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Su Y, Huang M, Thomas AG, Maragakis J, Huizar KDJ, Zheng Y, Wu Y, Farah MH, Slusher BS. GCPII Inhibition Promotes Remyelination after Peripheral Nerve Injury in Aged Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6893. [PMID: 39000003 PMCID: PMC11241013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136893] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) represent a significant clinical challenge, particularly in elderly populations where axonal remyelination and regeneration are impaired. Developing therapies to enhance these processes is crucial for improving PNI repair outcomes. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a neuropeptidase that plays a pivotal role in modulating glutamate signaling through its enzymatic cleavage of the abundant neuropeptide N-acetyl aspartyl glutamate (NAAG) to liberate glutamate. Within the PNS, GCPII is expressed in Schwann cells and activated macrophages, and its expression is amplified with aging. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of inhibiting GCPII activity following PNI. We report significant GCPII protein and activity upregulation following PNI, which was normalized by the potent and selective GCPII inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). In vitro, 2-PMPA robustly enhanced myelination in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants. In vivo, using a sciatic nerve crush injury model in aged mice, 2-PMPA accelerated remyelination, as evidenced by increased myelin sheath thickness and higher numbers of remyelinated axons. These findings suggest that GCPII inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance remyelination and potentially improve functional recovery after PNI, which is especially relevant in elderly PNI patients where this process is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Su
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Meixiang Huang
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ajit G. Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
| | - John Maragakis
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
| | - Kaitlyn D. J. Huizar
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
| | - Ying Wu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
| | - Mohamed H. Farah
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (Y.S.); (M.H.); (A.G.T.); (J.M.); (K.D.J.H.); (Y.Z.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Sedlák F, Kvasnička A, Marešová B, Brumarová R, Dobešová D, Dostálová K, Šrámková K, Pehr M, Šácha P, Friedecký D, Konvalinka J. Parallel Metabolomics and Lipidomics of a PSMA/GCPII Deficient Mouse Model Reveal Alteration of NAAG Levels and Brain Lipid Composition. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1342-1355. [PMID: 38377674 PMCID: PMC10995945 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00494] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII, also known as PSMA or FOLH1) is responsible for the cleavage of N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) to N-acetyl-aspartate and glutamate in the central nervous system and facilitates the intestinal absorption of folate by processing dietary folyl-poly-γ-glutamate in the small intestine. The physiological function of GCPII in other organs like kidneys is still not known. GCPII inhibitors are neuroprotective in various conditions (e.g., ischemic brain injury) in vivo; however, their utilization as potential drug candidates has not been investigated in regard to not yet known GCPII activities. To explore the GCPII role and possible side effects of GCPII inhibitors, we performed parallel metabolomic and lipidomic analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, plasma, and brain tissue of mice with varying degrees of GCPII deficiency (fully deficient in Folh1, -/-; one allele deficient in Folh1, +/-; and wild type, +/+). Multivariate analysis of metabolites showed no significant differences between wild-type and GCPII-deficient mice (except for NAAG), although changes were observed between the sex and age. NAAG levels were statistically significantly increased in the CSF, urine, and plasma of GCPII-deficient mice. However, no difference in NAAG concentrations was found in the whole brain lysate likely because GCPII, as an extracellular enzyme, can affect only extracellular and not intracellular NAAG concentrations. Regarding the lipidome, the most pronounced genotype-linked changes were found in the brain tissue. In brains of GCPII-deficient mice, we observed statistically significant enrichment in phosphatidylcholine-based lipids and reduction of sphingolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens. We hypothesize that the alteration of the NAA-NAAG axis by absent GCPII activity affected myelin composition. In summary, the absence of GCPII and thus similarly its inhibition do not have detrimental effects on metabolism, with just minor changes in the brain lipidome.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Sedlák
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 166 10, Czechia
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2 110 01, Czechia
- First
Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, Charles University General Hospital in Prague, Prague 110 01, Czechia
| | - Aleš Kvasnička
- Laboratory
for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Olomouc, and Faculty of Medicine
and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Zdravotníku° 248/7, Olomouc 779 00, Czechia
| | - Barbora Marešová
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 166 10, Czechia
- Institute
of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2 110 01, Czechia
| | - Radana Brumarová
- Laboratory
for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Olomouc, and Faculty of Medicine
and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Zdravotníku° 248/7, Olomouc 779 00, Czechia
| | - Dana Dobešová
- Laboratory
for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Olomouc, and Faculty of Medicine
and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Zdravotníku° 248/7, Olomouc 779 00, Czechia
| | - Kateřina Dostálová
- Laboratory
for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Olomouc, and Faculty of Medicine
and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Zdravotníku° 248/7, Olomouc 779 00, Czechia
| | - Karolína Šrámková
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 166 10, Czechia
| | - Martin Pehr
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 166 10, Czechia
- Third
Department of Medicine − Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism
of the first Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in
Prague, Charles University, Prague 110 01, Czechia
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 166 10, Czechia
| | - David Friedecký
- Laboratory
for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Olomouc, and Faculty of Medicine
and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Zdravotníku° 248/7, Olomouc 779 00, Czechia
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague 6 166 10, Czechia
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles
University, Hlavova 8, Prague 128 00, Czechia
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Panska L, Nedvedova S, Vacek V, Krivska D, Konecny L, Knop F, Kutil Z, Skultetyova L, Leontovyc A, Ulrychova L, Sakanari J, Asahina M, Barinka C, Macurkova M, Dvorak J. Uncovering the essential roles of glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 orthologs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20230502. [PMID: 38108122 PMCID: PMC10794815 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230502] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 (GCP2) from the M28B metalloprotease group is an important target for therapy in neurological disorders and an established tumor marker. However, its physiological functions remain unclear. To better understand general roles, we used the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to genetically manipulate its three existing orthologous genes and evaluate the impact on worm physiology. The results of gene knockout studies showed that C. elegans GCP2 orthologs affect the pharyngeal physiology, reproduction, and structural integrity of the organism. Promoter-driven GFP expression revealed distinct localization for each of the three gene paralogs, with gcp-2.1 being most abundant in muscles, intestine, and pharyngeal interneurons, gcp-2.2 restricted to the phasmid neurons, and gcp-2.3 located in the excretory cell. The present study provides new insight into the unique phenotypic effects of GCP2 gene knockouts in C. elegans, and the specific tissue localizations. We believe that elucidation of particular roles in a non-mammalian organism can help to explain important questions linked to physiology of this protease group and in extension to human GCP2 involvement in pathophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Panska
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Stepanka Nedvedova
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vacek
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Krivska
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Konecny
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague 2 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Knop
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague 2 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Zsofia Kutil
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Lubica Skultetyova
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Adrian Leontovyc
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Ulrychova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague 2 128 00, Czech Republic
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Judy Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 1700 4th Street, CA 94143, USA
| | - Masako Asahina
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, CA 94143, U.S.A
| | - Cyril Barinka
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Macurkova
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague 2 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvorak
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
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Ji T, Pang Y, Cheng M, Wang R, Chen X, Zhang C, Liu M, Zhang J, Zhong C. Deletion of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), but not GCPIII, provided long-term benefits in mice with traumatic brain injury. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3786-3801. [PMID: 37349952 PMCID: PMC10651966 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
MAIN PROBLEM N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) has neuroprotective effects in traumatic brain injury (TBI) by activating metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3) and reducing glutamate release. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is the primary enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of NAAG. It remains unclear whether glutamate carboxypeptidase III (GCPIII), a homolog of GCPII, can partially compensate for GCPII's function. METHODS GCPII-/- , GCPIII-/- , and GCPII/III-/- mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Mice brain injury model was established through moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI). The relationship between GCPII and GCPIII was explored by analyzing injury response signals in the hippocampus and cortex of mice with different genotypes at the acute (1 day) and subacute (7 day) phase after TBI. RESULTS In this study, we found that deletion of GCPII reduced glutamate production, excitotoxicity, and neuronal damage and improved cognitive function, but GCPIII deletion had no significant neuroprotective effect. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the neuroprotective effect between the combination of GCPII and GCPIII deletion and GCPII deletion alone. CONCLUSION These results suggest that GCPII inhibition may be a therapeutic option for TBI, and that GCPIII may not act as a complementary enzyme to GCPII in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongjie Ji
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Pang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Meng Cheng
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Min Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Institute for Advanced StudyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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Arnsten AFT, Ishizawa Y, Xie Z. Scientific rationale for the use of α2A-adrenoceptor agonists in treating neuroinflammatory cognitive disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4540-4552. [PMID: 37029295 PMCID: PMC10080530 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammatory disorders preferentially impair the higher cognitive and executive functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This includes such challenging disorders as delirium, perioperative neurocognitive disorder, and the sustained cognitive deficits from "long-COVID" or traumatic brain injury. There are no FDA-approved treatments for these symptoms; thus, understanding their etiology is important for generating therapeutic strategies. The current review describes the molecular rationale for why PFC circuits are especially vulnerable to inflammation, and how α2A-adrenoceptor (α2A-AR) actions throughout the nervous and immune systems can benefit the circuits in PFC needed for higher cognition. The layer III circuits in the dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC) that generate and sustain the mental representations needed for higher cognition have unusual neurotransmission and neuromodulation. They are wholly dependent on NMDAR neurotransmission, with little AMPAR contribution, and thus are especially vulnerable to kynurenic acid inflammatory signaling which blocks NMDAR. Layer III dlPFC spines also have unusual neuromodulation, with cAMP magnification of calcium signaling in spines, which opens nearby potassium channels to rapidly weaken connectivity and reduce neuronal firing. This process must be tightly regulated, e.g. by mGluR3 or α2A-AR on spines, to prevent loss of firing. However, the production of GCPII inflammatory signaling reduces mGluR3 actions and markedly diminishes dlPFC network firing. Both basic and clinical studies show that α2A-AR agonists such as guanfacine can restore dlPFC network firing and cognitive function, through direct actions in the dlPFC, but also by reducing the activity of stress-related circuits, e.g. in the locus coeruleus and amygdala, and by having anti-inflammatory actions in the immune system. This information is particularly timely, as guanfacine is currently the focus of large clinical trials for the treatment of delirium, and in open label studies for the treatment of cognitive deficits from long-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy F T Arnsten
- Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 056510, USA.
| | - Yumiko Ishizawa
- Department Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Zhongcong Xie
- Department Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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Ji T, Pang Y, Cheng M, Wang R, Chen X, Zhang C, Liu M, Zhang J, Zhong C. mNSCs overexpressing Rimkla transplantation facilitates cognitive recovery in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury. iScience 2023; 26:107913. [PMID: 37810220 PMCID: PMC10550729 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
N-acetyl aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) is easily inactivated for the hydrolysis of NAAG peptidase on the surface of glial cells, thereby losing its endogenous neuroprotective effect after traumatic brain injury. In this study, lentiviral vectors were used to over express/knock out NAAG synthetase II (Rimkla) in mouse embryonic neural stem cells (mNSCs) in vitro and these mNSCs were transplanted at the lesion site in a mouse model of controlled cortical impact (CCI). In vivo experiments showed that transplantation of mNSCs overexpressing Rimkla regulated glutamate-glutamine cycling between adjacent astrocytes and neurons in the subacute phase of CCI, thereby enhancing support for neuronal metabolism and promoting neuronal synaptic repair in the hippocampal CA3 region. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that transplantation of neural stem cells overexpressing Rimkla can effectively increase the NAAG concentration in local brain regions, which opens up new ideas for the maintenance of NAAG neuroprotective effects after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongjie Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Bathla S, Datta D, Liang F, Barthelemy N, Wiseman R, Slusher BS, Asher J, Zeiss C, Ekanayake‐Alper D, Holden D, Terwilliger G, Duque A, Arellano J, van Dyck C, Bateman RJ, Xie Z, Nairn AC, Arnsten AFT. Chronic GCPII (glutamate-carboxypeptidase-II) inhibition reduces pT217Tau levels in the entorhinal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of aged macaques. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2023; 9:e12431. [PMID: 37915375 PMCID: PMC10617575 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Current approaches for treating sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) focus on removal of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) or phosphorylated tau, but additional strategies are needed to reduce neuropathology at earlier stages prior to neuronal damage. Longstanding data show that calcium dysregulation is a key etiological factor in sAD, and the cortical neurons most vulnerable to tau pathology show magnified calcium signaling, for example in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and entorhinal cortex (ERC). In primate dlPFC and ERC, type 3 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR3s) are predominately post-synaptic, on spines, where they regulate cAMP-calcium signaling, a process eroded by inflammatory glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) actions. The current study tested whether enhancing mGluR3 regulation of calcium via chronic inhibition of GCPII would reduce tau hyperphosphorylation in aged macaques with naturally-occurring tau pathology. Methods Aged rhesus macaques were treated daily with the GCPII inhibitor, 2-MPPA (2-3-mercaptopropyl-penanedioic acid (2-MPPA)),Aged rhesus macaques were treated daily with the GCPII inhibitor, 2-MPPA (2-3-mercaptopropyl-penanedioic acid (2-MPPA)). Results Aged macaques that received 2-MPPA had significantly lower pT217Tau levels in dlPFC and ERC, and had lowered plasma pT217Tau levels from baseline. pT217Tau levels correlated significantly with GCPII activity in dlPFC. Both 2-MPPA- and vehicle-treated monkeys showed cognitive improvement; 2-MPPA had no apparent side effects. Exploratory CSF analyses indicated reduced pS202Tau with 2-MPPA administration, confirmed in dlPFC samples. Discussion These data provide proof-of-concept support that GCPII inhibition can reduce tau hyperphosphorylation in the primate cortices most vulnerable in sAD. GCPII inhibition may be particularly helpful in reducing the risk of sAD caused by inflammation. These data in nonhuman primates should encourage future research on this promising mechanism. Highlights Inflammation is a key driver of sporadic Alzheimer's disease.GCPII inflammatory signaling in brain decreases mGluR3 regulation of calcium.Chronic inhibition of GCPII inflammatory signaling reduced pT217Tau in aged monkeys.GCPII inhibition is a novel strategy to help prevent tau pathology at early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shveta Bathla
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Dibyadeep Datta
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Feng Liang
- Department of AnesthesiologyHarvard University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nicolas Barthelemy
- Department of NeurologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Robyn Wiseman
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Drug DiscoveryJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Drug DiscoveryJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Jennifer Asher
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Caroline Zeiss
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Dil Ekanayake‐Alper
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Daniel Holden
- Departments of RadiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Gordon Terwilliger
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Alvaro Duque
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Jon Arellano
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Christopher van Dyck
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Randall J. Bateman
- Departments of RadiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Zhongcong Xie
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Angus C. Nairn
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Amy F. T. Arnsten
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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Morland C, Nordengen K. N-Acetyl-Aspartyl-Glutamate in Brain Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031268. [PMID: 35163193 PMCID: PMC8836185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) is the most abundant dipeptide in the brain, where it acts as a neuromodulator of glutamatergic synapses by activating presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3). Recent data suggest that NAAG is selectively localized to postsynaptic dendrites in glutamatergic synapses and that it works as a retrograde neurotransmitter. NAAG is released in response to glutamate and provides the postsynaptic neuron with a feedback mechanisms to inhibit excessive glutamate signaling. A key regulator of synaptically available NAAG is rapid degradation by the extracellular enzyme glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII). Increasing endogenous NAAG—for instance by inhibiting GCPII—is a promising treatment option for many brain disorders where glutamatergic excitotoxicity plays a role. The main effect of NAAG occurs through increased mGluR3 activation and thereby reduced glutamate release. In the present review, we summarize the transmitter role of NAAG and discuss the involvement of NAAG in normal brain physiology. We further present the suggested roles of NAAG in various neurological and psychiatric diseases and discuss the therapeutic potential of strategies aiming to enhance NAAG levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Morland
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 1068 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (K.N.); Tel.: +47-22844937; (C.M.); +47-23073580 (K.N.)
| | - Kaja Nordengen
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (K.N.); Tel.: +47-22844937; (C.M.); +47-23073580 (K.N.)
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9
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Datta D, Leslie SN, Woo E, Amancharla N, Elmansy A, Lepe M, Mecca AP, Slusher BS, Nairn AC, Arnsten AFT. Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II in Aging Rat Prefrontal Cortex Impairs Working Memory Performance. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:760270. [PMID: 34867287 PMCID: PMC8634091 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.760270] [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: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) expression in brain is increased by inflammation, and reduces NAAG (N-acetyl aspartyl glutamate) stimulation of mGluR3 signaling. Genetic insults in this signaling cascade are increasingly linked to cognitive disorders in humans, where increased GCPII and or decreased NAAG-mGluR3 are associated with impaired prefrontal cortical (PFC) activation and cognitive impairment. As aging is associated with increased inflammation and PFC cognitive deficits, the current study examined GCPII and mGluR3 expression in the aging rat medial PFC, and tested whether GCPII inhibition with 2-(3-mercaptopropyl) pentanedioic acid (2-MPPA) would improve working memory performance. We found that GCPII protein was expressed on astrocytes and some microglia as expected from previous studies, but was also prominently expressed on neurons, and showed increased levels with advancing age. Systemic administration of the GCPII inhibitor, 2-MPPA, improved working memory performance in young and aged rats, and also improved performance after local infusion into the medial PFC. As GCPII inhibitors are well-tolerated, they may provide an important new direction for treatment of cognitive disorders associated with aging and/or inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibyadeep Datta
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shannon N Leslie
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Elizabeth Woo
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Nishita Amancharla
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Ayah Elmansy
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Miguel Lepe
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Adam P Mecca
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Department of Neurology and Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Angus C Nairn
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Amy F T Arnsten
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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10
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Requena-Jimenez A, Nabiuni M, Miyan JA. Profound changes in cerebrospinal fluid proteome and metabolic profile are associated with congenital hydrocephalus. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:3400-3414. [PMID: 34415213 PMCID: PMC8669293 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211039612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aetiology of congenital hydrocephalus (cHC) has yet to be resolved. cHC manifests late in rodent gestation, and by 18-22 weeks in human fetuses, coinciding with the start of the major phase of cerebral cortex development. Previously we found that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation is associated with compositional changes, folate metabolic impairment and consequential arrest in cortical development. Here, we report a proteomics study on hydrocephalic and normal rat CSF using LC-MSMS and a metabolic pathway analysis to determine the major changes in metabolic and signalling pathways. Non-targeted analysis revealed a proteome transformation across embryonic days 17-20, with the largest changes between day 19 and 20. This provides evidence for a physiological shift in CSF composition and identifies some of the molecular mechanisms unleashed during the onset of cHC. Top molecular regulators that may control the shift in the CSF metabolic signature are also predicted, with potential key biomarkers proposed for early detection of these changes that might be used to develop targeted early therapies for this condition. This study confirms previous findings of a folate metabolic imbalance as well as providing more in depth metabolic analysis and understanding of cHC CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Requena-Jimenez
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mohammad Nabiuni
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jaleel A Miyan
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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11
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Inampudi C, Ciccotosto GD, Cappai R, Crack PJ. Genetic Modulators of Traumatic Brain Injury in Animal Models and the Impact of Sex-Dependent Effects. J Neurotrauma 2021; 37:706-723. [PMID: 32027210 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem causing disability and death worldwide. There is no effective treatment, due in part to the complexity of the injury pathology and factors affecting its outcome. The extent of brain injury depends on the type of insult, age, sex, lifestyle, genetic risk factors, socioeconomic status, other co-injuries, and underlying health problems. This review discusses the genes that have been directly tested in TBI models, and whether their effects are known to be sex-dependent. Sex differences can affect the incidence, symptom onset, pathology, and clinical outcomes following injury. Adult males are more susceptible at the acute phase and females show greater injury in the chronic phase. TBI is not restricted to a single sex; despite variations in the degree of symptom onset and severity, it is important to consider both female and male animals in TBI pre-clinical research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Inampudi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Giuseppe D Ciccotosto
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roberto Cappai
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Crack
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Arnsten AFT, Datta D, Wang M. The genie in the bottle-magnified calcium signaling in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3684-3700. [PMID: 33319854 PMCID: PMC8203737 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00973-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurons in the association cortices are particularly vulnerable in cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, while those in primary visual cortex remain relatively resilient. This review proposes that the special molecular mechanisms needed for higher cognitive operations confer vulnerability to dysfunction, atrophy, and neurodegeneration when regulation is lost due to genetic and/or environmental insults. Accumulating data suggest that higher cortical circuits rely on magnified levels of calcium (from NMDAR, calcium channels, and/or internal release from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum) near the postsynaptic density to promote the persistent firing needed to maintain, manipulate, and store information without "bottom-up" sensory stimulation. For example, dendritic spines in the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) express the molecular machinery for feedforward, cAMP-PKA-calcium signaling. PKA can drive internal calcium release and promote calcium flow through NMDAR and calcium channels, while in turn, calcium activates adenylyl cyclases to produce more cAMP-PKA signaling. Excessive levels of cAMP-calcium signaling can have a number of detrimental effects: for example, opening nearby K+ channels to weaken synaptic efficacy and reduce neuronal firing, and over a longer timeframe, driving calcium overload of mitochondria to induce inflammation and dendritic atrophy. Thus, calcium-cAMP signaling must be tightly regulated, e.g., by agents that catabolize cAMP or inhibit its production (PDE4, mGluR3), and by proteins that bind calcium in the cytosol (calbindin). Many genetic or inflammatory insults early in life weaken the regulation of calcium-cAMP signaling and are associated with increased risk of schizophrenia (e.g., GRM3). Age-related loss of regulatory proteins which result in elevated calcium-cAMP signaling over a long lifespan can additionally drive tau phosphorylation, amyloid pathology, and neurodegeneration, especially when protective calcium binding proteins are lost from the cytosol. Thus, the "genie" we need for our remarkable cognitive abilities may make us vulnerable to cognitive disorders when we lose essential regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy F T Arnsten
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Dibyadeep Datta
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
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13
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Hyväkkä A, Virtanen V, Kemppainen J, Grönroos TJ, Minn H, Sundvall M. More Than Meets the Eye: Scientific Rationale behind Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Targeting of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) in Metastatic Prostate Cancer and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092244. [PMID: 34067046 PMCID: PMC8125679 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092244] [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: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane protein that is overexpressed in prostate cancer and correlates with the aggressiveness of the disease. PSMA is a promising target for imaging and therapeutics in prostate cancer patients validated in prospective trials. However, the role of PSMA in prostate cancer progression is poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the biology and scientific rationale behind the use of PSMA and other targets in the detection and theranostics of metastatic prostate cancer. Abstract Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer type in men globally. Although the prognosis for localized prostate cancer is good, no curative treatments are available for metastatic disease. Better diagnostic methods could help target therapies and improve the outcome. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed on malignant prostate tumor cells and correlates with the aggressiveness of the disease. PSMA is a clinically validated target for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging-based diagnostics in prostate cancer, and during recent years several therapeutics have been developed based on PSMA expression and activity. The expression of PSMA in prostate cancer can be very heterogeneous and some metastases are negative for PSMA. Determinants that dictate clinical responses to PSMA-targeting therapeutics are not well known. Moreover, it is not clear how to manipulate PSMA expression for therapeutic purposes and develop rational treatment combinations. A deeper understanding of the biology behind the use of PSMA would help the development of theranostics with radiolabeled compounds and other PSMA-based therapeutic approaches. Along with PSMA several other targets have also been evaluated or are currently under investigation in preclinical or clinical settings in prostate cancer. Here we critically elaborate the biology and scientific rationale behind the use of PSMA and other targets in the detection and therapeutic targeting of metastatic prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Hyväkkä
- Institute of Biomedicine, Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.H.); (V.V.)
| | - Verneri Virtanen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.H.); (V.V.)
- Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM), University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jukka Kemppainen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, FI-20521 Turku, Finland;
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
- Docrates Cancer Center, FI-00180 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tove J. Grönroos
- Preclinical Imaging Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - Heikki Minn
- Department of Oncology, FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, FI-20521 Turku, Finland;
| | - Maria Sundvall
- Institute of Biomedicine, Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.H.); (V.V.)
- Department of Oncology, FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, FI-20521 Turku, Finland;
- Correspondence:
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14
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Bratek E, Ziembowicz A, Salinska E. N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) Pretreatment Reduces Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage and Oxidative Stress in Neonatal Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9090877. [PMID: 32957477 PMCID: PMC7555246 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9090877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), the most abundant peptide transmitter in the mammalian nervous system, activates mGluR3 at presynaptic sites, inhibiting the release of glutamate, and acts on mGluR3 on astrocytes, stimulating the release of neuroprotective growth factors (TGF-β). NAAG can also affect N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in both synaptic and extrasynaptic regions. NAAG reduces neurodegeneration in a neonatal rat model of hypoxia-ischemia (HI), although the exact mechanism is not fully recognized. In the present study, the effect of NAAG application 24 or 1 h before experimental birth asphyxia on oxidative stress markers and the potential mechanisms of neuroprotection on 7-day old rats was investigated. The intraperitoneal application of NAAG at either time point before HI significantly reduced the weight deficit of the ischemic brain hemisphere, radical oxygen species (ROS) content and activity of antioxidant enzymes, and increased the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH). No additional increase in the TGF-β concentration was observed after NAAG application. The fast metabolism of NAAG and the decrease in TGF-β concentration that resulted from NAAG pretreatment, performed up to 24 h before HI, excluded the involvement mGluR3 in neuroprotection. The observed effect may be explained by the activation of NMDA receptors induced by NAAG pretreatment 24 h before HI. Inhibition of the NAAG effect by memantine supports this conclusion. NAAG preconditioning 1 h before HI results in a mixture of mGluR3 and NMDA receptor activation. Preconditioning with NAAG induces the antioxidative defense system triggered by mild excitotoxicity in neurons. Moreover, this response to NAAG pretreatment is consistent with the commonly accepted mechanism of preconditioning. However, this theory requires further investigation.
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15
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Neale JH, Yamamoto T. N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) and glutamate carboxypeptidase II: An abundant peptide neurotransmitter-enzyme system with multiple clinical applications. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 184:101722. [PMID: 31730793 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is the third most prevalent neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system, yet its therapeutic potential is only now being fully recognized. Drugs that inhibit the inactivation of NAAG by glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) increase its extracellular concentration and its activation of its receptor, mGluR3. These drugs warrant attention, as they are effective in animal models of several clinical disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia. In inflammatory and neuropathic pain studies, GCPII inhibitors moderated both the primary and secondary pain responses when given systemically, locally or in brain regions associated with the pain perception pathway. The finding that GCPII inhibition also moderated the motor and cognitive effects of ethanol intoxication led to the discovery of their procognitive efficacy in long-term memory tests in control mice and in short-term memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. NAAG and GCPII inhibitors respectively reduce cocaine self-administration and the rewarding effects of a synthetic stimulant. Most recently, GCPII inhibition also has been reported to be efficacious in a model of inflammatory bowel disease. GCPII was first discovered as a protein expressed by and released from metastatic prostate cells where it is known as prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). GCPII inhibitors with high affinity for this protein have been developed as prostate imaging and radiochemical therapies for prostate cancer. Taken together, these data militate in favor of the development and application of GCPII inhibitors in more advanced preclinical research as a prelude to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H Neale
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37(th) and O Sts., NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
| | - Tatsuo Yamamoto
- Dept. of Anesthesiology, Kumamoto University., Kumamoto, Japan
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16
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Dash RP, Tichý T, Veeravalli V, Lam J, Alt J, Wu Y, Tenora L, Majer P, Slusher BS, Rais R. Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of 2-(Phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic Acid (2-PMPA) from its (5-Methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl (ODOL)-Based Prodrugs. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:4292-4301. [PMID: 31503493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
2-(Phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) is a potent (IC50 = 300 pM) and selective inhibitor of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) with efficacy in multiple neurological and psychiatric disease preclinical models and more recently in models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. 2-PMPA (1), however, has not been clinically developed due to its poor oral bioavailability (<1%) imparted by its four acidic functionalities (c Log P = -1.14). In an attempt to improve the oral bioavailability of 2-PMPA, we explored a prodrug approach using (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl (ODOL), an FDA-approved promoiety, and systematically masked two (2), three (3), or all four (4) of its acidic groups. The prodrugs were evaluated for in vitro stability and in vivo pharmacokinetics in mice and dog. Prodrugs 2, 3, and 4 were found to be moderately stable at pH 7.4 in phosphate-buffered saline (57, 63, and 54% remaining at 1 h, respectively), but rapidly hydrolyzed in plasma and liver microsomes, across species. In vivo, in a single time-point screening study in mice, 10 mg/kg 2-PMPA equivalent doses of 2, 3, and 4 delivered significantly higher 2-PMPA plasma concentrations (3.65 ± 0.37, 3.56 ± 0.46, and 17.3 ± 5.03 nmol/mL, respectively) versus 2-PMPA (0.25 ± 0.02 nmol/mL). Given that prodrug 4 delivered the highest 2-PMPA levels, we next evaluated it in an extended time-course pharmacokinetic study in mice. 4 demonstrated an 80-fold enhancement in exposure versus oral 2-PMPA (AUC0-t: 52.1 ± 5.9 versus 0.65 ± 0.13 h*nmol/mL) with a calculated absolute oral bioavailability of 50%. In mouse brain, 4 showed similar exposures to that achieved with the IV route (1.2 ± 0.2 versus 1.6 ± 0.2 h*nmol/g). Further, in dogs, relative to orally administered 2-PMPA, 4 delivered a 44-fold enhanced 2-PMPA plasma exposure (AUC0-t for 4: 62.6 h*nmol/mL versus AUC0-t for 2-PMPA: 1.44 h*nmol/mL). These results suggest that ODOL promoieties can serve as a promising strategy for enhancing the oral bioavailability of multiply charged compounds, such as 2-PMPA, and enable its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomáš Tichý
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
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17
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Jin LE, Wang M, Galvin VC, Lightbourne TC, Conn PJ, Arnsten AFT, Paspalas CD. mGluR2 versus mGluR3 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Primate Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Postsynaptic mGluR3 Strengthen Working Memory Networks. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:974-987. [PMID: 28108498 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The newly evolved circuits in layer III of primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) generate the neural representations that subserve working memory. These circuits are weakened by increased cAMP-K+ channel signaling, and are a focus of pathology in schizophrenia, aging, and Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive deficits in these disorders are increasingly associated with insults to mGluR3 metabotropic glutamate receptors, while reductions in mGluR2 appear protective. This has been perplexing, as mGluR3 has been considered glial receptors, and mGluR2 and mGluR3 have been thought to have similar functions, reducing glutamate transmission. We have discovered that, in addition to their astrocytic expression, mGluR3 is concentrated postsynaptically in spine synapses of layer III dlPFC, positioned to strengthen connectivity by inhibiting postsynaptic cAMP-K+ channel actions. In contrast, mGluR2 is principally presynaptic as expected, with only a minor postsynaptic component. Functionally, increase in the endogenous mGluR3 agonist, N-acetylaspartylglutamate, markedly enhanced dlPFC Delay cell firing during a working memory task via inhibition of cAMP signaling, while the mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator, BINA, produced an inverted-U dose-response on dlPFC Delay cell firing and working memory performance. These data illuminate why insults to mGluR3 would erode cognitive abilities, and support mGluR3 as a novel therapeutic target for higher cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu E Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Veronica C Galvin
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Taber C Lightbourne
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Peter Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-0697, USA
| | - Amy F T Arnsten
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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18
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Simons BW, Turtle NF, Ulmert DH, Abou DS, Thorek DLJ. PSMA expression in the Hi-Myc model; extended utility of a representative model of prostate adenocarcinoma for biological insight and as a drug discovery tool. Prostate 2019; 79:678-685. [PMID: 30656716 PMCID: PMC6519119 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), also known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), is highly overexpressed in primary and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). This has led to the development of radiopharmaceuticals for targeted imaging and therapy under current clinical evaluation. Despite this progress, the exact biological role of the protein in prostate cancer development and progression has not been fully elucidated. This is in part because the human PSMA and mouse PSMA (mPSMA) have different patterns of anatomical expression which confound study in the most widely utilized model organisms. Most notably, mPSMA is not expressed in the healthy murine prostate. Here, we reveal that mPSMA is highly upregulated in the prostate adenocarcinoma of the spontaneous Hi-Myc mouse model, a highly accurate and well characterized mouse model of prostate cancer development. Antibody detection and molecular imaging tools are used to confirm that mPSMA is expressed from early prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) through adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W. Simons
- Center for Comparative MedicineBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexas
| | - Norman F. Turtle
- Radiological Chemistry Imaging LaboratoryMallinckrodt Institute of RadiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouri
| | - David H. Ulmert
- Johnsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCalifornia
- Department of Molecular and Medical PharmacologyUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Diane S. Abou
- Radiological Chemistry Imaging LaboratoryMallinckrodt Institute of RadiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouri
- Radiology Cyclotron Facility, Mallinckrodt Institute of RadiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. Louis,Missouri
| | - Daniel L. J. Thorek
- Radiological Chemistry Imaging LaboratoryMallinckrodt Institute of RadiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouri
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouri
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19
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Vorlová B, Sedlák F, Kašpárek P, Šrámková K, Malý M, Zámečník J, Šácha P, Konvalinka J. A novel PSMA/GCPII-deficient mouse model shows enlarged seminal vesicles upon aging. Prostate 2019; 79:126-139. [PMID: 30256431 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), also known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), is an important diagnostic and therapeutic target in prostate cancer. PSMA/GCPII is also expressed in many healthy tissues, but its function has only been established in the brain and small intestine. Several research groups have attempted to produce PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice to study the physiological role of PSMA/GCPII in detail. The outcomes of these studies differ dramatically, ranging from embryonic lethality to production of viable PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice without any obvious phenotype. METHODS We produced PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice (hereafter also referred as Folh1-/- mice) by TALEN-mediated mutagenesis on a C57BL/6NCrl background. Using Western blot and an enzyme activity assay, we confirmed the absence of PSMA/GCPII in our Folh1-/- mice. We performed anatomical and histopathological examination of selected tissues with a focus on urogenital system. We also examined the PSMA/GCPII expression profile within the mouse urogenital system using an enzyme activity assay and confirmed the presence of PSMA/GCPII in selected tissues by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our Folh1-/- mice are viable, breed normally, and do not show any obvious phenotype. Nevertheless, aged Folh1-/- mice of 69-72 weeks exhibit seminal vesicle dilation, which is caused by accumulation of luminal fluid. This phenotype was also observed in Folh1+/- mice; the overall difference between our three cohorts (Folh1-/- , Folh1+/- , and Folh1+/+ ) was highly significant (P < 0.002). Of all studied tissues of the mouse urogenital system, only the epididymis appeared to have a physiologically relevant level of PSMA/GCPII expression. Additional experiments demonstrated that PSMA/GCPII is also present in the human epididymis. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we provide the first evidence characterizing the reproductive tissue phenotype of PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice. These findings will help lay the groundwork for future studies to reveal PSMA/GCPII function in human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Vorlová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - František Sedlák
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kašpárek
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Šrámková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Malý
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Zámečník
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Neale JH, Olszewski R. A role for N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) and mGluR3 in cognition. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 158:9-13. [PMID: 30630041 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The peptide transmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) and its receptor, the type 3 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR3, GRM3), are prevalent and widely distributed in the mammalian nervous system. Drugs that inhibit the inactivation of synaptically released NAAG have procognitive activity in object recognition and other behavioral models. These inhibitors also reverse cognitive deficits in animal models of clinical disorders. Antagonists of mGluR3 block these actions and mice that are null mutant for this receptor are insensitive to the actions of these procognitive drugs. A positive allosteric modulator of this receptor also has procognitive activity. While some data suggest that drugs acting on mGluR3 achieve their procognitive action by increasing arousal during acquisition training, exploration of the procognitive efficacy of NAAG is in its early stages and thus substantial opportunities exist to define the breadth and nature of this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H Neale
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Rafal Olszewski
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
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21
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Xu SY, Liu M, Gao Y, Cao Y, Bao JG, Lin YY, Wang Y, Luo QZ, Jiang JY, Zhong CL. Acute histopathological responses and long-term behavioral outcomes in mice with graded controlled cortical impact injury. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:997-1003. [PMID: 30762011 PMCID: PMC6404507 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.250579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While animal models of controlled cortical impact often display short-term motor dysfunction after injury, histological examinations do not show severe cortical damage. Thus, this model requires further improvement. Mice were subjected to injury at three severities using a Pin-Point™-controlled cortical impact device to establish secondary brain injury mouse models. Twenty-four hours after injury, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Fluoro-Jade B histofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were performed for brain slices. Compared to the uninjured side, we observed differences of histopathological findings, neuronal degeneration, and glial cell number in the CA2 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus on the injured side. The Morris water maze task and beam-walking test verified long-term (14–28 days) spatial learning/memory and motor balance. To conclude, the histopathological responses were positively correlated with the degree of damage, as were the long-term behavioral manifestations after controlled cortical impact. All animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Gang Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Ying Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Zhong Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Yao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Long Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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22
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Metabolite differences between glutamate carboxypeptidase II gene knockout mice and their wild-type littermates after traumatic brain injury: a 7-tesla 1H-MRS study. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:75. [PMID: 30458729 PMCID: PMC6245916 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0473-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition and remains a prominent public and medical health issue in individuals of all ages. A rapid increase in extracellular glutamate occurs after TBI, leading to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, which causes neuronal damage and further functional impairments. Although inhibition of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II) is considered a potential approach for reducing glutamate-induced excitotoxicity after TBI, further detailed evidence regarding its efficacy is required. Therefore, in this study, we examined the differences in the metabolite status between wild-type (WT) and GCP II gene-knockout (KO) mice after TBI using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a 7-tesla imaging system, and brain water-content analysis. Results Evaluation of glutamate and N-acetylaspartate concentrations revealed a decrease in both levels in the ipsilateral hippocampus at 24 h post-TBI; however, the reduction in glutamate and N-acetylaspartate levels was less marked in GCP II-KO mice than in WT mice (p < 0.05). T2 MR data and brain water-content analysis demonstrated that the extent of cortical edema and brain swelling was less in KO than in WT mice after TBI (p < 0.05). Conclusion Using two non-invasive methods, 1H-MRS and T2 MR imaging, as well as in vitro brain-water content measurements, we demonstrated that the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of GCP II-KO against brain swelling in TBI involves changes in glutamate and N-acetylaspartate levels. This knowledge may contribute towards the development of therapeutic strategies for TBI.
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Deficiency of unc-51 like kinase 1 (Ulk1) protects against mice traumatic brain injury (TBI) by suppression of p38 and JNK pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:467-473. [PMID: 29680658 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (Ulk1) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in regulating autophagy processes. We attempted to investigate the effects of Ulk1 on traumatic brain injury (TBI) progression by using wild type (WT) mice and Ulk1-knockout (KO) mice suffered with or not TBI. The results were verified using LPS-treated primary astrocyte (AST). Here, Ulk1 was over-expressed in hippocampus of WT mice after TBI, as well as in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated AST. Ulk1-deletion improved cognitive ability and hippocampus histological changes in TBI mice. Nissl and neuronal nuclei (NeuN) staining indicated that Ulk1-deletion increased the number of surviving neurons in hippocampus of TBI mice. Ulk1-ablation alleviated neuroinflammation, as evidenced by the reduced expression of hippocampus pro-inflammatory cytokines in TBI mice. TBI-induced apoptosis was also ameliorated by Ulk1-ablation, as proved by the reduced number of TUNEL-staining cells, and cleaved Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expressions. Moreover, Ulk1-knockout suppressed TBI-stimulated activation of astrocytes and microglia cells. Additionally, hippocampus autophagy induced by TBI was attenuated by Ulk1-knockout. Further, TBI-activated p38/c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) pathway was repressed by Ulk1-deletion in hippocampus of mice. The findings above were confirmed in LPS-stimulated AST with or without Ulk1 siRNA transfection. Intriguingly, pre-treatment of p38 or JNK activator markedly abolished the anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and anti-autophagy effects of Ulk1-knockdown on LPS-incubated AST. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that Ulk1 might be a potential target for developing therapeutic strategy against TBI in future.
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Kelly K, Wang JJ, Zhang SX. The unfolded protein response signaling and retinal Müller cell metabolism. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:1861-1870. [PMID: 30233053 PMCID: PMC6183030 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.239431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is one of the most energy demanding tissues in the body. Like most neurons in the central nervous system, retinal neurons consume high amounts of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) to generate visual signal and transmit the information to the brain. Disruptions in retinal metabolism can cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration resulting in severe visual impairment and even blindness. The homeostasis of retinal metabolism is tightly controlled by multiple signaling pathways, such as the unfolded protein response (UPR), and the close interactions between retinal neurons and other retinal cell types including vascular cells and Müller glia. The UPR is a highly conserved adaptive cellular response and can be triggered by many physiological stressors and pathophysiological conditions. Activation of the UPR leads to changes in glycolytic rate, ATP production, de novo serine synthesis, and the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, which are considered critical components of Müller glia metabolism and provide metabolic support to surrounding neurons. When these pathways are disrupted, neurodegeneration occurs rapidly. In this review, we summarize recent advance in studies of the UPR in Müller glia and highlight the potential role of the UPR in retinal degeneration through regulation of Müller glia metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Kelly
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience Program, Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Joshua J Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience Program, Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo; SUNY Eye Institute, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sarah X Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience Program, Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo; SUNY Eye Institute, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Schönfeld LM, Dooley D, Jahanshahi A, Temel Y, Hendrix S. Evaluating rodent motor functions: Which tests to choose? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 83:298-312. [PMID: 29107829 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Damage to the motor cortex induced by stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in chronic motor deficits. For the development and improvement of therapies, animal models which possess symptoms comparable to the clinical population are used. However, the use of experimental animals raises valid ethical and methodological concerns. To decrease discomfort by experimental procedures and to increase the quality of results, non-invasive and sensitive rodent motor tests are needed. A broad variety of rodent motor tests are available to determine deficits after stroke or TBI. The current review describes and evaluates motor tests that fall into three categories: Tests to evaluate fine motor skills and grip strength, tests for gait and inter-limb coordination and neurological deficit scores. In this review, we share our thoughts on standardized data presentation to increase data comparability between studies. We also critically evaluate current methods and provide recommendations for choosing the best behavioral test for a new research line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Maria Schönfeld
- Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Health Science Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ali Jahanshahi
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Yasin Temel
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
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26
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Liska MG, Dela Peña I. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and umbilical cord blood cell transplantation: Synergistic therapies for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. Brain Circ 2017; 3:143-151. [PMID: 30276316 PMCID: PMC6057694 DOI: 10.4103/bc.bc_19_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is now characterized as a progressive, degenerative disease and continues to stand as a prevalent cause of death and disability. The pathophysiology of TBI is complex, with a variety of secondary cell death pathways occurring which may persist chronically following the initial cerebral insult. Current therapeutic options for TBI are minimal, with surgical intervention or rehabilitation therapy existing as the only viable treatments. Considering the success of stem-cell therapies in various other neurological diseases, their use has been proposed as a potential potent therapy for patients suffering TBI. Moreover, stem cells are highly amenable to adjunctive use with other therapies, providing an opportunity to overcome the inherent limitations of using a single therapeutic agent. Our research has verified this additive potential by demonstrating the efficacy of co-delivering human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) cells with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a murine model of TBI, providing encouraging results which support the potential of this approach to treat patients suffering from TBI. These findings justify ongoing research toward uncovering the mechanisms which underlie the functional improvements exhibited by hUCB + G-CSF combination therapy, thereby facilitating its safe and effect transition into the clinic. This paper is a review article. Referred literature in this paper has been listed in the reference section. The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are available online by searching various databases, including PubMed. Some original points in this article come from the laboratory practice in our research center and the authors’ experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Liska
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ike Dela Peña
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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27
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Nedelcovych M, Dash RP, Tenora L, Zimmermann SC, Gadiano AJ, Garrett C, Alt J, Hollinger KR, Pommier E, Jančařík A, Rojas C, Thomas AG, Wu Y, Wozniak K, Majer P, Slusher BS, Rais R. Enhanced Brain Delivery of 2-(Phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic Acid Following Intranasal Administration of Its γ-Substituted Ester Prodrugs. Mol Pharm 2017; 14:3248-3257. [PMID: 28763226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
2-(Phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) is a potent and selective inhibitor of glutamate carboxypeptidase-II (GCPII) with efficacy in multiple neurological and psychiatric disease models, but its clinical utility is hampered by low brain penetration due to the inclusion of multiple acidic functionalities. We recently reported an improvement in the brain-to-plasma ratio of 2-PMPA after intranasal (IN) dosing in both rodents and primates. Herein, we describe the synthesis of several 2-PMPA prodrugs with further improved brain delivery of 2-PMPA after IN administration by masking of the γ-carboxylate. When compared to IN 2-PMPA in rats at 1 h post dose, γ-(4-acetoxybenzyl)-2-PMPA (compound 1) resulted in significantly higher 2-PMPA delivery to both plasma (4.1-fold) and brain (11-fold). Subsequent time-dependent evaluation of 1 also showed high brain as well as plasma 2-PMPA exposures with brain-to-plasma ratios of 2.2, 0.48, and 0.26 for olfactory bulb, cortex, and cerebellum, respectively, as well as an improved sciatic nerve to plasma ratio of 0.84. In contrast, IV administration of compound 1 resulted in similar plasma exposure of 2-PMPA versus the IN route (AUCIV: 76 ± 9 h·nmol/mL versus AUCIN: 99 ± 24 h·nmol/mL); but significantly lower nerve and brain tissue exposures with tissue-to-plasma ratios of 0.21, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.04 in nerve, olfactory bulb, cortex, and cerebellum, respectively. In primates, IN administration of 1 more than doubled 2-PMPA concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid relative to previously reported levels following IN 2-PMPA. The results of these experiments provide a promising strategy for testing GCPII inhibition in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrej Jančařík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague, Czech Republic
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Knedlík T, Vorlová B, Navrátil V, Tykvart J, Sedlák F, Vaculín Š, Franěk M, Šácha P, Konvalinka J. Mouse glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) has a similar enzyme activity and inhibition profile but a different tissue distribution to human GCPII. FEBS Open Bio 2017; 7:1362-1378. [PMID: 28904865 PMCID: PMC5586342 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), also known as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) or folate hydrolase, is a metallopeptidase expressed predominantly in the human brain and prostate. GCPII expression is considerably increased in prostate carcinoma, and the enzyme also participates in glutamate excitotoxicity in the brain. Therefore, GCPII represents an important diagnostic marker of prostate cancer progression and a putative target for the treatment of both prostate cancer and neuronal disorders associated with glutamate excitotoxicity. For the development of novel therapeutics, mouse models are widely used. However, although mouse GCPII activity has been characterized, a detailed comparison of the enzymatic activity and tissue distribution of the mouse and human GCPII orthologs remains lacking. In this study, we prepared extracellular mouse GCPII and compared it with human GCPII. We found that mouse GCPII possesses lower catalytic efficiency but similar substrate specificity compared with the human protein. Using a panel of GCPII inhibitors, we discovered that inhibition constants are generally similar for mouse and human GCPII. Furthermore, we observed highest expression of GCPII protein in the mouse kidney, brain, and salivary glands. Importantly, we did not detect GCPII in the mouse prostate. Our data suggest that the differences in enzymatic activity and inhibition profile are rather small; therefore, mouse GCPII can approximate human GCPII in drug development and testing. On the other hand, significant differences in GCPII tissue expression must be taken into account when developing novel GCPII-based anticancer and therapeutic methods, including targeted anticancer drug delivery systems, and when using mice as a model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Knedlík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vorlová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Václav Navrátil
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jan Tykvart
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic.,Present address: Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - František Sedlák
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic.,Department of Genetics and Microbiology Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Šimon Vaculín
- Department of Normal, Pathological and Clinical Physiology Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Franěk
- Department of Normal, Pathological and Clinical Physiology Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
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Olszewski RT, Janczura KJ, Bzdega T, Der EK, Venzor F, O'Rourke B, Hark TJ, Craddock KE, Balasubramanian S, Moussa C, Neale JH. NAAG Peptidase Inhibitors Act via mGluR3: Animal Models of Memory, Alzheimer's, and Ethanol Intoxication. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:2646-2657. [PMID: 28285415 PMCID: PMC5603630 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inactivates the peptide neurotransmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) following synaptic release. Inhibitors of GCPII increase extracellular NAAG levels and are efficacious in animal models of clinical disorders via NAAG activation of a group II metabotropic glutamate receptor. mGluR2 and mGluR3 knock-out (ko) mice were used to test the hypothesis that mGluR3 mediates the activity of GCPII inhibitors ZJ43 and 2-PMPA in animal models of memory and memory loss. Short- (1.5 h) and long- (24 h) term novel object recognition tests were used to assess memory. Treatment with ZJ43 or 2-PMPA prior to acquisition trials increased long-term memory in mGluR2, but not mGluR3, ko mice. Nine month-old triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease model mice exhibited impaired short-term novel object recognition memory that was rescued by treatment with a NAAG peptidase inhibitor. NAAG peptidase inhibitors and the group II mGluR agonist, LY354740, reversed the short-term memory deficit induced by acute ethanol administration in wild type mice. 2-PMPA also moderated the effect of ethanol on short-term memory in mGluR2 ko mice but failed to do so in mGluR3 ko mice. LY354740 and ZJ43 blocked ethanol-induced motor activation. Both GCPII inhibitors and LY354740 also significantly moderated the loss of motor coordination induced by 2.1 g/kg ethanol treatment. These data support the conclusion that inhibitors of glutamate carboxypeptidase II are efficacious in object recognition models of normal memory and memory deficits via an mGluR3 mediated process, actions that could have widespread clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal T Olszewski
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Karolina J Janczura
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Tomasz Bzdega
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Elise K Der
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Faustino Venzor
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Brennen O'Rourke
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Timothy J Hark
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Kirsten E Craddock
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Shankar Balasubramanian
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA
| | - Charbel Moussa
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 20057, USA
| | - Joseph H Neale
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20057-1225, USA.
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30
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Loss of PAFR prevents neuroinflammation and brain dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40614. [PMID: 28094295 PMCID: PMC5240097 DOI: 10.1038/srep40614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a principal cause of death and disability worldwide, which is a major public health problem. Death caused by TBI accounts for a third of all damage related illnesses, which 75% TBI occurred in low and middle income countries. With the increasing use of motor vehicles, the incidence of TBI has been at a high level. The abnormal brain functions of TBI patients often show the acute and long-term neurological dysfunction, which mainly associated with the pathological process of malignant brain edema and neuroinflammation in the brain. Owing to the neuroinflammation lasts for months or even years after TBI, which is a pivotal causative factor that give rise to neurodegenerative disease at late stage of TBI. Studies have shown that platelet activating factor (PAF) inducing inflammatory reaction after TBI could not be ignored. The morphological and behavioral abnormalities after TBI in wild type mice are rescued by general knockout of PAFR gene that neuroinflammation responses and cognitive ability are improved. Our results thus define a key inflammatory molecule PAF that participates in the neuroinflammation and helps bring about cerebral dysfunction during the TBI acute phase.
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Nonaka T, Yamada T, Ishimura T, Zuo D, Moffett JR, Neale JH, Yamamoto T. A role for the locus coeruleus in the analgesic efficacy of N-acetylaspartylglutamate peptidase (GCPII) inhibitors ZJ43 and 2-PMPA. Mol Pain 2017; 13:1744806917697008. [PMID: 28326936 PMCID: PMC5407666 DOI: 10.1177/1744806917697008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is the third most prevalent and widely distributed neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system. NAAG activates a group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR3) and is inactivated by an extracellular enzyme, glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) in vivo. Inhibitors of this enzyme are analgesic in animal models of inflammatory, neuropathic and bone cancer pain. NAAG and GCPII are present in the locus coeruleus, a center for the descending noradrenergic inhibitory pain system. In the formalin footpad model, systemic treatment with GCPII inhibitors reduces both phases of the inflammatory pain response and increases release of spinal noradrenaline. This analgesic efficacy is blocked by systemic injection of a group II mGluR antagonist, by intrathecal (spinal) injection of an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor antagonist and by microinjection of an α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist directly into the contralateral locus coeruleus. Footpad inflammation increases release of glutamate in the contralateral locus coeruleus and systemic treatment with a GCPII inhibitor blocks this increase. Direct injection of GCPII inhibitors into the contralateral or ipsilateral locus coeruleus reduces both phases of the inflammatory pain response in a dose-dependent manner and the contralateral effect also is blocked by intrathecal injection of an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor antagonist. These data support the hypothesis that the analgesic efficacy of systemically administered GCPII inhibitors is mediated, at least in part, by the contralateral locus coeruleus via group II mGluR, AMPA and alpha 2 adrenergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Nonaka
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Yamada
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Ishimura
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daiying Zuo
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - John R Moffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joseph H Neale
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tatsuo Yamamoto
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Zhang M, Cui Z, Cui H, Cao Y, Zhong C, Wang Y. Astaxanthin alleviates cerebral edema by modulating NKCC1 and AQP4 expression after traumatic brain injury in mice. BMC Neurosci 2016; 17:60. [PMID: 27581370 PMCID: PMC5007682 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0295-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment that possesses potent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. Previous studies have demonstrated that astaxanthin displays potential neuroprotective properties for the treatment of central nervous system diseases, such as ischemic brain injury and subarachnoid hemorrhage. This study explored whether astaxanthin is neuroprotective and ameliorates neurological deficits following traumatic brain injury (TBI). RESULTS Our results showed that, following CCI, treatment with astaxanthin compared to vehicle ameliorated neurologic dysfunctions after day 3 and alleviated cerebral edema and Evans blue extravasation at 24 h (p < 0.05). Astaxanthin treatment decreased AQP4 and NKCC1 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h. AQP4 and NKCC1 protein expressions in the peri-contusional cortex were significantly reduced by astaxanthin at 24 h (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we also found that bumetanide (BU), an inhibitor of NKCC1, inhibited trauma-induced AQP4 upregulation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that astaxanthin reduces TBI-related injury in brain tissue by ameliorating AQP4/NKCC1-mediated cerebral edema and that NKCC1 contributes to the upregulation of AQP4 after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Zhenwen Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266005 China
| | - Hua Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127 China
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Cao Y, Gao Y, Xu S, Bao J, Lin Y, Luo X, Wang Y, Luo Q, Jiang J, Neale JH, Zhong C. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II gene knockout attenuates oxidative stress and cortical apoptosis after traumatic brain injury. BMC Neurosci 2016; 17:15. [PMID: 27091009 PMCID: PMC4836105 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inactivates the peptide co-transmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate following synaptic release. Inhibition of GCPII elevates extracellular levels of the peptide, inhibits glutamate release and is neuroprotective in an animal model of traumatic brain injury. GCPII gene knockout mice were used to examine the cellular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective efficacy of this transmitter system. Results Following controlled cortical impact injury, GCPII knockout (KO) mice exhibited reduced TUNEL-positive nuclei in the contusion margin of the cerebral cortex relative to wild type mice. Impact injury reduced glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased malondialdehyde. Each of these effects was moderated in KO mice relative to wild type. Similarly, the injury-induced increases in cleaved caspase-3, cytosolic cytochrome c levels and Bcl-2/Bax ratio observed in wild type mice were attenuated in the knockout mice. Conclusions These data support the hypothesis that the neuroprotective efficacy of GCPII KO in traumatic brain injury is mediated via a reduction in oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jingang Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Qizhong Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jiyao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Joseph H Neale
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20075, USA
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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Zhang W, Zhang Z, Wu L, Qiu Y, Lin Y. Suppression of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II Ameliorates Neuronal Apoptosis from Ischemic Brain Injury. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2016; 25:1599-1605. [PMID: 27068862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2015.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia stroke is a destructive cerebrovascular disease and a major cause of death and lifelong neurological disability. N-Acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamate (NAAG) is a neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain and involves a variety of physiological and pathological functions including ischemia brain injury. Full understanding of the functions of NAAG peptidase (GCPII) in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury is extremely valuable for effective therapies to ischemia stroke. METHODS The expressions of GCPII and NAAG agonist metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR3) and TGFb1 were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Moreover, GCPII knockdown cells were constructed using lentivirus-mediated transfection. Function and molecular mechanisms of GCPII knockdown on apoptosis induced from hypoxic-ischemic-induced injury in neuronal cells were analyzed. RESULTS In this study, we found that the expressions of GCPII and mGluR3 were upregulated in CoCl2-induced hypoxia environment in neuronal cells. Moreover, knockdown of GCPII in neuronal cells ameliorated apoptosis from hypoxic-ischemic-induced injury through suppressing expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlighted the roles of GCPII in the ischemia brain injury, and might provide an important target in therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yuyao People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Yuyao City, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yuyao People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Yuyao City, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liping Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yuyao People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Yuyao City, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongming Qiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao-tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao-tong University, Shanghai, China
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Still NAAG’ing After All These Years. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH T. COYLE 2016; 76:215-55. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Kim TY, Yoshimoto T, Aoyama Y, Niimi K, Takahashi E. Analysis of the protective effects of a neuronal Cav2.1 calcium channel in brain injury. Neuroscience 2015; 313:110-21. [PMID: 26616403 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that rolling Nagoya mice carrying a mutation in the α1 subunit of the Cav2.1 channel protective from ischemia- and kainate-induced neuronal damage. However, the protective effect of this mutation and its relationship to brain injury recovery have not been examined. To examine the relationship between Cav2.1 channel function and brain injury, we induced cryogenic brain damage in homozygous rolling Nagoya (rol/rol), control wild-type (+/+), ω-agatoxin IVA-pretreated +/+ (ω-aga +/+), and ω-agatoxin IVA-post-treated +/+ (ω-aga-post-treated +/+) mice. We measured the lesion area, blood brain-barrier permeability and performed immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The lesions of rol/rol and ω-aga +/+ mice were significantly smaller than those observed in +/+ mice at both day 1 and day 7 after injury. Similar results were shown in blood-brain barrier permeability. We observed more reactive astrogliosis in +/+ mice than in rol/rol or ω-aga +/+ mice. rol/rol and ω-aga +/+ mice had fewer degenerating cells due to cryogenic injury than did +/+ mice at both day 1 and day 7. ω-Aga-post-treated +/+ mice 24h after injury were sacrificed on day 7. The lesions were smaller in ω-aga-post-treated +/+ mice than those in vehicle-treated +/+ mice. We also examined phosphorylated p38 (pp38) at the injured site. ω-Aga-post-treated +/+ mouse brain slices showed weak pp38 signal; vehicle-treated +/+ mouse brain slices were pp38-positive. These findings demonstrate that the mutant Cav2.1 channel exerts a protective effect against cryogenic brain injury in rolling Nagoya mice. Our results indicate that inhibitors of the Cav2.1-dependent p38 signaling cascade would be useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Y Kim
- Research Resources Center, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - T Yoshimoto
- Research Resources Center, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Y Aoyama
- Research Resources Center, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - K Niimi
- Research Resources Center, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - E Takahashi
- Research Resources Center, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
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Jansen RS, Mahakena S, de Haas M, Borst P, van de Wetering K. ATP-binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 5 (ABCC5) Functions as an Efflux Transporter of Glutamate Conjugates and Analogs. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:30429-40. [PMID: 26515061 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.692103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous efflux transporter ABCC5 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 5) is present at high levels in the blood-brain barrier, neurons, and glia, but its in vivo substrates and function are not known. Using untargeted metabolomic screens, we show that Abcc5(-/-) mice accumulate endogenous glutamate conjugates in several tissues, but brain in particular. The abundant neurotransmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate was 2.4-fold higher in Abcc5(-/-) brain. The metabolites that accumulated in Abcc5(-/-) tissues were depleted in cultured cells that overexpressed human ABCC5. In a vesicular membrane transport assay, ABCC5 also transported exogenous glutamate analogs, like the classic excitotoxic neurotoxins kainic acid, domoic acid, and NMDA; the therapeutic glutamate analog ZJ43; and, as previously shown, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate. Glutamate conjugates and analogs are of physiological relevance because they can affect the function of glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. After CO2 asphyxiation, several immediate early genes were expressed at lower levels in Abcc5(-/-) brains than in wild type brains, suggesting altered glutamate signaling. Our results show that ABCC5 is a general glutamate conjugate and analog transporter that affects the disposition of endogenous metabolites, toxins, and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Jansen
- From the Division of Molecular Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sunny Mahakena
- From the Division of Molecular Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel de Haas
- From the Division of Molecular Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piet Borst
- From the Division of Molecular Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen van de Wetering
- From the Division of Molecular Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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