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Liu C, Guo S, Liu R, Guo M, Wang Q, Chai Z, Xiao B, Ma C. Fasudil-modified macrophages reduce inflammation and regulate the immune response in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:671-679. [PMID: 37721300 PMCID: PMC10581551 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.379050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is characterized by demyelination and neuronal loss caused by inflammatory cell activation and infiltration into the central nervous system. Macrophage polarization plays an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a traditional experimental model of multiple sclerosis. This study investigated the effect of Fasudil on macrophages and examined the therapeutic potential of Fasudil-modified macrophages in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We found that Fasudil induced the conversion of macrophages from the pro-inflammatory M1 type to the anti-inflammatory M2 type, as shown by reduced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide, interleukin-12, and CD16/32 and increased expression of arginase-1, interleukin-10, CD14, and CD206, which was linked to inhibition of Rho kinase activity, decreased expression of toll-like receptors, nuclear factor-κB, and components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and generation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. Crucially, Fasudil-modified macrophages effectively decreased the impact of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, resulting in later onset of disease, lower symptom scores, less weight loss, and reduced demyelination compared with unmodified macrophages. In addition, Fasudil-modified macrophages decreased interleukin-17 expression on CD4+ T cells and CD16/32, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and interleukin-12 expression on F4/80+ macrophages, as well as increasing interleukin-10 expression on CD4+ T cells and arginase-1, CD206, and interleukin-10 expression on F4/80+ macrophages, which improved immune regulation and reduced inflammation. These findings suggest that Fasudil-modified macrophages may help treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by inducing M2 macrophage polarization and inhibiting the inflammatory response, thereby providing new insight into cell immunotherapy for multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyun Liu
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Shangde Guo
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Rong Liu
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Minfang Guo
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Qing Wang
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhi Chai
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Baoguo Xiao
- Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cungen Ma
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
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Chu GG, Wang J, Ding ZB, Yin JZ, Song LJ, Wang Q, Huang JJ, Xiao BG, Ma CG. Hydroxyfasudil regulates immune balance and suppresses inflammatory responses in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110791. [PMID: 37619413 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110791] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease with complicated etiology. Multifocal demyelination and invasion of inflammatory cells are its primary pathological features. Fasudil has been confirmed to improve experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. However, Fasudil is accompanied by several shortcomings in the clinical practice. Hydroxyfasudil is a metabolite of Fasudil in the body with better pharmaceutical properties. Therefore, we attempted to study the influence of Hydroxyfasudil upon EAE mice. The results demonstrated that Hydroxyfasudil relieved the symptoms of EAE and the associated pathological damage, reduced the adhesion molecules and chemokines, decreased the invasion of peripheral immune cells. Simultaneously, Hydroxyfasudil modified the rebalance of peripheral T cells. Moreover, Hydroxyfasudil shifted the M1 phenotype to M2 polarization, inhibited inflammatory signaling cascades as well as inflammatory factors, and promoted anti-inflammatory factors in the CNS. In the end, mice in the Hydroxyfasudil group expressed more tight junction proteins, indirectly indicating that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was protected. Our results indicate that Hydroxyfasudil may be a prospective treatment for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Guo Chu
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Dept. of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Ding
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China; Dept. of Neurology, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Jin-Zhu Yin
- Dept. of Neurosurgery/The Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disease of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission, Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital, Datong 037003, China
| | - Li-Juan Song
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China; Dept. of Neurosurgery/The Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disease of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission, Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital, Datong 037003, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Dept. of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Jian-Jun Huang
- Dept. of Neurosurgery/The Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disease of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission, Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital, Datong 037003, China
| | - Bao-Guo Xiao
- Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Cun-Gen Ma
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China.
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A focus on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway: An emerging therapeutic target in depression. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 946:175648. [PMID: 36894049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Depression is the most common mental health disorder worldwide; however, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of this major depressive disorder are unclear so far. Experimental studies have demonstrated that depression is associated with significant cognitive impairment, dendrite spine loss, and reduction in connectivity among neurons that contribute to symptoms associated with mood disorders. Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) receptors are exclusively expressed in the brain and Rho/ROCK signaling has gained considerable attention as it plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal architecture and structural plasticity. Chronic stress-induced activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway promotes neuronal apoptosis and loss of neural processes and synapses. Interestingly, accumulated evidence has identified Rho/ROCK signaling pathways as a putative target for treating neurological disorders. Furthermore, inhibition of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway has proven to be effective in different models of depression, which signify the potential benefits of clinical Rho/ROCK inhibition. The ROCK inhibitors extensively modulate antidepressant-related pathways which significantly control the synthesis of proteins, and neuron survival and ultimately led to the enhancement of synaptogenesis, connectivity, and improvement in behavior. Therefore, the present review refines the prevailing contribution of this signaling pathway in depression and highlighted preclinical shreds of evidence for employing ROCK inhibitors as disease-modifying targets along with possible underlying mechanisms in stress-associated depression.
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Liu H, Pan Z, Ma X, Cui J, Gao J, Miao Q, Zhu Z, Chen X, Su S. ROCK inhibitor fasudil reduces the expression of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells via ROS/NF-κB pathway. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 23:24. [PMID: 35428330 PMCID: PMC9013060 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-022-00565-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammation plays a major role in the pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and the acute lung injury (ALI) diseases. The common feature of these complications is the dysfunction of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Fasudil, the only Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor used in clinic, has been proved to be the most promising new drug for the treatment of PAH, with some anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of fasudil on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory injury in rat PMVECs was investigated. Methods LPS was used to make inflammatory injury model of rat PMVECs. Thereafter, the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory factors was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by the confocal laser scanning system. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by using commercial kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65. Results Fasudil effectively prevented inflammatory injury induced by LPS, which is manifested by the decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chenotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Meanwhile, fasudil dramatically reduced the levels of ROS and MDA, and also elevated the activities of SOD and GSH-Px. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 induced by LPS was also suppressed by fasudil. Additionally, the ROS scavengers N-Acetylcysteine (N-Ace) was also found to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and MCP-1 induced by LPS, which suggested that ROS was essential for the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Conclusions The present study revealed that fasudil reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, alleviated the inflammatory and oxidative damage induced by LPS in rat PMVECs via ROS-NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Wang J, Sui RX, Miao Q, Wang Q, Song LJ, Yu JZ, Li YH, Xiao BG, Ma CG. Effect of Fasudil on remyelination following cuprizone-induced demyelination. CNS Neurosci Ther 2019; 26:76-89. [PMID: 31124292 PMCID: PMC6930827 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis is characterized by demyelination/remyelination, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Cuprizone (CPZ)‐induced toxic demyelination is an experimental animal model commonly used to study demyelination and remyelination in the central nervous system. Fasudil is one of the most thoroughly studied Rho kinase inhibitors. Methods Following CPZ exposure, the degree of demyelination in the brain of male C57BL/6 mice was assessed by Luxol fast blue, Black Gold II, myelin basic protein immunofluorescent staining, and Western blot. The effect of Fasudil on behavioral change was determined using elevated plus maze test and pole test. The possible mechanisms of Fasudil action were examined by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, ELISA, and dot blot. Results Fasudil improved behavioral abnormalities, inhibited microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation, and promoted astrocyte‐derived nerve growth factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor, which should contribute to protection and regeneration of oligodendrocytes. In addition, Fasudil inhibited the production of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody and the infiltration of peripheral CD4+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages, which appears to be related to the integrity of the blood‐brain barrier. Conclusion These results provide evidence for the therapeutic potential of Fasudil in CPZ‐induced demyelination. However, how Fasudil acts on microglia, astrocytes, and immune cells remains to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruo-Xuan Sui
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qiang Miao
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qing Wang
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Li-Juan Song
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jie-Zhong Yu
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Yan-Hua Li
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Bao-Guo Xiao
- Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cun-Gen Ma
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China.,Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
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Yan Y, Yu J, Gao Y, Kumar G, Guo M, Zhao Y, Fang Q, Zhang H, Yu J, Jiang Y, Zhang HT, Ma CG. Therapeutic potentials of the Rho kinase inhibitor Fasudil in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and the related mechanisms. Metab Brain Dis 2019; 34:377-384. [PMID: 30552558 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0355-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and other neurodegenerative diseases of central nervous system (CNS) disorders are serious human health problems. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is emerging as a potentially important therapeutic target relevant to inflammatory neurodegeneration diseases. This is supported by studies showing the beneficial effects of fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, in inflammatory neurodegeneration diseases. MS is an autoimmune disease resulting from inflammation and demyelination in the white matter of the CNS. It has been postulated that activation of Rho/ROCK causes neuropathological changes accompanied with related clinical symptoms, which are improved by treatment with ROCK inhibitors. Therefore, inhibition of abnormal activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway appears to be a new mechanism for treating CNS diseases. In this review, we extensively discussed the role of ROCK inhibitors, summarized the efficacy of fasudil in the MS conventional animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), both in vivo and in vitro, and highlighted the mechanism involved. Overall, the findings collected in this review support the role of the ROCK signaling pathway in neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, ROCK inhibitors such as fasudil can be novel, and efficacious treatment for inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yan
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Jiezhong Yu
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Gao
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Gajendra Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong
| | - Minfang Guo
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Yijin Zhao
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Qingli Fang
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Huiyu Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Jingwen Yu
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Yuqiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Han-Ting Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China.
- Departments of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, Physiology & Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| | - Cun-Gen Ma
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China.
- "2011" Collaborative Innovation Center/Research Center of Neurobiology, Taiyuan, China.
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Shapiro LP, Kietzman HW, Guo J, Rainnie DG, Gourley SL. Rho-kinase inhibition has antidepressant-like efficacy and expedites dendritic spine pruning in adolescent mice. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 124:520-530. [PMID: 30593834 PMCID: PMC6365018 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence represents a critical period of neurodevelopment, defined by structural and synaptic pruning within the prefrontal cortex. While characteristic of typical development, this structural instability may open a window of vulnerability to developing neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. Thus, therapeutic interventions that support or expedite neural remodeling in adolescence may be advantageous. Here, we inhibited the neuronally-expressed cytoskeletal regulatory factor Rho-kinase (ROCK), focusing primarily on the clinically-viable ROCK inhibitor fasudil. ROCK inhibition had rapid antidepressant-like effects in adolescent mice, and its efficacy was comparable to ketamine and fluoxetine. It also modified levels of the antidepressant-related signaling factors, tropomyosin/tyrosine receptor kinase B and Akt, as well as the postsynaptic marker PSD-95, in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Meanwhile, adolescent-typical dendritic spine pruning on excitatory pyramidal neurons in the vmPFC was expedited. Further, vmPFC-specific shRNA-mediated reduction of ROCK2, the dominant ROCK isoform in the brain, had antidepressant-like consequences. We cautiously suggest that ROCK inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for adolescent-onset depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren P Shapiro
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Henry W Kietzman
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jidong Guo
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Donald G Rainnie
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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Li H, Zhou X, Ye H, Sun X, Zhang P. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluations of Several Fasudil Analogues. J Heterocycl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jhet.3403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Li
- College of Food Science and BioengineeringTianjin Agricultural University Tianjin 300072 People's Republic of China
| | - Xueyong Zhou
- College of Food Science and BioengineeringTianjin Agricultural University Tianjin 300072 People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Ye
- R&D of Danfoss (Tianjin) Ltd. Tianjin 301700 People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Sun
- College of Food Science and BioengineeringTianjin Agricultural University Tianjin 300072 People's Republic of China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- College of Food Science and BioengineeringTianjin Agricultural University Tianjin 300072 People's Republic of China
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Amyloid β synaptotoxicity is Wnt-PCP dependent and blocked by fasudil. Alzheimers Dement 2017; 14:306-317. [PMID: 29055813 PMCID: PMC5869054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Synapse loss is the structural correlate of the cognitive decline indicative of dementia. In the brains of Alzheimer's disease sufferers, amyloid β (Aβ) peptides aggregate to form senile plaques but as soluble peptides are toxic to synapses. We previously demonstrated that Aβ induces Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), which in turn activates the Wnt–planar cell polarity (Wnt-PCP) pathway to drive tau pathology and neuronal death. Methods We compared the effects of Aβ and of Dkk1 on synapse morphology and memory impairment while inhibiting or silencing key elements of the Wnt-PCP pathway. Results We demonstrate that Aβ synaptotoxicity is also Dkk1 and Wnt-PCP dependent, mediated by the arm of Wnt-PCP regulating actin cytoskeletal dynamics via Daam1, RhoA and ROCK, and can be blocked by the drug fasudil. Discussion Our data add to the importance of aberrant Wnt signaling in Alzheimer's disease neuropathology and indicate that fasudil could be repurposed as a treatment for the disease. Aβ synaptotoxicity is Dickkopf-1 and Wnt-PCP dependent. The Wnt-PCP pathway drives Aβ-driven synapse loss via RhoA and ROCK. ROCK inhibitor fasudil blocks Aβ-driven synapse loss and cognitive impairment. Fasudil should be assessed for repurposing for Alzheimer's disease.
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