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Yang X, Huang YWA, Marshall J. Targeting TrkB-PSD-95 coupling to mitigate neurological disorders. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:715-724. [PMID: 38886937 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-02000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling plays a pivotal role in dendritic growth and dendritic spine formation to promote learning and memory. The activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor at synapses binds to pre- or postsynaptic TrkB resulting in the strengthening of synapses, reflected by long-term potentiation. Postsynaptically, the association of postsynaptic density protein-95 with TrkB enhances phospholipase Cγ-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling required for long-term potentiation. In this review, we discuss TrkB-postsynaptic density protein-95 coupling as a promising strategy to magnify brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling towards the development of novel therapeutics for specific neurological disorders. A reduction of TrkB signaling has been observed in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease, and enhancement of postsynaptic density protein-95 association with TrkB signaling could mitigate the observed deficiency of neuronal connectivity in schizophrenia and depression. Treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor is problematic, due to poor pharmacokinetics, low brain penetration, and side effects resulting from activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor or the truncated TrkB.T1 isoform. Although TrkB agonists and antibodies that activate TrkB are being intensively investigated, they cannot distinguish the multiple human TrkB splicing isoforms or cell type-specific functions. Targeting TrkB-postsynaptic density protein-95 coupling provides an alternative approach to specifically boost TrkB signaling at localized synaptic sites versus global stimulation that risks many adverse side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Alvin Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science and Brown Institute for Translational Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - John Marshall
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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2
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Brenner M, Zink C, Witzinger L, Keller A, Hadamek K, Bothe S, Neuenschwander M, Villmann C, von Kries JP, Schindelin H, Jeanclos E, Gohla A. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone is a direct inhibitor of human and murine pyridoxal phosphatase. eLife 2024; 13:RP93094. [PMID: 38856179 PMCID: PMC11164532 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93094] [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] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin B6 deficiency has been linked to cognitive impairment in human brain disorders for decades. Still, the molecular mechanisms linking vitamin B6 to these pathologies remain poorly understood, and whether vitamin B6 supplementation improves cognition is unclear as well. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate phosphatase (PDXP), an enzyme that controls levels of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the co-enzymatically active form of vitamin B6, may represent an alternative therapeutic entry point into vitamin B6-associated pathologies. However, pharmacological PDXP inhibitors to test this concept are lacking. We now identify a PDXP and age-dependent decline of PLP levels in the murine hippocampus that provides a rationale for the development of PDXP inhibitors. Using a combination of small-molecule screening, protein crystallography, and biolayer interferometry, we discover, visualize, and analyze 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) as a direct and potent PDXP inhibitor. 7,8-DHF binds and reversibly inhibits PDXP with low micromolar affinity and sub-micromolar potency. In mouse hippocampal neurons, 7,8-DHF increases PLP in a PDXP-dependent manner. These findings validate PDXP as a druggable target. Of note, 7,8-DHF is a well-studied molecule in brain disorder models, although its mechanism of action is actively debated. Our discovery of 7,8-DHF as a PDXP inhibitor offers novel mechanistic insights into the controversy surrounding 7,8-DHF-mediated effects in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Brenner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Christoph Zink
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Linda Witzinger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Angelika Keller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Kerstin Hadamek
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Sebastian Bothe
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | | | - Carmen Villmann
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | | | - Hermann Schindelin
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Elisabeth Jeanclos
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Antje Gohla
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
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3
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Enkavi G, Girych M, Moliner R, Vattulainen I, Castrén E. TrkB transmembrane domain: bridging structural understanding with therapeutic strategy. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:445-456. [PMID: 38433044 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
TrkB (neuronal receptor tyrosine kinase-2, NTRK2) is the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and is a critical regulator of activity-dependent neuronal plasticity. The past few years have witnessed an increasing understanding of the structure and function of TrkB, including its transmembrane domain (TMD). TrkB interacts with membrane cholesterol, which bidirectionally regulates TrkB signaling. Additionally, TrkB has recently been recognized as a binding target of antidepressant drugs. A variety of different antidepressants, including typical and rapid-acting antidepressants, as well as psychedelic compounds, act as allosteric potentiators of BDNF signaling through TrkB. This suggests that TrkB is the common target of different antidepressant compounds. Although more research is needed, current knowledge suggests that TrkB is a promising target for further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giray Enkavi
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mykhailo Girych
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rafael Moliner
- Neuroscience Center/HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center/HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Shi X, Zhou XZ, Chen G, Luo WF, Zhou C, He TJ, Naik MT, Jiang Q, Marshall J, Cao C. Targeting the postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD-95 enhances BDNF signaling to mitigate depression-like behaviors in mice. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadn4556. [PMID: 38687826 PMCID: PMC11223518 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adn4556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Signaling mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is supported by the postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD-95, has antidepressant effects. Conversely, clinical depression is associated with reduced BDNF signaling. We found that peptidomimetic compounds that bind to PSD-95 promoted signaling by the BDNF receptor TrkB in the hippocampus and reduced depression-like behaviors in mice. The compounds CN2097 and Syn3 both bind to the PDZ3 domain of PSD-95, and Syn3 also binds to an α-helical region of the protein. Syn3 reduced depression-like behaviors in two mouse models of stress-induced depression; CN2097 had similar but less potent effects. In hippocampal neurons, application of Syn3 enhanced the formation of TrkB-Gαi1/3-PSD-95 complexes and potentiated downstream PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling. In mice subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS), systemic administration of Syn3 reversed the CMS-induced, depression-associated changes in PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling, dendrite complexity, spine density, and autophagy in the hippocampus and reduced depression-like behaviors. Knocking out Gαi1/3 in hippocampal neurons prevented the therapeutic effects of Syn3, indicating dependence of these effects on the TrkB pathway. The findings suggest that compounds that induce the formation of PSD-95-TrkB complexes have therapeutic potential to alleviate depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Shi
- Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institution of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiao-zhong Zhou
- Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institution of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-feng Luo
- Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institution of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Chengyu Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Tian-ju He
- Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institution of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Mandar T. Naik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Qin Jiang
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - John Marshall
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Cong Cao
- Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institution of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Antonijevic M, Sopkova-de Oliveira Santos J, Dallemagne P, Rochais C. Discovery of a pocket network on the domain 5 of the TrkB receptor - A potential new target in the quest for the new ligands. Mol Inform 2024:e202400043. [PMID: 38619318 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202400043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The important role that the neurotrophin tyrosine kinase receptor - TrkB has in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative conditions such are Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, has been well described. This shouldn't be a surprise, since in the physiological conditions, once activated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5), the TrkB receptor promotes neuronal survival, differentiation and synaptic function. Considering that the natural ligands for TrkB receptor are large proteins, it is a challenge to discover small molecule capable to mimic their effects. Even though, the surface of receptor that is interacting with BDNF or NT-4/5 is known, there was always a question which pocket and interaction is responsible for activation of it. In order to answer this challenging question, we have used molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and Pocketron algorithm which enabled us to detect, for the first time, a pocket network existing in the interacting domain (d5) of the receptor; to describe them and to see how they are communicating with each other. This new discovery gave us potential new areas on receptor that can be targeted and used for structure-based drug design approach in the development of the new ligands.
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Chanana V, Zafer D, Kintner DB, Chandrashekhar JH, Eickhoff J, Ferrazzano PA, Levine JE, Cengiz P. TrkB-mediated neuroprotection in female hippocampal neurons is autonomous, estrogen receptor alpha-dependent, and eliminated by testosterone: a proposed model for sex differences in neonatal hippocampal neuronal injury. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:30. [PMID: 38566248 PMCID: PMC10988865 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal hypoxia ischemia (HI) related brain injury is one of the major causes of learning disabilities and memory deficits in children. In both human and animal studies, female neonate brains are less susceptible to HI than male brains. Phosphorylation of the nerve growth factor receptor TrkB has been shown to provide sex-specific neuroprotection following in vivo HI in female mice in an estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-dependent manner. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms conferring sex-specific neonatal neuroprotection remain incompletely understood. Here, we test whether female neonatal hippocampal neurons express autonomous neuroprotective properties and assess the ability of testosterone (T) to alter this phenotype. METHODS We cultured sexed hippocampal neurons from ERα+/+ and ERα-/- mice and subjected them to 4 h oxygen glucose deprivation and 24 h reoxygenation (4-OGD/24-REOX). Sexed hippocampal neurons were treated either with vehicle control (VC) or the TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) following in vitro ischemia. End points at 24 h REOX were TrkB phosphorylation (p-TrkB) and neuronal survival assessed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, in vitro ischemia-mediated ERα gene expression in hippocampal neurons were investigated following testosterone (T) pre-treatment and TrkB antagonist therapy via q-RTPCR. Multifactorial analysis of variance was conducted to test for significant differences between experimental conditions. RESULTS Under normoxic conditions, administration of 3 µM 7,8-DHF resulted an ERα-dependent increase in p-TrkB immunoexpression that was higher in female, as compared to male neurons. Following 4-OGD/24-REOX, p-TrkB expression increased 20% in both male and female ERα+/+ neurons. However, with 3 µM 7,8-DHF treatment p-TrkB expression increased further in female neurons by 2.81 ± 0.79-fold and was ERα dependent. 4-OGD/24-REOX resulted in a 56% increase in cell death, but only female cells were rescued with 3 µM 7,8-DHF, again in an ERα dependent manner. Following 4-OGD/3-REOX, ERα mRNA increased ~ 3 fold in female neurons. This increase was blocked with either the TrkB antagonist ANA-12 or pre-treatment with T. Pre-treatment with T also blocked the 7,8-DHF- dependent sex-specific neuronal survival in female neurons following 4-OGD/24-REOX. CONCLUSIONS OGD/REOX results in sex-dependent TrkB phosphorylation in female neurons that increases further with 7,8-DHF treatment. TrkB phosphorylation by 7,8-DHF increased ERα mRNA expression and promoted cell survival preferentially in female hippocampal neurons. The sex-dependent neuroprotective actions of 7,8-DHF were blocked by either ANA-12 or by T pre-treatment. These results are consistent with a model for a female-specific neuroprotective pathway in hippocampal neurons in response to hypoxia. The pathway is activated by 7,8-DHF, mediated by TrkB phosphorylation, dependent on ERα and blocked by pre-exposure to T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Chanana
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Dila Zafer
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Douglas B Kintner
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Jayadevi H Chandrashekhar
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jens Eickhoff
- Department of Statistics and Bioinformatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Peter A Ferrazzano
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Jon E Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Pelin Cengiz
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA.
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Antonijevic M, Charou D, Davis A, Curel T, Valcarcel M, Ramos I, Villacé P, Claeysen S, Dallemagne P, Gravanis A, Charalampopoulos I, Rochais C. Development of Pleiotropic TrkB and 5-HT 4 Receptor Ligands as Neuroprotective Agents. Molecules 2024; 29:515. [PMID: 38276593 PMCID: PMC10819171 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
One common event that is the most detrimental in neurodegenerative disorders, even though they have a complex pathogenesis, is the increased rate of neuronal death. Endogenous neurotrophins consist of the major neuroprotective factors, while brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB are described in a number of studies for their important neuronal effects. Normal function of this receptor is crucial for neuronal survival, differentiation, and synaptic function. However, studies have shown that besides direct activation, the TrkB receptor can be transactivated via GPCRs. It has been proven that activation of the 5-HT4 receptor and transactivation of the TrkB receptor have a positive influence on neuronal differentiation (total dendritic length, number of primary dendrites, and branching index). Because of that and based on the main structural characteristics of LM22A-4, a known activator of the TrkB receptor, and RS67333, a partial 5-HT4 receptor agonist, we have designed and synthesized a small data set of novel compounds with potential dual activities in order to not only prevent neuronal death, but also to induce neuronal differentiation in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Antonijevic
- Normandie University, Unicaen, Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), 14000 Caen, France; (M.A.); (A.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Despoina Charou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (D.C.); (A.G.); (I.C.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research & Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Audrey Davis
- Normandie University, Unicaen, Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), 14000 Caen, France; (M.A.); (A.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Thomas Curel
- IGF, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France; (T.C.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Isbaal Ramos
- Innoprot S.L, 48160 Derio, Spain; (M.V.); (I.R.); (P.V.)
| | | | - Sylvie Claeysen
- IGF, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France; (T.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Patrick Dallemagne
- Normandie University, Unicaen, Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), 14000 Caen, France; (M.A.); (A.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (D.C.); (A.G.); (I.C.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research & Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (D.C.); (A.G.); (I.C.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research & Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christophe Rochais
- Normandie University, Unicaen, Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), 14000 Caen, France; (M.A.); (A.D.); (P.D.)
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Thompson T, Pewklang T, Piyanuch P, Wanichacheva N, Kamkaew A, Burgess K. A fluorescent electrophile for CLIPS: self indicating TrkB binders. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:506-512. [PMID: 38111346 PMCID: PMC10863675 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01654d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Combination of cysteine-containing peptides with electrophiles provides efficient access to cyclo-organopeptides. However, there are no routes to intrinsically fluorescent cyclo-organopeptides containing robust, brilliant fluorophores emitting at wavelengths longer than cellular autofluorescence. We show such fluorescent cyclo-organopeptides can be made via SNAr reactions of cysteine-containing peptides with a BODIPY system. Seven compounds of this type were prepared to test as probes; six contained peptide sequences corresponding to loop regions in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophic factor 4 (BDNF and NT-4) which bind tropomyocin receptor kinase B (TrkB). Cellular assays in serum-free media indicated two of the six key compounds induced survival of HEK293 cells stably transfected with TrkB whereas a control did not. The two compounds inducing cell survival bound TrkB on those cells (Kd ∼40 and 47 nM), illustrating how intrinsically fluorescent cyclo-organopeptides can be assayed for quantifiable binding to surface receptors in cell membrane environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tye Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A & M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX 77842-3012, USA.
| | - Thitima Pewklang
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A & M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX 77842-3012, USA.
- School of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
| | - Pornthip Piyanuch
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Nantanit Wanichacheva
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Anyanee Kamkaew
- School of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
| | - Kevin Burgess
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A & M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX 77842-3012, USA.
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9
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Wang Y, Liang J, Xu B, Yang J, Wu Z, Cheng L. TrkB/BDNF signaling pathway and its small molecular agonists in CNS injury. Life Sci 2024; 336:122282. [PMID: 38008209 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122282] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
As one of the most prevalent neurotrophic factors in the central nervous system (CNS), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a significant role in CNS injury by binding to its specific receptor Tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB). The BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway is crucial for neuronal survival, structural changes, and plasticity. BDNF acts as an axonal growth and extension factor, a pro-survival factor, and a synaptic modulator in the CNS. BDNF also plays an important role in the maintenance and plasticity of neuronal circuits. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of BDNF in the treatment and recovery of neurodegenerative and neurotraumatic disorders. By undertaking in-depth study on the mechanism of BDNF/TrkB function, important novel therapeutic strategies for treating neuropsychiatric disorders have been discovered. In this review, we discuss the expression patterns and mechanisms of the TrkB/BDNF signaling pathway in CNS damage and introduce several intriguing small molecule TrkB receptor agonists produced over the previous several decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Wang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200072, China; Medical School, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200072, China; School of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Boyu Xu
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200072, China; Medical School, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jin Yang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200072, China; Medical School, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhourui Wu
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200072, China.
| | - Liming Cheng
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China; Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200072, China.
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10
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Dejanovic B, Sheng M, Hanson JE. Targeting synapse function and loss for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:23-42. [PMID: 38012296 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Synapse dysfunction and loss are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases that correlate with cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse synaptic damage remain elusive. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that impair synapses in neurodegenerative diseases, including the effects of protein aggregation and neuroinflammation. We also highlight emerging therapeutic approaches that aim to restore synaptic function and integrity, such as enhancing synaptic plasticity, preventing synaptotoxicity, modulating neuronal network activity and targeting immune signalling. We discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence for each strategy, as well as the challenges and opportunities for developing effective synapse-targeting therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jesse E Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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11
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Zagrebelsky M, Korte M. Are TrkB receptor agonists the right tool to fulfill the promises for a therapeutic value of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor? Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:29-34. [PMID: 37488840 PMCID: PMC10479861 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.374138] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling via its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B regulates several crucial physiological processes. It has been shown to act in the brain, promoting neuronal survival, growth, and plasticity as well as in the rest of the body where it is involved in regulating for instance aspects of the metabolism. Due to its crucial and very pleiotropic activity, reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and alterations in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling have been found to be associated with a wide spectrum of neurological diseases. However, because of its poor bioavailability and pharmacological properties, brain-derived neurotrophic factor itself has a very low therapeutic value. Moreover, the concomitant binding of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor to the p75 neurotrophin receptor has the potential to elicit several unwanted and deleterious side effects. Therefore, developing tools and approaches to specifically promote tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling has become an important goal of translational research. Among the newly developed tools are different categories of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonist molecules. In this review, we give a comprehensive description of the different tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonist drugs developed so far and of the results of their application in animal models of several neurological diseases. Moreover, we discuss the main benefits of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonists, concentrating especially on the new tropomyosin receptor kinase B agonist antibodies. The benefits observed both in vitro and in vivo upon application of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonist drugs seem to predominantly depend on their general neuroprotective activity and their ability to promote neuronal plasticity. Moreover, tropomyosin receptor kinase B agonist antibodies have been shown to specifically bind the tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor and not p75 neurotrophin receptor. Therefore, while, based on the current knowledge, the tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonists do not seem to have the potential to reverse the disease pathology per se, promoting brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling still has a very high therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Zagrebelsky
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Korte
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, AG NIND, Braunschweig, Germany
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12
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Kim J, He MJ, Widmann AK, Lee FS. The role of neurotrophic factors in novel, rapid psychiatric treatments. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:227-245. [PMID: 37673965 PMCID: PMC10700398 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01717-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors are a family of growth factors that modulate cellular growth, survival, and differentiation. For many decades, it has been generally believed that a lack of neurotrophic support led to the decreased neuronal synaptic plasticity, death, and loss of non-neuronal supportive cells seen in neuropsychiatric disorders. Traditional psychiatric medications that lead to immediate increases in neurotransmitter levels at the synapse have been shown also to elevate synaptic neurotrophic levels over weeks, correlating with the time course of the therapeutic effects of these drugs. Recent advances in psychiatric treatments, such as ketamine and psychedelics, have shown a much faster onset of therapeutic effects (within minutes to hours). They have also been shown to lead to a rapid release of neurotrophins into the synapse. This has spurred a significant shift in understanding the role of neurotrophins and how the receptor tyrosine kinases that bind neurotrophins may work in concert with other signaling systems. In this review, this renewed understanding of synaptic receptor signaling interactions and the clinical implications of this mechanistic insight will be discussed within the larger context of the well-established roles of neurotrophic factors in psychiatric disorders and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Michelle J He
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Alina K Widmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Francis S Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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13
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Javed S, Chang YT, Cho Y, Lee YJ, Chang HC, Haque M, Lin YC, Huang WH. Smith-Magenis syndrome protein RAI1 regulates body weight homeostasis through hypothalamic BDNF-producing neurons and neurotrophin downstream signalling. eLife 2023; 12:RP90333. [PMID: 37956053 PMCID: PMC10642964 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90333] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid-induced 1 (RAI1) haploinsufficiency causes Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), a genetic disorder with symptoms including hyperphagia, hyperlipidemia, severe obesity, and autism phenotypes. RAI1 is a transcriptional regulator with a pan-neural expression pattern and hundreds of downstream targets. The mechanisms linking neural Rai1 to body weight regulation remain unclear. Here we find that hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream signalling are disrupted in SMS (Rai1+/-) mice. Selective Rai1 loss from all BDNF-producing cells or from BDNF-producing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) induced obesity in mice. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that Rai1 ablation decreased the intrinsic excitability of PVHBDNF neurons. Chronic treatment of SMS mice with LM22A-4 engages neurotrophin downstream signalling and delayed obesity onset. This treatment also partially rescued disrupted lipid profiles, insulin intolerance, and stereotypical repetitive behaviour in SMS mice. These data argue that RAI1 regulates body weight and metabolic function through hypothalamic BDNF-producing neurons and that targeting neurotrophin downstream signalling might improve associated SMS phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehrish Javed
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Ya-Ting Chang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Yoobin Cho
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Yu-Ju Lee
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Hao-Cheng Chang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Minza Haque
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Yu Cheng Lin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontréalCanada
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14
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Alitalo O, González-Hernández G, Rosenholm M, Kohtala P, Matsui N, Müller HK, Theilmann W, Klein A, Kärkkäinen O, Rozov S, Rantamäki T, Kohtala S. Linking Hypothermia and Altered Metabolism with TrkB Activation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3212-3225. [PMID: 37551888 PMCID: PMC10485900 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00350] [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: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain acute antidepressant drug-induced activation of TrkB neurotrophin receptors, but several questions remain. In a series of pharmacological experiments, we observed that TrkB activation induced by antidepressants and several other drugs correlated with sedation, and most importantly, coinciding hypothermia. Untargeted metabolomics of pharmacologically dissimilar TrkB activating treatments revealed effects on shared bioenergetic targets involved in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breakdown and synthesis, demonstrating a common perturbation in metabolic activity. Both activation of TrkB signaling and hypothermia were recapitulated by administration of inhibitors of glucose and lipid metabolism, supporting a close relationship between metabolic inhibition and neurotrophic signaling. Drug-induced TrkB phosphorylation was independent of electroencephalography slow-wave activity and remained unaltered in knock-in mice with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met allele, which have impaired activity-dependent BDNF release, alluding to an activation mechanism independent from BDNF and neuronal activity. Instead, we demonstrated that the active maintenance of body temperature prevents activation of TrkB and other targets associated with antidepressants, including p70S6 kinase downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Increased TrkB, GSK3β, and p70S6K phosphorylation was also observed during recovery sleep following sleep deprivation, when a physiological temperature drop is known to occur. Our results suggest that the changes in bioenergetics and thermoregulation are causally connected to TrkB activation and may act as physiological regulators of signaling processes involved in neuronal plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okko Alitalo
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Gemma González-Hernández
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Marko Rosenholm
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Center
for Translational Neuromedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Piia Kohtala
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Department
of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Nobuaki Matsui
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical
Science, 4-3-3 Nijigaoka,
Kani, Gifu 509-0293, Japan
| | - Heidi Kaastrup Müller
- Translational
Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark
| | - Wiebke Theilmann
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Anders Klein
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
- Department
of Drug Design & Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Olli Kärkkäinen
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70210, Finland
- Afekta
Technologies Ltd., Kuopio 70210, Finland
| | - Stanislav Rozov
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Tomi Rantamäki
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Samuel Kohtala
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Department
of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
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15
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Ateaque S, Merkouris S, Barde YA. Neurotrophin signalling in the human nervous system. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1225373. [PMID: 37470055 PMCID: PMC10352796 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1225373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on neurotrophins and their tyrosine kinase receptors, with an emphasis on their relevance to the function and dysfunction in the human nervous system. It also deals with measurements of BDNF levels and highlights recent findings from our laboratory on TrkB and TrkC signalling in human neurons. These include ligand selectivity and Trk activation by neurotrophins and non-neurotrophin ligands. The ligand-induced down-regulation and re-activation of Trk receptors is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ateaque
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Spyros Merkouris
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Yves-Alain Barde
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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16
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Atkinson E, Dickman R. Growth factors and their peptide mimetics for treatment of traumatic brain injury. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 90:117368. [PMID: 37331175 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in adults, caused by a physical insult damaging the brain. Growth factor-based therapies have the potential to reduce the effects of secondary injury and improve outcomes by providing neuroprotection against glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative damage, hypoxia, and ischemia, as well as promoting neurite outgrowth and the formation of new blood vessels. Despite promising evidence in preclinical studies, few neurotrophic factors have been tested in clinical trials for TBI. Translation to the clinic is not trivial and is limited by the short in vivo half-life of the protein, the inability to cross the blood-brain barrier and human delivery systems. Synthetic peptide mimetics have the potential to be used in place of recombinant growth factors, activating the same downstream signalling pathways, with a decrease in size and more favourable pharmacokinetic properties. In this review, we will discuss growth factors with the potential to modulate damage caused by secondary injury mechanisms following a traumatic brain injury that have been trialled in other indications including spinal cord injury, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Peptide mimetics of nerve growth factor (NGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) will be highlighted, most of which have not yet been tested in preclinical or clinical models of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Atkinson
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
| | - Rachael Dickman
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
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17
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Antonijevic M, Rochais C, Dallemagne P. C3-Symmetric Ligands in Drug Design: When the Target Controls the Aesthetics of the Drug. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020679. [PMID: 36677739 PMCID: PMC9862528 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of proteins are able to adopt a homotrimeric spatial conformation. Among these structures, this feature appears as crucial for biologic targets, since it facilitates the design of C3-symmetric ligands that are especially suitable for displaying optimized ligand-target interactions and therapeutic benefits. Additionally, DNA as a therapeutic target, even if its conformation into a superhelix does not correspond to a C3-symmetry, can also take advantage of these C3-symmetric ligands for better interactions and therapeutic effects. For the moment, this opportunity appears to be under-exploited, but should become more frequent with the discovery of new homotrimeric targets such as the SARS-CoV2 spike protein. Besides their potential therapeutic interest, the synthetic access to these C3-symmetric ligands often leads to chemical challenges, although drug candidates with an aesthetic structure are generally obtained.
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18
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Beresewicz-Haller M. Hippocampal region-specific endogenous neuroprotection as an approach in the search for new neuroprotective strategies in ischemic stroke. Fiction or fact? Neurochem Int 2023; 162:105455. [PMID: 36410452 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, and, while considerable progress has been made in understanding its pathophysiology, the lack of effective treatments remains a major concern. In that context, receiving more and more consideration as a promising therapeutic method is the activation of natural adaptive mechanisms (endogenous neuroprotection) - an approach that seeks to enhance and/or stimulate the endogenous processes of plasticity and protection of the neuronal system that trigger the brain's intrinsic capacity for self-defence. Ischemic preconditioning is a classic example of endogenous neuroprotection, being the process by which one or more brief, non-damaging episodes of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induce tissue resistance to subsequent prolonged, damaging ischemia. Another less-known example is resistance to an I/R episode mounted by the hippocampal region consisting of CA2, CA3, CA4 and the dentate gyrus (here abbreviated to CA2-4, DG). This can be contrasted with the ischemia-vulnerable CA1 region. There is not yet a good understanding of these different sensitivities of the hippocampal regions, and hence of the endogenous neuroprotection characteristic of CA2-4, DG. However, this region is widely reported to have properties distinct from CA1, and capable of generating resistance to an I/R episode. These include activation of neurotrophic and neuroprotective factors, greater activation of anti-excitotoxic and anti-oxidant mechanisms, increased plasticity potential, a greater energy reserve and improved mitochondrial function. This review seeks to summarize properties of CA2-4, DG in the context of endogenous neuroprotection, and then to assess the potential utility of these properties to therapeutic approaches. In so doing, it appears to represent the first such addressing of the issue of ischemia resistance attributable to CA2-4, DG.
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19
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Russo L, Giacomelli C, Fortino M, Marzo T, Ferri G, Calvello M, Viegi A, Magrì A, Pratesi A, Pietropaolo A, Cardarelli F, Martini C, Rizzarelli E, Marchetti L, La Mendola D, Trincavelli ML. Neurotrophic Activity and Its Modulation by Zinc Ion of a Dimeric Peptide Mimicking the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor N-Terminal Region. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3453-3463. [PMID: 36346920 PMCID: PMC9732821 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin (NT) essential for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of BDNF signaling is implicated in different neurological disorders. The direct NT administration as therapeutics has revealed to be challenging. This has prompted the design of peptides mimicking different regions of the BDNF structure. Although loops 2 and 4 have been thoroughly investigated, less is known regarding the BDNF N-terminal region, which is involved in the selective recognition of the TrkB receptor. Herein, a dimeric form of the linear peptide encompassing the 1-12 residues of the BDNF N-terminal (d-bdnf) was synthesized. It demonstrated to act as an agonist promoting specific phosphorylation of TrkB and downstream ERK and AKT effectors. The ability to promote TrkB dimerization was investigated by advanced fluorescence microscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, finding activation modes shared with BDNF. Furthermore, d-bdnf was able to sustain neurite outgrowth and increase the expression of differentiation (NEFM, LAMC1) and polarization markers (MAP2, MAPT) demonstrating its neurotrophic activity. As TrkB activity is affected by zinc ions in the synaptic cleft, we first verified the ability of d-bdnf to coordinate zinc and then the effect of such complexation on its activity. The d-bdnf neurotrophic activity was reduced by zinc complexation, demonstrating the role of the latter in tuning the activity of the new peptido-mimetic. Taken together our data uncover the neurotrophic properties of a novel BDNF mimetic peptide and pave the way for future studies to understand the pharmacological basis of d-bdnf action and develop novel BDNF-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Russo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Tiziano Marzo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio
NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Magrì
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Dipartimento
di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università
di Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy,Università
degli Studi di Catania, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
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20
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Nordvall G, Forsell P, Sandin J. Neurotrophin-targeted therapeutics: A gateway to cognition and more? Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103318. [PMID: 35850433 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), are small proteins expressed in the brain and peripheral tissues, which regulate several key aspects of neuronal function, including neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection, but also programmed cell death. This broad range of effects is a result of a complex downstream signaling pathway, with differential spatial and temporal activation patterns further diversifying their physiological effects. Alterations in neurotrophin levels, or known polymorphisms in neurotrophin genes, have been linked to a variety of disorders, including depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Historically, their therapeutic potential in these disorders has been hampered by the lack of suitable tool molecules for clinical studies. However, recent advancements have led to the development of new therapeutic candidates, which are now in clinical testing.
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21
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Tacke C, DiStefano PS, Lindsay RM, Metzdorf K, Zagrebelsky M, Korte M. Actions of the TrkB Agonist Antibody ZEB85 in Regulating the Architecture and Synaptic Plasticity in Hippocampal Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:945348. [PMID: 35845610 PMCID: PMC9280622 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.945348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling of BDNF via its TrkB receptor is crucial in regulating several critical aspects of the architecture and function of neurons both during development and in the adult central nervous system. Indeed, several neurological conditions, such as neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with alterations both in the expression levels of BDNF and TrkB, and in their intracellular signaling. Thus, the possibility of promoting BDNF/TrkB signaling has become relevant as a potential therapeutic intervention for neurological disorders. However, the clinical potential of BDNF itself has been limited due to its restricted diffusion rate in biological tissue, poor bioavailability and pharmacological properties, as well as the potential for unwanted side effects due to its ability to also signal via the p75NTR pathway. Several small molecule and biologic drug candidate TrkB agonists have been developed and are reported to have effects in rescuing both the pathological alterations and disease related symptoms in mouse models of several neurological diseases. However, recent side-by-side comparative studies failed to show their specificity for activating TrkB signaling cascades, suggesting the need for the generation and validation of improved candidates. In the present study, we examine the ability of the novel, fully human TrkB agonist antibody ZEB85 to modulate the architecture, activity and synaptic plasticity of hippocampal murine neurons under physiological conditions. Moreover, we show here that ZEB85 prevents β-amyloid toxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons, in a manner which is comparable to BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Tacke
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Charlotte Tacke,
| | | | | | - Kristin Metzdorf
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Research Group Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration (AG NIND), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marta Zagrebelsky
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Marta Zagrebelsky,
| | - Martin Korte
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Research Group Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration (AG NIND), Braunschweig, Germany
- Martin Korte,
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22
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Foster AC, Szobota S, Piu F, Jacques BE, Moore DR, Sanchez VA, Anderson JJ. A neurotrophic approach to treating hearing loss: Translation from animal models to clinical proof-of-concept. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 151:3937. [PMID: 35778165 DOI: 10.1121/10.0011510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there are no approved medicines available for the treatment of hearing loss. However, research over the past two decades has contributed to a growing understanding of the pathological mechanisms in the cochlea that result in hearing difficulties. The concept that a loss of the synapses connecting inner hair cells with the auditory nerve (cochlear synaptopathy) contributes to hearing loss has gained considerable attention. Both animal and human post-mortem studies support the idea that these synapses (ribbon synapses) are highly vulnerable to noise, ototoxicity, and the aging process. Their degeneration has been suggested as an important factor in the speech-in-noise difficulties commonly experienced by those suffering with hearing loss. Neurotrophins such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have the potential to restore these synapses and provide improved hearing function. OTO-413 is a sustained exposure formulation of BDNF suitable for intratympanic administration that in preclinical models has shown the ability to restore ribbon synapses and provide functional hearing benefit. A phase 1/2 clinical trial with OTO-413 has provided initial proof-of-concept for improved speech-in-noise hearing performance in subjects with hearing loss. Key considerations for the design of this clinical study, including aspects of the speech-in-noise assessments, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Foster
- Research and Preclinical Development, Otonomy Inc., 4796 Executive Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Stephanie Szobota
- Research and Preclinical Development, Otonomy Inc., 4796 Executive Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Fabrice Piu
- Research and Preclinical Development, Otonomy Inc., 4796 Executive Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Bonnie E Jacques
- Research and Preclinical Development, Otonomy Inc., 4796 Executive Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - David R Moore
- Communication Sciences Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - Victoria A Sanchez
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 73, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA
| | - Jeffery J Anderson
- Clinical Sciences, Otonomy Inc., 4796 Executive Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA
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Tessarollo L, Yanpallewar S. TrkB Truncated Isoform Receptors as Transducers and Determinants of BDNF Functions. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:847572. [PMID: 35321093 PMCID: PMC8934854 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.847572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the neurotrophin family of secreted growth factors and binds with high affinity to the TrkB tyrosine kinase receptors. BDNF is a critical player in the development of the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system of vertebrates and its strong pro-survival function on neurons has attracted great interest as a potential therapeutic target for the management of neurodegenerative disorders such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Huntington, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The TrkB gene, in addition to the full-length receptor, encodes a number of isoforms, including some lacking the catalytic tyrosine kinase domain. Importantly, one of these truncated isoforms, namely TrkB.T1, is the most widely expressed TrkB receptor in the adult suggesting an important role in the regulation of BDNF signaling. Although some progress has been made, the mechanism of TrkB.T1 function is still largely unknown. Here we critically review the current knowledge on TrkB.T1 distribution and functions that may be helpful to our understanding of how it regulates and participates in BDNF signaling in normal physiological and pathological conditions.
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Wang CS, Kavalali ET, Monteggia LM. BDNF signaling in context: From synaptic regulation to psychiatric disorders. Cell 2022; 185:62-76. [PMID: 34963057 PMCID: PMC8741740 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuropeptide that plays numerous important roles in synaptic development and plasticity. While its importance in fundamental physiology is well established, studies of BDNF often produce conflicting and unclear results, and the scope of existing research makes the prospect of setting future directions daunting. In this review, we examine the importance of spatial and temporal factors on BDNF activity, particularly in processes such as synaptogenesis, Hebbian plasticity, homeostatic plasticity, and the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Understanding the fundamental physiology of when, where, and how BDNF acts and new approaches to control BDNF signaling in time and space can contribute to improved therapeutics and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille S Wang
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2050, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA
| | - Ege T Kavalali
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2050, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA
| | - Lisa M Monteggia
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2050, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA.
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25
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Zaitoun IS, Song YS, Suscha A, El Ragaby M, Sorenson CM, Sheibani N. 7, 8-Dihydroxyflavone, a TrkB receptor agonist, provides minimal protection against retinal vascular damage during oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260793. [PMID: 34855884 PMCID: PMC8638941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the main causes of blindness in children worldwide. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), play critical protective roles in the development and function of neurons and vasculature. Lack of BDNF expression results in increased endothelial cell apoptosis and reduced endothelial cell-cell contact. Premature babies who develop ROP tend to have lower serum BDNF levels. BDNF expression is also significantly lower in mouse retinas following exposure to hyperoxia compared to those reared in room air. Specifically, BDNF promotes angiogenic tube formation of endothelial cells (EC), and it is considered an EC survival factor required for stabilization of intramyocardial vessels. We hypothesized that the activation of TrkB receptor protects retinal vasculature in the mice during oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy (OIR), a model of ROP. To test this hypothesis, we treated neonatal mice with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) (5 mg/kg body weight), a TrkB receptor agonist. We examined its potential protective effects on retinal vessel obliteration and neovascularization, two hallmarks of ROP and OIR. We found that retinas from DHF treated postnatal day 8 (P8) and P12 mice have similar levels of vessel obliteration as retinas from age-matched control mice subjected to OIR. Similarly, DHF showed no significant effect on mitigation of retinal neovascularization during OIR in P17 mice. Collectively, our studies demonstrate that the TrkB receptor agonist DHF provides no significant protective effects during OIR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail S. Zaitoun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Yong-Seok Song
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Andrew Suscha
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Mohamed El Ragaby
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Christine M. Sorenson
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Nader Sheibani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
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26
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Gonzalez S, McHugh TLM, Yang T, Syriani W, Massa SM, Longo FM, Simmons DA. Small molecule modulation of TrkB and TrkC neurotrophin receptors prevents cholinergic neuron atrophy in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model at an advanced pathological stage. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105563. [PMID: 34838668 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) and vertical diagonal band (VDB) along with their connections is a key pathological event leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aberrant neurotrophin signaling via Trks and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) contributes importantly to BFCN dystrophy. While NGF/TrkA signaling has received the most attention in this regard, TrkB and TrkC signaling also provide trophic support to BFCNs and these receptors may be well located to preserve BFCN connectivity. We previously identified a small molecule TrkB/TrkC ligand, LM22B-10, that promotes cell survival and neurite outgrowth in vitro and activates TrkB/TrkC signaling in the hippocampus of aged mice when given intranasally, but shows poor oral bioavailability. An LM22B-10 derivative, PTX-BD10-2, with improved oral bioavailability has been developed and this study examined its effects on BFCN atrophy in the hAPPLond/Swe (APPL/S) AD mouse model. Oral delivery of PTX-BD10-2 was started after appreciable amyloid and cholinergic pathology was present to parallel the clinical context, as most AD patients start treatment at advanced pathological stages. PTX-BD10-2 restored cholinergic neurite integrity in the NBM and VDB, and reduced NBM neuronal atrophy in symptomatic APPL/S mice. Dystrophy of cholinergic neurites in BF target regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, was also reduced with treatment. Finally, PTX-BD10-2 reduced NBM tau pathology and improved the survival of cholinergic neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) after amyloid-β exposure. These data provide evidence that targeting TrkB and TrkC signaling with PTX-BD10-2 may be an effective disease-modifying strategy for combating cholinergic dysfunction in AD. The potential for clinical translation is further supported by the compound's reduction of AD-related degenerative processes that have progressed beyond early stages and its neuroprotective effects in human iPSC-derived cholinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Gonzalez
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tyne L M McHugh
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Wassim Syriani
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Stephen M Massa
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Computational Neurochemistry and Drug Discovery, Veterans Affairs Health Care System and Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States of America
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Danielle A Simmons
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America.
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Do Small Molecules Activate the TrkB Receptor in the Same Manner as BDNF? Limitations of Published TrkB Low Molecular Agonists and Screening for Novel TrkB Orthosteric Agonists. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080704. [PMID: 34451801 PMCID: PMC8398766 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080704] [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: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
TrkB is a tyrosine kinase receptor that is activated upon binding to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). To date, the search for low-molecular-weight molecules mimicking BDNF’s action has been unsuccessful. Several molecules exerting antidepressive effects in vivo, such as 7,8-DHF, have been suggested to be TrkB agonists. However, more recent publications question this hypothesis. In this study, we developed a set of experimental procedures including the evaluation of direct interactions, dimerization, downstream signaling, and cytoprotection in parallel with physicochemical and ADME methods to verify the pharmacology of 7,8-DHF and other potential reference compounds, and perform screening for novel TrkB agonists. 7,8 DHF bound to TrkB with Kd = 1.3 μM; however, we were not able to observe any other activity against the TrkB receptor in SN56 T48 and differentiated SH-SY5Y cell lines. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of 7,8-DHF at doses of 1 and 50 mg/kg were examined in mice after i.v and oral administration, respectively. The poor pharmacokinetic properties and lack of observed activation of TrkB-dependent signaling in the brain confirmed that 7,8-DHF is not a relevant tool for studying TrkB activation in vivo. The binding profile for 133 molecular targets revealed a significant lack of selectivity of 7,8-DHF, suggesting a distinct functional profile independent of interaction with TrkB. Additionally, a compound library was screened in search of novel low-molecular-weight orthosteric TrkB agonists; however, we were not able to identify reliable drug candidates. Our results suggest that published reference compounds including 7,8-DHF do not activate TrkB, consistent with canonical dogma, which indicates that the reported pharmacological activity of these compounds should be interpreted carefully in a broad functional context.
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Monk R, Lee K, Jones KS, Connor B. Directly reprogrammed Huntington's disease neural precursor cells generate striatal neurons exhibiting aggregates and impaired neuronal maturation. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2021; 39:1410-1422. [PMID: 34028139 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of striatal medium spiny neurons. Using a highly efficient protocol for direct reprogramming of adult human fibroblasts with chemically modified mRNA, we report the first generation of HD induced neural precursor cells (iNPs) expressing striatal lineage markers that differentiated into DARPP32+ neurons from individuals with adult-onset HD (41-57 CAG). While no transcriptional differences between normal and HD reprogrammed neurons were detected by NanoString nCounter analysis, a subpopulation of HD reprogrammed neurons contained ubiquitinated polyglutamine aggregates. Importantly, reprogrammed HD neurons exhibited impaired neuronal maturation, displaying altered neurite morphology and more depolarized resting membrane potentials. Reduced BDNF protein expression in reprogrammed HD neurons correlated with increased CAG repeat lengths and earlier symptom onset. This model represents a platform for investigating impaired neuronal maturation and screening for neuronal maturation modifiers to treat HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Monk
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn S Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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29
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de Deus JL, Amorim MR, Ribeiro AB, Barcellos-Filho PCG, Ceballos CC, Branco LGS, Cunha AOS, Leão RM. Loss of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediates Inhibition of Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation by High-Intensity Sound. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:751-763. [PMID: 32445041 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00881-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to noise produces cognitive and emotional disorders, and recent studies have shown that auditory stimulation or deprivation affects hippocampal function. Previously, we showed that exposure to high-intensity sound (110 dB, 1 min) strongly inhibits Schaffer-CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP). Here we investigated possible mechanisms involved in this effect. We found that exposure to 110 dB sound activates c-fos expression in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons. Although sound stimulation did not affect glutamatergic or GABAergic neurotransmission in CA1, it did depress the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is involved in promoting hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Moreover, perfusion of slices with BDNF rescued LTP in animals exposed to sound stimulation, whereas BDNF did not affect LTP in sham-stimulated rats. Furthermore, LM22A4, a TrkB receptor agonist, also rescued LTP from sound-stimulated animals. Our results indicate that depression of hippocampal BDNF mediates the inhibition of LTP produced by high-intensity sound stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júnia L de Deus
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-904, Brazil
| | - Mateus R Amorim
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-904, Brazil
| | - Aline B Ribeiro
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Procópio C G Barcellos-Filho
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - César C Ceballos
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Guilherme S Branco
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-904, Brazil
| | - Alexandra O S Cunha
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo M Leão
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
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Luta G, Butura M, Tiron A, Tiron CE. Enhancing Anti-Tumoral Potential of CD-NHF by Modulating PI3K/Akt Axis in U87 Ex Vivo Glioma Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083873. [PMID: 33918086 PMCID: PMC8070499 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the latest years, there has been an increased interest in nanomaterials that may provide promising novel approaches to disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Our previous results demonstrated that Carbon-dots prepared from N-hydroxyphthalimide (CD-NHF) exhibited anti-tumoral activity on several cancer cell lines such as MDA-MB-231, A375, A549, and RPMI8226, while U87 glioma tumor cells were unaffected. Gliomas represent one of the most common types of human primary brain tumors and are responsible for the majority of deaths. In the present in vitro study, we expand our previous investigation on CD-NHF in the U87 cell line by adding different drug combinations. METHODS Cell viability, migration, invasion, and immunofluorescent staining of key molecular pathways have been assessed after various treatments with CD-NHF and/or K252A and AKTVIII inhibitors in the U87 cell line. RESULTS Association of an inhibitor strongly potentiates the anti-tumoral properties of CD-NHF identified by significant impairment of migration, invasion, and expression levels of phosphorylated Akt, p70S6Kinase, or by decreasing expression levels of Bcl-2, IL-6, STAT3, and Slug. CONCLUSIONS Using simultaneously reduced doses of both CD-NHF and an inhibitor in order to reduce side effects, the viability and invasiveness of U87 glioma cells were significantly impaired.
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Liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and their co-treatment prevents loss of vision and cognitive decline in a Wolfram syndrome rat model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2275. [PMID: 33500541 PMCID: PMC7838169 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a monogenic progressive neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by various neurological symptoms, such as optic nerve atrophy, loss of vision, cognitive decline, memory impairment, and learning difficulties. GLP1 receptor agonist liraglutide and BDNF mimetic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) have had protective effect to visual pathway and to learning and memory in different rat models of neurodegenerative disorders. Although synergistic co-treatment effect has not been reported before and therefore the aim of the current study was to investigate liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and most importantly for the first time their co-treatment effect on degenerative processes in WS rat model. We took 9 months old WS rats and their wild-type (WT) control animals and treated them daily with liraglutide, 7,8-DHF or with the combination of liraglutide and 7,8-DHF up to the age of 12.5 months (n = 47, 5-8 per group). We found that liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and their co-treatment all prevented lateral ventricle enlargement, improved learning in Morris Water maze, reduced neuronal inflammation, delayed the progression of optic nerve atrophy, had remyelinating effect on optic nerve and thereby improved visual acuity in WS rats compared to WT controls. Thus, the use of the liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and their co-treatment could potentially be used as a therapeutic intervention to induce neuroprotection or even neuronal regeneration.
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32
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Adams I, Yang T, Longo FM, Katz DM. Restoration of motor learning in a mouse model of Rett syndrome following long-term treatment with a novel small-molecule activator of TrkB. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:13/11/dmm044685. [PMID: 33361117 PMCID: PMC7710018 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and impaired activation of the BDNF receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB; also known as Ntrk2), are thought to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Previous studies from this and other laboratories have shown that enhancing BDNF expression and/or TrkB activation in Mecp2-deficient mouse models of RTT can ameliorate or reverse abnormal neurological phenotypes that mimic human RTT symptoms. The present study reports on the preclinical efficacy of a novel, small-molecule, non-peptide TrkB partial agonist, PTX-BD4-3, in heterozygous female Mecp2 mutant mice, a well-established RTT model that recapitulates the genetic mosaicism of the human disease. PTX-BD4-3 exhibited specificity for TrkB in cell-based assays of neurotrophin receptor activation and neuronal cell survival and in in vitro receptor binding assays. PTX-BD4-3 also activated TrkB following systemic administration to wild-type and Mecp2 mutant mice and was rapidly cleared from the brain and plasma with a half-life of ∼2 h. Chronic intermittent treatment of Mecp2 mutants with a low dose of PTX-BD4-3 (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, once every 3 days for 8 weeks) reversed deficits in two core RTT symptom domains – respiration and motor control – and symptom rescue was maintained for at least 24 h after the last dose. Together, these data indicate that significant clinically relevant benefit can be achieved in a mouse model of RTT with a chronic intermittent, low-dose treatment paradigm targeting the neurotrophin receptor TrkB. Editor's choice: Long-term intermittent treatment with a newly developed partial agonist of the TrkB neurotrophin receptor reverses deficits in motor learning and respiration in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Adams
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4975, USA
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David M Katz
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4975, USA
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BDNF Outperforms TrkB Agonist 7,8,3'-THF in Preserving the Auditory Nerve in Deafened Guinea Pigs. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10110787. [PMID: 33126525 PMCID: PMC7692073 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In deaf subjects using a cochlear implant (CI) for hearing restoration, the auditory nerve is subject to degeneration, which may negatively impact CI effectiveness. This nerve degeneration can be reduced by neurotrophic treatment. Here, we compare the preservative effects of the naturally occurring tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) agonist brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the small-molecule TrkB agonist 7,8,3′-trihydroxyflavone (THF) on the auditory nerve in deafened guinea pigs. THF may be more effective than BDNF throughout the cochlea because of better pharmacokinetic properties. The neurotrophic compounds were delivered by placement of a gelatin sponge on the perforated round window membrane. To complement the histology of spiral ganglion cells (SGCs), electrically evoked compound action potential (eCAP) recordings were performed four weeks after treatment initiation. We analyzed the eCAP inter-phase gap (IPG) effect and measures derived from pulse-train evoked eCAPs, both indicative of SGC healthiness. BDNF but not THF yielded a significantly higher survival of SGCs in the basal cochlear turn than untreated controls. Regarding IPG effect and pulse-train responses, the BDNF-treated animals exhibited more normal responses than both untreated and THF-treated animals. We have thus confirmed the protective effect of BDNF, but we have not confirmed previously reported protective effects of THF with our clinically applicable delivery method.
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Emili M, Guidi S, Uguagliati B, Giacomini A, Bartesaghi R, Stagni F. Treatment with the flavonoid 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone: a promising strategy for a constellation of body and brain disorders. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 62:13-50. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1810625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Emili
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandra Guidi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Uguagliati
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Renata Bartesaghi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Stagni
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Rimini, Italy
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Abstract
Dendritic spines are tiny membrane specialization forming the postsynaptic part of most excitatory synapses. They have been suggested to play a crucial role in regulating synaptic transmission during development and in adult learning processes. Changes in their number, size, and shape are correlated with processes of structural synaptic plasticity and learning and memory and also with neurodegenerative diseases, when spines are lost. Thus, their alterations can correlate with neuronal homeostasis, but also with dysfunction in several neurological disorders characterized by cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to understand how different stages in the life of a dendritic spine, including formation, maturation, and plasticity, are strictly regulated. In this context, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), belonging to the NGF-neurotrophin family, is among the most intensively investigated molecule. This review would like to report the current knowledge regarding the role of BDNF in regulating dendritic spine number, structure, and plasticity concentrating especially on its signaling via its two often functionally antagonistic receptors, TrkB and p75NTR. In addition, we point out a series of open points in which, while the role of BDNF signaling is extremely likely conclusive, evidence is still missing.
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Wang S, Yao H, Xu Y, Hao R, Zhang W, Liu H, Huang Y, Guo W, Lu B. Therapeutic potential of a TrkB agonistic antibody for Alzheimer's disease. Theranostics 2020; 10:6854-6874. [PMID: 32550908 PMCID: PMC7295064 DOI: 10.7150/thno.44165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated failures of "Aβ-lowering" therapies call for new targets and therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We propose to treat AD by halting neuronal death and repairing synapses using a BDNF-based therapy. To overcome the poor druggability of BDNF, we have developed an agonistic antibody AS86 to mimic the function of BDNF, and evaluate its therapeutic potential for AD. Method: Biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral techniques were used to investigate the effects of AS86 in vitro and in vivo. Results: AS86 specifically activated the BDNF receptor TrkB and its downstream signaling, without affecting its other receptor p75NTR. It promoted neurite outgrowth, enhanced spine growth and prevented Aβ-induced cell death in cultured neurons, and facilitated Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal slices. A single-dose tail-vein injection of AS86 activated TrkB signaling in the brain, with a half-life of 6 days in the blood and brain. Bi-weekly peripheral administration of AS86 rescued the deficits in object-recognition memory in the APP/PS1 mouse model. AS86 also reversed spatial memory deficits in the 11-month, but not 14-month old AD mouse model. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the potential of AS86 in AD therapy, suggesting that neuronal and/or synaptic repair as an alternative therapeutic strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shudan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, 100070
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518057
| | - Hongyang Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
| | - Yihua Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518057
| | - Rui Hao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, 200065
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
| | - Hang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518057
| | - Ying Huang
- Center of Translational Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, 200065
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, 100070
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518057
| | - Bai Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 100084
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, 100070
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518057
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37
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Benko J, Vranková S. Natural Psychoplastogens As Antidepressant Agents. Molecules 2020; 25:E1172. [PMID: 32150976 PMCID: PMC7179157 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing prevalence and burden of major depressive disorder presents an unavoidable problem for psychiatry. Existing antidepressants exert their effect only after several weeks of continuous treatment. In addition, their serious side effects and ineffectiveness in one-third of patients call for urgent action. Recent advances have given rise to the concept of psychoplastogens. These compounds are capable of fast structural and functional rearrangement of neural networks by targeting mechanisms previously implicated in the development of depression. Furthermore, evidence shows that they exert a potent acute and long-term positive effects, reaching beyond the treatment of psychiatric diseases. Several of them are naturally occurring compounds, such as psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone. Their pharmacology and effects in animal and human studies were discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Benko
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislava Vranková
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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38
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Cousins RPC. Medicines discovery for auditory disorders: Challenges for industry. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:3652. [PMID: 31795652 DOI: 10.1121/1.5132706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Currently, no approved medicines are available for the prevention or treatment of hearing loss. Pharmaceutical industry productivity across all therapeutic indications has historically been disappointing, with a 90% chance of failure in delivering a marketed drug after entering clinical evaluation. To address these failings, initiatives have been applied in the three cornerstones of medicine discovery: target selection, clinical candidate selection, and clinical studies. These changes aimed to enable data-informed decisions on the translation of preclinical observations into a safe, clinically effective medicine by ensuring the best biological target is selected, the most appropriate chemical entity is advanced, and that the clinical studies enroll the correct patients. The specific underlying pathologies need to be known to allow appropriate patient selection, so improved diagnostics are required, as are methodologies for measuring in the inner ear target engagement, drug delivery and pharmacokinetics. The different therapeutic strategies of protecting hearing or preventing hearing loss versus restoring hearing are reviewed along with potential treatments for tinnitus. Examples of current investigational drugs are discussed to highlight key challenges in drug discovery and the learnings being applied to improve the probability of success of launching a marketed medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick P C Cousins
- University College London Ear Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom
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39
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Szobota S, Mathur PD, Siegel S, Black K, Saragovi HU, Foster AC. BDNF, NT-3 and Trk receptor agonist monoclonal antibodies promote neuron survival, neurite extension, and synapse restoration in rat cochlea ex vivo models relevant for hidden hearing loss. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224022. [PMID: 31671109 PMCID: PMC6822712 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins and their mimetics are potential treatments for hearing disorders because of their trophic effects on spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) whose connections to hair cells may be compromised in many forms of hearing loss. Studies in noise or ototoxin-exposed animals have shown that local delivery of NT-3 or BDNF has beneficial effects on SGNs and hearing. We evaluated several TrkB or TrkC monoclonal antibody agonists and small molecules, along with BDNF and NT-3, in rat cochlea ex vivo models. The TrkB agonists BDNF and a monoclonal antibody, M3, had the greatest effects on SGN survival, neurite outgrowth and branching. In organotypic cochlear explants, BDNF and M3 enhanced synapse formation between SGNs and inner hair cells and restored these connections after excitotoxin-induced synaptopathy. Loss of these synapses has recently been implicated in hidden hearing loss, a condition characterized by difficulty hearing speech in the presence of background noise. The unique profile of M3 revealed here warrants further investigation, and the broad activity profile of BDNF observed underpins its continued development as a hearing loss therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Szobota
- Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Sairey Siegel
- Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
| | | | - H. Uri Saragovi
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alan C. Foster
- Otonomy, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
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40
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Nguyen HTH, Wood RJ, Prawdiuk AR, Furness SGB, Xiao J, Murray SS, Fletcher JL. TrkB Agonist LM22A-4 Increases Oligodendroglial Populations During Myelin Repair in the Corpus Callosum. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:205. [PMID: 31507374 PMCID: PMC6718610 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes central nervous system (CNS) myelination during development and after injury. This is achieved via activation of oligodendrocyte-expressed tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) B receptors. However, while administration of BDNF has shown beneficial effects, BDNF itself has a poor pharmacokinetic profile. Here, we compare two TrkB-targeted BDNF-mimetics, the structural-mimetic, tricyclic dimeric peptide-6 (TDP6) and the non-peptide small molecule TrkB agonist LM22A-4 in a cuprizone model of central demyelination in female mice. Both mimetics promoted remyelination, increasing myelin sheath thickness and oligodendrocyte densities after 1-week recovery. Importantly, LM22A-4 exerts these effects in an oligodendroglial TrkB-dependent manner. However, analysis of TrkB signaling by LM22A-4 suggests rather than direct activation of TrkB, LM22A-4 exerts its effects via indirect transactivation of Trk receptors. Overall, these studies support the therapeutic strategy to selectively targeting TrkB activation to promote remyelination in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huynh T. H. Nguyen
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhiannon J. Wood
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexa R. Prawdiuk
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sebastian G. B. Furness
- Drug Discovery Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Junhua Xiao
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon S. Murray
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica L. Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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41
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Targeting BDNF/TrkB pathways for preventing or suppressing epilepsy. Neuropharmacology 2019; 167:107734. [PMID: 31377199 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and status epilepticus (SE) have both been linked to development of human epilepsy. Although distinct etiologies, current research has suggested the convergence of molecular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis following these insults. One such mechanism involves the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high-affinity receptor, tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB). In this review, we focus on currently available data regarding the pathophysiologic role of BDNF/TrkB signaling in epilepsy development. We specifically examine the axonal injury and SE epilepsy models, two animal models that recapitulate many aspects of TBI- and SE-induced epilepsy in humans respectively. Thereafter, we discuss aspiring strategies for targeting BDNF/TrkB signaling so as to prevent epilepsy following an insult or suppress its expression once developed. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'New Epilepsy Therapies for the 21st Century - From Antiseizure Drugs to Prevention, Modification and Cure of Epilepsy'.
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42
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Han F, Guan X, Guo W, Lu B. Therapeutic potential of a TrkB agonistic antibody for ischemic brain injury. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 127:570-581. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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43
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Thomaz A, Pinheiro KDV, Souza BK, Gregianin L, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, de Farias CB, Jaeger MDC, Ramaswamy V, Nör C, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Antitumor Activities and Cellular Changes Induced by TrkB Inhibition in Medulloblastoma. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:698. [PMID: 31297057 PMCID: PMC6606946 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are critically involved in regulating normal neural development and plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin that acts by binding to the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor, has also been implicated in the progression of several types of cancer. However, its role in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain tumor afflicting children, remains unclear. Here we show that selective TrkB inhibition with the small molecule compound ANA-12 impaired proliferation and viability of human UW228 and D283 MB cells, and slowed the growth of MB tumors xenografted into nude mice. These effects were accompanied by increased apoptosis, reduced extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, increased expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and differential modulation of p21 expression dependent on the cell line. In addition, MB cells treated with ANA-12 showed morphological alterations consistent with differentiation, increased levels of the neural differentiation marker β-III Tubulin (TUBB3), and reduced expression of the stemness marker Nestin. These findings are consistent with the possibility that selective TrkB inhibition can display consistent anticancer effects in MB, possibly by modulating intracellular signaling and gene expression related to tumor progression, apoptosis, and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Thomaz
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kelly de Vargas Pinheiro
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Kunzler Souza
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Algemir L Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - André T Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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44
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Sidorova YA, Volcho KP, Salakhutdinov NF. Neuroregeneration in Parkinson's Disease: From Proteins to Small Molecules. Curr Neuropharmacol 2019; 17:268-287. [PMID: 30182859 PMCID: PMC6425072 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x16666180905094123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, the lifetime risk of developing this disease is 1.5%. Motor diagnostic symptoms of PD are caused by degeneration of nigrostria-tal dopamine neurons. There is no cure for PD and current therapy is limited to supportive care that partially alleviates dis-ease signs and symptoms. As diagnostic symptoms of PD result from progressive degeneration of dopamine neurons, drugs restoring these neurons may significantly improve treatment of PD. Method: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases to discuss the pro-gress achieved in the development of neuroregenerative agents for PD. Papers published before early 2018 were taken into account. Results: Here, we review several groups of potential agents capable of protecting and restoring dopamine neurons in cul-tures or animal models of PD including neurotrophic factors and small molecular weight compounds. Conclusion: Despite the promising results of in vitro and in vivo experiments, none of the found agents have yet shown conclusive neurorestorative properties in PD patients. Meanwhile, a few promising biologicals and small molecules have been identified. Their further clinical development can eventually give rise to disease-modifying drugs for PD. Thus, inten-sive research in the field is justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A Sidorova
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Konstantin P Volcho
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Nariman F Salakhutdinov
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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45
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7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons from Rotenone-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rodents. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2019; 2019:9193534. [PMID: 30944722 PMCID: PMC6421741 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9193534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) is thought to be a promising therapeutic agent for various neurodegenerative diseases. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of 7,8-DHF on the rotenone-induced motor deficit of Parkinson's disease. Nine-month-old rats were treated with rotenone (2 mg/kg/day, i.h.) for 5 weeks to establish the animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD), and 7,8-DHF (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administrated daily throughout the whole period of rotenone injection. Five weeks later, an open field test was used to assess the motor ability of the animals. TH immunostaining was performed to evaluate rotenone-induced neurotoxicity on substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons and the DA terminals in the striatum. Western blot analyses were used to examine the expressions of TH, BDNF/TrkB signaling cascades, phospho-α-synuclein (Ser129), α-synuclein, and phospho-tau (Ser396) in SN. The results revealed that treatment with 7,8-DHF improved PD model's behavioral performance and reduced dopaminergic neuron loss in the SN and striatum, associated with the activation of TrkB receptors and its signaling cascades, and reduced p-MAPK, p-α-synuclein, and p-tau. Collectively, these results indicated that 7,8-DHF displayed prominent neuroprotective properties, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for PD treatment.
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46
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Sudarshan K, Boda AK, Dogra S, Bose I, Yadav PN, Aidhen IS. Discovery of an isocoumarin analogue that modulates neuronal functions via neurotrophin receptor TrkB. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:585-590. [PMID: 30600206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.12.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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47
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Radioligands for Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase (Trk) Positron Emission Tomography Imaging. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12010007. [PMID: 30609832 PMCID: PMC6469173 DOI: 10.3390/ph12010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The tropomyosin receptor kinases family (TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC) supports neuronal growth, survival, and differentiation during development, adult life, and aging. TrkA/B/C downregulation is a prominent hallmark of various neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abnormally expressed or overexpressed full-length or oncogenic fusion TrkA/B/C proteins were shown to drive tumorigenesis in a variety of neurogenic and non-neurogenic human cancers and are currently the focus of intensive clinical research. Neurologic and oncologic studies of the spatiotemporal alterations in TrkA/B/C expression and density and the determination of target engagement of emerging antineoplastic clinical inhibitors in normal and diseased tissue are crucially needed but have remained largely unexplored due to the lack of suitable non-invasive probes. Here, we review the recent development of carbon-11- and fluorine-18-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands based on specifically designed small molecule kinase catalytic domain-binding inhibitors of TrkA/B/C. Basic developments in medicinal chemistry, radiolabeling and translational PET imaging in multiple species including humans are highlighted.
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48
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Albeely AM, Ryan SD, Perreault ML. Pathogenic Feed-Forward Mechanisms in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease Converge on GSK-3. Brain Plast 2018; 4:151-167. [PMID: 30598867 PMCID: PMC6311352 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-180078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) share many commonalities ranging from signaling deficits such as altered cholinergic activity, neurotrophin and insulin signaling to cell stress cascades that result in proteinopathy, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cell death. These pathological processes are not unidirectional, but are intertwined, resulting in a series of feed-forward loops that worsen symptoms and advance disease progression. At the center of these loops is glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a keystone protein involved in many of the multidirectional biological processes that contribute to AD and PD neuropathology. Here, a unified overview of the involvement of GSK-3 in the major processes involved in these diseases will be presented. The mechanisms by which these processes are linked will be discussed and the feed-forward pathways identified. In this regard, this review will put forth the notion that combination therapy, targeting these multiple facets of AD or PD neuropathology is a necessary next step in the search for effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla M. Albeely
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Scott D. Ryan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa L. Perreault
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Dietz RM, Orfila JE, Rodgers KM, Patsos OP, Deng G, Chalmers N, Quillinan N, Traystman RJ, Herson PS. Juvenile cerebral ischemia reveals age-dependent BDNF-TrkB signaling changes: Novel mechanism of recovery and therapeutic intervention. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2018; 38:2223-2235. [PMID: 29611441 PMCID: PMC6282214 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x18766421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Global ischemia in childhood often leads to poor neurologic outcomes, including learning and memory deficits. Using our novel model of childhood cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR), we investigate the mechanism of ischemia-induced cognitive deficits and recovery. Memory is impaired seven days after juvenile CA/CPR and completely recovers by 30 days. Consistent with this remarkable recovery not observed in adults, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is impaired 7-14 days after CA/CPR, recovering by 30 days. This recovery is not due to the replacement of dead neurons (neurogenesis), but rather correlates with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, implicating BDNF as the molecular mechanism underlying impairment and recovery. Importantly, delayed activation of TrkB receptor signaling reverses CA/CPR-induced LTP deficits and memory impairments. These data provide two new insights (1) endogenous recovery of memory and LTP through development may contribute to improved neurological outcome in children compared to adults and (2) BDNF-enhancing drugs speed recovery from pediatric cardiac arrest during the critical school ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Dietz
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - James E Orfila
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Krista M Rodgers
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Olivia P Patsos
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Guiying Deng
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nicholas Chalmers
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nidia Quillinan
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,4 Department of Pharmacology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Richard J Traystman
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,4 Department of Pharmacology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paco S Herson
- 2 Neuronal Injury Program, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,3 Department of Anesthesiology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,4 Department of Pharmacology, 129263 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Ali Shariati M, Kumar V, Yang T, Chakraborty C, Barres BA, Longo FM, Liao YJ. A Small Molecule TrkB Neurotrophin Receptor Partial Agonist as Possible Treatment for Experimental Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Curr Eye Res 2018; 43:1489-1499. [PMID: 30273053 PMCID: PMC10710940 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2018.1508726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activation of its high affinity receptor tropomyosin kinase (Trk) B promote retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) survival following injury. In this study, we tested the effects of LM22A-4, a small molecule TrkB receptor-specific partial agonist, on RGC survival in vitro and in experimental nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), the most common acute optic neuropathy in those older than 50 years. METHODS We assessed drug effects on immunopanned, cultured RGCs and calculated RGC survival and assessed TrkB receptor activation by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase translocation. To assess effects in vivo, we induced murine AION and treated the animals with one intravitreal injection and three-week systemic treatment. We measured drug effects using serial spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and quantified retinal Brn3A+ RGC density three weeks after ischemia. RESULTS In vitro, LM22A-4 significantly increased the survival of cultured RGCs at day 2 (95% CI control: 8.4-13.6; LM22A-4: 23.7-30.3; BDNF: 24.3-29.9; P ≤ 0.0001), similar to the effect of the endogenous TrkB receptor ligand BDNF. There was also significant nuclear and cytoplasmic translocation of MAP kinase (95% CI control: 0.9-6.8; LM22A-4: 38.8-84.4; BDNF: 64.0-93.0; P = 0.0002), a known downstream event of TrkB receptor activation. Following AION, LM22A-4 treatment led to significant preservation of the ganglion cell complex (95% CI: AION-PBS: 66.8-70.7%; AION-LM22A-4: 70.0-73.1; P = 0.03) and total retinal thickness (95% CI: AION-PBS: 185-196%; AION-LM22A-4: 195-203; P = 0.002) as measured by OCT compared with non-treated eyes. There was also significant rescue of the Brn3A+ RGC density on morphometric analysis of whole mount retinae (95% CI control: 2360-2629; AION-PBS: 1647-2008 cells/mm2; AION-LM22A-4: 1958-2216 cells/mm2; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS TrkB receptor partial agonist LM22A-4 promoted survival of cultured RGCs in vitro by TrkB receptor activation, and treatment in vivo led to increased survival of RGCs after optic nerve ischemia, providing support that LM22A-4 may be effective therapy to treat ischemic optic neuropathy. ABBREVIATIONS AION: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, GCC: ganglion cell complex, MAP: mitogen-activated protein, OCT: spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, OD: right eye, ON: optic nerve, ONH: optic nerve head, OS: left eye, RGC: retinal ganglion cell; Trk: tropomyosin kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Shariati
- a Departments of Ophthalmology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Varun Kumar
- a Departments of Ophthalmology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Tao Yang
- b Neurobiology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
| | | | - Ben Anthony Barres
- b Neurobiology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Frank Michael Longo
- b Neurobiology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Yaping Joyce Liao
- a Departments of Ophthalmology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
- b Neurobiology , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
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