: 32010781 PMCID: PMC6976301 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax6646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The degeneration of cholinergic neurons is a prominent feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In animal models of injury and aging, nerve growth factor (NGF) enhances cholinergic cell survival and function, contributing to improved memory. In the presence of AD pathology, however, NGF-related therapeutics have yet to fulfill their regenerative potential. We propose that stimulating the TrkA receptor, without p75NTR activation, is key for therapeutic efficacy. Supporting this hypothesis, the selective TrkA agonist D3 rescued neurotrophin signaling in TgCRND8 mice, whereas NGF, interacting with both TrkA and p75NTR, did not. D3, delivered intravenously and noninvasively to the basal forebrain using MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS)-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability activated TrkA-related signaling cascades and enhanced cholinergic neurotransmission. Recent clinical trials support the safety and feasibility of MRIgFUS BBB modulation in AD patients. Neuroprotective agents targeting TrkA, combined with MRIgFUS BBB modulation, represent a promising strategy to counter neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Xhima
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - K. Markham-Coultes
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - H. Nedev
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - S. Heinen
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - H. U. Saragovi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - K. Hynynen
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - I. Aubert
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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