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Radulescu CI, Ferrari Bardile C, Garcia-Miralles M, Sidik H, Yusof NABM, Pouladi MA. Environmental Deprivation Effects on Myelin Ultrastructure in Huntington Disease and Wildtype Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4278-4288. [PMID: 38079108 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03799-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Environmental deprivation can have deleterious effects on adaptive myelination and oligodendroglia function. Early stage Huntington disease (HD) is characterised by white-matter myelin abnormalities in both humans and animal models. However, whether deprived environments exacerbate myelin-related pathological features of HD is not clearly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of deprivation and social isolation on ultrastructural features of myelin in the corpus callosum of the YAC128 mouse model of HD and wildtype (WT) mice using transmission electron microscopy. HD pathology on its own leads to increased representation of altered myelin features, such as thinner sheaths and compromised morphology. Interestingly, deprivation mirrors these effects in WT mice but does not greatly exacerbate the already aberrant myelin in HD mice, indicating a disease-related floor effect in the latter animals. These novel findings indicate that environmental deprivation causes abnormalities in myelin ultrastructure in the otherwise healthy corpus callosum of wild-type mice but has distinct effects on HD mice, where compromised myelin integrity is manifest from early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola I Radulescu
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI), Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Harwin Sidik
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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2
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Zadegan SA, Ramirez F, Reddy KS, Sahin O, Rocha NP, Teixeira AL, Furr Stimming E. Treatment of Depression in Huntington's Disease: A Systematic Review. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:appineuropsych20230120. [PMID: 38528808 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20230120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a common psychiatric disorder among individuals with Huntington's disease (HD). Depression in HD and major depressive disorder appear to have different pathophysiological mechanisms. Despite the unique pathophysiology, the treatment of depression in HD is based on data from the treatment of major depressive disorder in the general population. The objective of this systematic review was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the available evidence. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Studies on the treatment of depression in HD were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo. The initial search yielded 2,771 records, 41 of which were ultimately included. There were 19 case reports, seven case series, three cross-sectional studies, one qualitative study, nine nonrandomized studies, and two randomized trials among the included studies. The most common assessment tools were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (N=8), the Beck Depression Inventory (N=6), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (N=6). Only 59% of the included studies assessed depressive symptoms with a scoring system. The pharmacological options for the treatment of depression included antidepressants and antipsychotics. Nonpharmacological approaches were multidisciplinary rehabilitation, psychotherapy, and neurostimulation. Limited evidence on the treatment of depression in HD was available, and this literature consisted mainly of case reports and case series. This systematic review highlights the knowledge gap and the pressing need for HD-specific research to determine the efficacy of treatment approaches for depression in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Abdollah Zadegan
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
| | - Frank Ramirez
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
| | - Kirthan S Reddy
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
| | - Onur Sahin
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
| | - Natalia Pessoa Rocha
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
| | - Antonio L Teixeira
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
| | - Erin Furr Stimming
- Department of Neurology (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Furr Stimming) and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Teixeira), McGovern Medical School (Reddy, Sahin), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Zadegan, Ramirez, Rocha, Teixeira, Furr Stimming)
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3
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Malar DS, Thitilertdecha P, Ruckvongacheep KS, Brimson S, Tencomnao T, Brimson JM. Targeting Sigma Receptors for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:399-440. [PMID: 37166702 PMCID: PMC10173947 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The sigma-1 receptor is a 223 amino acid-long protein with a recently identified structure. The sigma-2 receptor is a genetically unrelated protein with a similarly shaped binding pocket and acts to influence cellular activities similar to the sigma-1 receptor. Both proteins are highly expressed in neuronal tissues. As such, they have become targets for treating neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Rett syndrome (RS), developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE), and motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS). In recent years, there have been many pre-clinical and clinical studies of sigma receptor (1 and 2) ligands for treating neurological disease. Drugs such as blarcamesine, dextromethorphan and pridopidine, which have sigma-1 receptor activity as part of their pharmacological profile, are effective in treating multiple aspects of several neurological diseases. Furthermore, several sigma-2 receptor ligands are under investigation, including CT1812, rivastigmine and SAS0132. This review aims to provide a current and up-to-date analysis of the current clinical and pre-clinical data of drugs with sigma receptor activities for treating neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dicson S Malar
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Premrutai Thitilertdecha
- Siriraj Research Group in Immunobiology and Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanokphorn S Ruckvongacheep
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirikalaya Brimson
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - James M Brimson
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Research, Innovation and International Affairs, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Room 409, ChulaPat-1 Building, 154 Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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4
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Pérez-Arancibia R, Cisternas-Olmedo M, Sepúlveda D, Troncoso-Escudero P, Vidal RL. Small molecules to perform big roles: The search for Parkinson's and Huntington's disease therapeutics. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1084493. [PMID: 36699535 PMCID: PMC9868863 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1084493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological motor disorders (NMDs) such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease are characterized by the accumulation and aggregation of misfolded proteins that trigger cell death of specific neuronal populations in the central nervous system. Differential neuronal loss initiates the impaired motor control and cognitive function in the affected patients. Although major advances have been carried out to understand the molecular basis of these diseases, to date there are no treatments that can prevent, cure, or significantly delay the progression of the disease. In this context, strategies such as gene editing, cellular therapy, among others, have gained attention as they effectively reduce the load of toxic protein aggregates in different models of neurodegeneration. Nevertheless, these strategies are expensive and difficult to deliver into the patients' nervous system. Thus, small molecules and natural products that reduce protein aggregation levels are highly sought after. Numerous drug discovery efforts have analyzed large libraries of synthetic compounds for the treatment of different NMDs, with a few candidates reaching clinical trials. Moreover, the recognition of new druggable targets for NMDs has allowed the discovery of new small molecules that have demonstrated their efficacy in pre-clinical studies. It is also important to recognize the contribution of natural products to the discovery of new candidates that can prevent or cure NMDs. Additionally, the repurposing of drugs for the treatment of NMDs has gained huge attention as they have already been through clinical trials confirming their safety in humans, which can accelerate the development of new treatment. In this review, we will focus on the new advances in the discovery of small molecules for the treatment of Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. We will begin by discussing the available pharmacological treatments to modulate the progression of neurodegeneration and to alleviate the motor symptoms in these diseases. Then, we will analyze those small molecules that have reached or are currently under clinical trials, including natural products and repurposed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Pérez-Arancibia
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marisol Cisternas-Olmedo
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Denisse Sepúlveda
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Troncoso-Escudero
- Molecular Diagnostic and Biomarkers Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rene L. Vidal
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
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5
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Wang SM, Wu HE, Yasui Y, Geva M, Hayden M, Maurice T, Cozzolino M, Su TP. Nucleoporin POM121 signals TFEB-mediated autophagy via activation of SIGMAR1/sigma-1 receptor chaperone by pridopidine. Autophagy 2023; 19:126-151. [PMID: 35507432 PMCID: PMC9809944 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2063003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is an essential process for cellular survival and is implicated in many diseases. A critical step in autophagy is the transport of the transcription factor TFEB from the cytosol into the nucleus, through the nuclear pore (NP) by KPNB1/importinβ1. In the C9orf72 subtype of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal lobar degeneration (ALS-FTD), the hexanucleotide (G4C2)RNA expansion (HRE) disrupts the nucleocytoplasmic transport of TFEB, compromising autophagy. Here we show that a molecular chaperone, the SIGMAR1/Sigma-1 receptor (sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1), facilitates TFEB transport into the nucleus by chaperoning the NP protein (i.e., nucleoporin) POM121 which recruits KPNB1. In NSC34 cells, HRE reduces TFEB transport by interfering with the association between SIGMAR1 and POM121, resulting in reduced nuclear levels of TFEB, KPNB1, and the autophagy marker LC3-II. Overexpression of SIGMAR1 or POM121, or treatment with the highly selective and potent SIGMAR1 agonist pridopidine, currently in phase 2/3 clinical trials for ALS and Huntington disease, rescues all of these deficits. Our results implicate nucleoporin POM121 not merely as a structural nucleoporin, but also as a chaperone-operated signaling molecule enabling TFEB-mediated autophagy. Our data suggest the use of SIGMAR1 agonists, such as pridopidine, for therapeutic development of diseases in which autophagy is impaired.Abbreviations: ALS-FTD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal dementiaC9ALS-FTD, C9orf72 subtype of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal dementiaCS, citrate synthaseER, endoplasmic reticulumGSS, glutathione synthetaseHRE, hexanucleotide repeat expansionHSPA5/BiP, heat shock protein 5LAMP1, lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1MAM, mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membraneMAP1LC3/LC3, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3NP, nuclear poreNSC34, mouse motor neuron-like hybrid cell lineNUPs, nucleoporinsPOM121, nuclear pore membrane protein 121SIGMAR1/Sigma-1R, sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1TFEB, transcription factor EBTMEM97/Sigma-2R, transmembrane protein 97.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Ming Wang
- Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland21224, USA
- China Medical University, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taiwan
- Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, No.91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung city, 404333, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, No.2, Yude Road, North District, Taichung city, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-En Wu
- Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland21224, USA
| | - Yuko Yasui
- Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland21224, USA
| | - Michal Geva
- Prilenia Therapeutics Development Ltd, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Michael Hayden
- Prilenia Therapeutics Development Ltd, Herzliya, Israel
- The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Mauro Cozzolino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Tsung-Ping Su
- Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland21224, USA
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6
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Ahamad S, Bhat SA. The Emerging Landscape of Small-Molecule Therapeutics for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15993-16032. [PMID: 36490325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT). The new insights into HD's cellular and molecular pathways have led to the identification of numerous potent small-molecule therapeutics for HD therapy. The field of HD-targeting small-molecule therapeutics is accelerating, and the approval of these therapeutics to combat HD may be expected in the near future. For instance, preclinical candidates such as naphthyridine-azaquinolone, AN1, AN2, CHDI-00484077, PRE084, EVP4593, and LOC14 have shown promise for further optimization to enter into HD clinical trials. This perspective aims to summarize the advent of small-molecule therapeutics at various stages of clinical development for HD therapy, emphasizing their structure and design, therapeutic effects, and specific mechanisms of action. Further, we have highlighted the key drivers involved in HD pathogenesis to provide insights into the basic principle for designing promising anti-HD therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh202002, India
| | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh202002, India
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7
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Palaiogeorgou AM, Papakonstantinou E, Golfinopoulou R, Sigala M, Mitsis T, Papageorgiou L, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Spandidos DA, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Recent approaches on Huntington's disease (Review). Biomed Rep 2022; 18:5. [PMID: 36544856 PMCID: PMC9756286 DOI: 10.3892/br.2022.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Patients of all ages can present with a dysfunction of the nervous system, which leads to the progressive loss of movement control and disabilities in speech, swallowing, communications, etc. The molecular basis of the disease is well-known, as HD is related to a mutated gene, a trinucleotide expansion, which encodes to the huntingtin protein. This protein is linked to neurogenesis and the loss of its function leads to neurodegenerative disorders. Although the genetic cause of the disorder has been known for decades, no effective treatment is yet available to prevent onset or to eliminate the progression of symptoms. Thus, the present review focused on the development of novel methods for the timely and accurate diagnosis of HD in an aim to aid the development of therapies which may reduce the severity of the symptoms and control their progression. The majority of the therapies include gene-silencing mechanisms of the mutated huntingtin gene aiming to suppress its expression, and the use of various substances as drugs with highly promising results. In the present review, the latest approaches on the diagnosis of HD are discussed along with the need for genetic counseling and an up-to-date presentation of the applied treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Marina Palaiogeorgou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Rebecca Golfinopoulou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Markezina Sigala
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece,Correspondence to: Dr Dimitrios Vlachakis, Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
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8
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Pellegrini M, Bergonzoni G, Perrone F, Squitieri F, Biagioli M. Current Diagnostic Methods and Non-Coding RNAs as Possible Biomarkers in Huntington's Disease. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:2017. [PMID: 36360254 PMCID: PMC9689996 DOI: 10.3390/genes13112017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether as a cause or a symptom, RNA transcription is recurrently altered in pathologic conditions. This is also true for non-coding RNAs, with regulatory functions in a variety of processes such as differentiation, cell identity and metabolism. In line with their increasingly recognized roles in cellular pathways, RNAs are also currently evaluated as possible disease biomarkers. They could be informative not only to follow disease progression and assess treatment efficacy in clinics, but also to aid in the development of new therapeutic approaches. This is especially important for neurological and genetic disorders, where the administration of appropriate treatment during the disease prodromal stage could significantly delay, if not halt, disease progression. In this review we focus on the current status of biomarkers in Huntington's Disease (HD), a fatal hereditary and degenerative disease condition. First, we revise the sources and type of wet biomarkers currently in use. Then, we explore the feasibility of different RNA types (miRNA, ncRNA, circRNA) as possible biomarker candidates, discussing potential advantages, disadvantages, sources of origin and the ongoing investigations on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Pellegrini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Guendalina Bergonzoni
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Federica Perrone
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza Research Hospital, Viale Cappuccini, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Squitieri
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza Research Hospital, Viale Cappuccini, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Marta Biagioli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
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9
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Lenoir S, Lahaye RA, Vitet H, Scaramuzzino C, Virlogeux A, Capellano L, Genoux A, Gershoni-Emek N, Geva M, Hayden MR, Saudou F. Pridopidine rescues BDNF/TrkB trafficking dynamics and synapse homeostasis in a Huntington disease brain-on-a-chip model. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105857. [PMID: 36075537 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by polyglutamine-encoding CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. HTT is involved in the axonal transport of vesicles containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In HD, diminished BDNF transport leads to reduced BDNF delivery to the striatum, contributing to striatal and cortical neuronal death. Pridopidine is a selective and potent sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist currently in clinical development for HD. The S1R is located at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria interface, where it regulates key cellular pathways commonly impaired in neurodegenerative diseases. We used a microfluidic device that reconstitutes the corticostriatal network, allowing the investigation of presynaptic dynamics, synaptic morphology and transmission, and postsynaptic signaling. Culturing primary neurons from the HD mouse model HdhCAG140/+ provides a "disease-on-a-chip" platform ideal for investigating pathogenic mechanisms and drug activity. Pridopidine rescued the trafficking of BDNF and TrkB resulting in an increased neurotrophin signaling at the synapse. This increased the capacity of HD neurons to release glutamate and restored homeostasis at the corticostriatal synapse. These data suggest that pridopidine enhances the availability of corticostriatal BDNF via S1R activation, leading to neuroprotective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lenoir
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Romane A Lahaye
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Hélène Vitet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Chiara Scaramuzzino
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Amandine Virlogeux
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Laetitia Capellano
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Aurélie Genoux
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Michael R Hayden
- Prilenia Therapeutics, Herzliya, Israel; The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Frédéric Saudou
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, GIN, Grenoble, France..
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10
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Ziaei A, Garcia-Miralles M, Radulescu CI, Sidik H, Silvin A, Bae HG, Bonnard C, Yusof NABM, Ferrari Bardile C, Tan LJ, Ng AYJ, Tohari S, Dehghani L, Henry L, Yeo XY, Lee S, Venkatesh B, Langley SR, Shaygannejad V, Reversade B, Jung S, Ginhoux F, Pouladi MA. Ermin deficiency leads to compromised myelin, inflammatory milieu, and susceptibility to demyelinating insult. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13064. [PMID: 35285112 PMCID: PMC9425013 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ermin is an actin-binding protein found almost exclusively in the central nervous system (CNS) as a component of myelin sheaths. Although Ermin has been predicted to play a role in the formation and stability of myelin sheaths, this has not been directly examined in vivo. Here, we show that Ermin is essential for myelin sheath integrity and normal saltatory conduction. Loss of Ermin in mice caused de-compacted and fragmented myelin sheaths and led to slower conduction along with progressive neurological deficits. RNA sequencing of the corpus callosum, the largest white matter structure in the CNS, pointed to inflammatory activation in aged Ermin-deficient mice, which was corroborated by increased levels of microgliosis and astrogliosis. The inflammatory milieu and myelin abnormalities were further associated with increased susceptibility to immune-mediated demyelination insult in Ermin knockout mice. Supporting a possible role of Ermin deficiency in inflammatory white matter disorders, a rare inactivating mutation in the ERMN gene was identified in multiple sclerosis patients. Our findings demonstrate a critical role for Ermin in maintaining myelin integrity. Given its near-exclusive expression in myelinating oligodendrocytes, Ermin deficiency represents a compelling "inside-out" model of inflammatory dysmyelination and may offer a new paradigm for the development of myelin stability-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Ziaei
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Carola I Radulescu
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Harwin Sidik
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aymeric Silvin
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han-Gyu Bae
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Carine Bonnard
- Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Medical Genetics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liang Juin Tan
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alvin Yu Jin Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sumanty Tohari
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Leila Dehghani
- Department of Neurology, Isfahan Neurosciences Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Lily Henry
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Yi Yeo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sejin Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Byrappa Venkatesh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sarah R Langley
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vahid Shaygannejad
- Department of Neurology, Isfahan Neurosciences Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Sangyong Jung
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.,Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Medical Genetics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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11
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Maity S, Komal P, Kumar V, Saxena A, Tungekar A, Chandrasekar V. Impact of ER Stress and ER-Mitochondrial Crosstalk in Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:780. [PMID: 35054963 PMCID: PMC8775980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded proteins is a common phenomenon of several neurodegenerative diseases. The misfolding of proteins due to abnormal polyglutamine (PolyQ) expansions are linked to the development of PolyQ diseases including Huntington's disease (HD). Though the genetic basis of PolyQ repeats in HD remains prominent, the primary molecular basis mediated by PolyQ toxicity remains elusive. Accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER or disruption of ER homeostasis causes ER stress and activates an evolutionarily conserved pathway called Unfolded protein response (UPR). Protein homeostasis disruption at organelle level involving UPR or ER stress response pathways are found to be linked to HD. Due to dynamic intricate connections between ER and mitochondria, proteins at ER-mitochondria contact sites (mitochondria associated ER membranes or MAMs) play a significant role in HD development. The current review aims at highlighting the most updated information about different UPR pathways and their involvement in HD disease progression. Moreover, the role of MAMs in HD progression has also been discussed. In the end, the review has focused on the therapeutic interventions responsible for ameliorating diseased states via modulating either ER stress response proteins or modulating the expression of ER-mitochondrial contact proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuvadeep Maity
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)-Pilani (Hyderabad Campus), Shameerpet-Mandal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India; (P.K.); (V.K.); (A.S.); (A.T.); (V.C.)
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12
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Quintero ME, Pontes JGDM, Tasic L. Metabolomics in degenerative brain diseases. Brain Res 2021; 1773:147704. [PMID: 34744014 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Among the most studied diseases that affect the central nervous system are Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases, but the lack of effective biomarkers, accurate diagnosis, and precise treatment for each of them is currently an issue. Due to the contribution of biomarkers in supporting diagnosis, many recent efforts have focused on their identification and validation at the beginning or during the progression of the mental illness. Metabolome reveals the metabolic processes that result from protein activities under the guided gene expression and environmental factors, either in healthy or pathological conditions. In this context, metabolomics has proven to be a valuable approach. Currently, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) are the most commonly used bioanalytical techniques for metabolomics. MS-assisted profiling is considered the most versatile technique, and the NMR is the most reproductive. However, each one of them has its drawbacks. In this review, we summarized several alterations in metabolites that have been reported for these three classic brain diseases using MS and NMR-based research, which might suggest some possible biomarkers to support the diagnosis and/or new targets for their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Escobar Quintero
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - João Guilherme de Moraes Pontes
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Ljubica Tasic
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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13
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Wilcox JM, Pfalzer AC, Tienda AA, Debbiche IF, Cox EC, Totten MS, Erikson KM, Harrison FE, Bowman AB. YAC128 mouse model of Huntington disease is protected against subtle chronic manganese (Mn)-induced behavioral and neuropathological changes. Neurotoxicology 2021; 87:94-105. [PMID: 34543681 PMCID: PMC8761387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient but excessive levels induce neurotoxic effects. Increasing evidence suggests a deficit of bioavailable Mn in Huntington disease (HD), an inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor and cognitive disturbances. Previous studies have shown rescue of some molecular HD phenotypes by acute Mn exposure. This study simultaneously examined the potential for chronic Mn exposure to attenuate HD behavioral phenotypes, and for the HD genotype to offer protection against detrimental effects of chronic Mn exposure. In two independent studies a chronic Mn exposure paradigm was implemented in the YAC128 mouse model of HD and behavior was assessed at several timepoints. Study 1 exposed WT and YAC128 mice to twice weekly subcutaneous injections of 0, 5, 15, or 50 mg/kg MnCl[2] tetrahydrate from 12 to 32 weeks of age. A promising protective effect against motor coordination decline in 5 mg/kg MnCl[2] tetrahydrate-treated YAC128 mice was detected. Study 2 thus exposed WT and YAC128 mice to either 0 or 5 mg/kg MnCl[2] tetrahydrate from 12 to 52 weeks of age (with a partial randomized treatment crossover at 31 weeks). The same protective effect was not observed under these conditions at higher statistical power. We report subtle toxicological changes in exploratory behavior and total activity induced by chronic Mn exposure in WT mice only, despite similar total increases in brain Mn in WT and YAC128 mice. Further, chronic Mn treatment resulted in a 10-12 % decrease in striatal NeuN positive cell density in WT mice but not YAC128 mice, despite vehicle cell counts already being reduced compared to WT mice as expected for the HD genotype. The subtle changes observed in specific outcome measures, but not others, following long-term low-level Mn exposure in WT mice delineate the neurobehavioral and neuropathological effects at the threshold of chronic Mn toxicity. We conclude that these chronic low-dose Mn exposures do not significantly rescue behavioral HD phenotypes, but YAC2128 mice are protected against the subtle Mn-induced behavioral changes and decreased striatal neuron density observed in Mn-exposed WT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordyn M Wilcox
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Anna C Pfalzer
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Adriana A Tienda
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Ines F Debbiche
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Ellen C Cox
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Melissa S Totten
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Keith M Erikson
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Fiona E Harrison
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Aaron B Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
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14
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C57BL/6 Background Attenuates mHTT Toxicity in the Striatum of YAC128 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312664. [PMID: 34884469 PMCID: PMC8657915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models are frequently used to study Huntington’s disease (HD). The onset and severity of neuronal and behavioral pathologies vary greatly between HD mouse models, which results from different huntingtin expression levels and different CAG repeat length. HD pathology appears to depend also on the strain background of mouse models. Thus, behavioral deficits of HD mice are more severe in the FVB than in the C57BL/6 background. Alterations in medium spiny neuron (MSN) morphology and function have been well documented in young YAC128 mice in the FVB background. Here, we tested the relevance of strain background for mutant huntingtin (mHTT) toxicity on the cellular level by investigating HD pathologies in YAC128 mice in the C57BL/6 background (YAC128/BL6). Morphology, spine density, synapse function and membrane properties were not or only subtly altered in MSNs of 12-month-old YAC128/BL6 mice. Despite the mild cellular phenotype, YAC128/BL6 mice showed deficits in motor performance. More pronounced alterations in MSN function were found in the HdhQ150 mouse model in the C57BL/6 background (HdhQ150/BL6). Consistent with the differences in HD pathology, the number of inclusion bodies was considerably lower in YAC128/BL6 mice than HdhQ150/BL6 mice. This study highlights the relevance of strain background for mHTT toxicity in HD mouse models.
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15
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Piechal A, Jakimiuk A, Mirowska-Guzel D. Sigma receptors and neurological disorders. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:1582-1594. [PMID: 34350561 PMCID: PMC8641430 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sigma receptors were identified relatively recently, and their presence has been confirmed in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. Changes in sigma receptor function or expression may be involved in neurological diseases, and thus sigma receptors represent a potential target for treating central nervous system disorders. Many substances that are ligands for sigma receptors are widely used in therapies for neurological disorders. In the present review, we discuss the roles of sigma receptors, especially in the central nervous system disorders, and related therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Piechal
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Jakimiuk
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Mirowska-Guzel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
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16
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Maurice T. Bi-phasic dose response in the preclinical and clinical developments of sigma-1 receptor ligands for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 16:373-389. [PMID: 33070647 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1838483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is attracting much attention for disease-modifying therapies in neurodegenerative diseases. It is a conserved protein, present in plasma and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and enriched in mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs). It modulates ER-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer and ER stress pathways. Mitochondrial and MAM dysfunctions contribute to neurodegenerative processes in diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Interestingly, the S1R can be activated by small druggable molecules and accumulating preclinical data suggest that S1R agonists are effective protectants in these neurodegenerative diseases.Area covered: In this review, we will present the data showing the high therapeutic potential of S1R drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on pridopidine as a potent and selective S1R agonist under clinical development. Of particular interest is the bi-phasic (bell-shaped) dose-response effect, representing a common feature of all S1R agonists and described in numerous preclinical models in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials.Expert opinion: S1R agonists modulate inter-organelles communication altered in neurodegenerative diseases and activate intracellular survival pathways. Research will continue growing in the future. The particular cellular nature of this chaperone protein must be better understood to facilitate the clinical developement of promising molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, UMR_S1198, Montpellier, France
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17
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Naia L, Ly P, Mota SI, Lopes C, Maranga C, Coelho P, Gershoni-Emek N, Ankarcrona M, Geva M, Hayden MR, Rego AC. The Sigma-1 Receptor Mediates Pridopidine Rescue of Mitochondrial Function in Huntington Disease Models. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1017-1038. [PMID: 33797036 PMCID: PMC8423985 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pridopidine is a selective Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist in clinical development for Huntington disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. S1R is a chaperone protein localized in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, a signaling platform that regulates Ca2+ signaling, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial fission. Here, we investigate the protective effects of pridopidine on various mitochondrial functions in human and mouse HD models. Pridopidine effects on mitochondrial dynamics were assessed in primary neurons from YAC128 HD mice expressing the mutant human HTT gene. We observe that pridopidine prevents the disruption of mitochondria-ER contact sites and improves the co-localization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and its chaperone S1R with mitochondria in YAC128 neurons, leading to increased mitochondrial activity, elongation, and motility. Increased mitochondrial respiration is also observed in YAC128 neurons and in pridopidine-treated HD human neural stem cells (hNSCs). ROS levels were assessed after oxidative insult or S1R knockdown in pridopidine-treated YAC128 neurons, HD hNSCs, and human HD lymphoblasts. All HD models show increased ROS levels and deficient antioxidant response, which are efficiently rescued with pridopidine. Importantly, pridopidine treatment before H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and S1R presence are required for HD cytoprotection. YAC128 mice treated at early/pre-symptomatic age with pridopidine show significant improvement in motor coordination, indicating a delay in symptom onset. Additionally, in vivo pridopidine treatment reduces mitochondrial ROS levels by normalizing mitochondrial complex activity. In conclusion, S1R-mediated enhancement of mitochondrial function contributes to the neuroprotective effects of pridopidine, providing insight into its mechanism of action and therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Naia
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip Ly
- The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sandra I Mota
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Lopes
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Maranga
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Coelho
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Maria Ankarcrona
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael R Hayden
- The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Prilenia Therapeutics LTD, Herzliya, Israel
| | - A Cristina Rego
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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18
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Naia L, Pinho CM, Dentoni G, Liu J, Leal NS, Ferreira DMS, Schreiner B, Filadi R, Fão L, Connolly NMC, Forsell P, Nordvall G, Shimozawa M, Greotti E, Basso E, Theurey P, Gioran A, Joselin A, Arsenian-Henriksson M, Nilsson P, Rego AC, Ruas JL, Park D, Bano D, Pizzo P, Prehn JHM, Ankarcrona M. Neuronal cell-based high-throughput screen for enhancers of mitochondrial function reveals luteolin as a modulator of mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum coupling. BMC Biol 2021; 19:57. [PMID: 33761951 PMCID: PMC7989211 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-00979-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common feature of aging, neurodegeneration, and metabolic diseases. Hence, mitotherapeutics may be valuable disease modifiers for a large number of conditions. In this study, we have set up a large-scale screening platform for mitochondrial-based modulators with promising therapeutic potential. RESULTS Using differentiated human neuroblastoma cells, we screened 1200 FDA-approved compounds and identified 61 molecules that significantly increased cellular ATP without any cytotoxic effect. Following dose response curve-dependent selection, we identified the flavonoid luteolin as a primary hit. Further validation in neuronal models indicated that luteolin increased mitochondrial respiration in primary neurons, despite not affecting mitochondrial mass, structure, or mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species. However, we found that luteolin increased contacts between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), contributing to increased mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) and Ca2+-dependent pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. This signaling pathway likely contributed to the observed effect of luteolin on enhanced mitochondrial complexes I and II activities. Importantly, we observed that increased mitochondrial functions were dependent on the activity of ER Ca2+-releasing channels inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) both in neurons and in isolated synaptosomes. Additionally, luteolin treatment improved mitochondrial and locomotory activities in primary neurons and Caenorhabditis elegans expressing an expanded polyglutamine tract of the huntingtin protein. CONCLUSION We provide a new screening platform for drug discovery validated in vitro and ex vivo. In addition, we describe a novel mechanism through which luteolin modulates mitochondrial activity in neuronal models with potential therapeutic validity for treatment of a variety of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Naia
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina M Pinho
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giacomo Dentoni
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jianping Liu
- Department of Medicine-Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nuno Santos Leal
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Duarte M S Ferreira
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bernadette Schreiner
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Riccardo Filadi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Lígia Fão
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Niamh M C Connolly
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Department of Physiology & Medical Physics Department, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Makoto Shimozawa
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisa Greotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Emy Basso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Pierre Theurey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Gioran
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Alvin Joselin
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Per Nilsson
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Cristina Rego
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge L Ruas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Park
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Daniele Bano
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Paola Pizzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Jochen H M Prehn
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Department of Physiology & Medical Physics Department, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maria Ankarcrona
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Pan L, Feigin A. Huntington's Disease: New Frontiers in Therapeutics. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2021; 21:10. [PMID: 33586075 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-021-01093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article describes and discusses new potential disease-modifying therapies for Huntington's disease that are currently in human clinical trials as well as promising new therapies in preclinical development. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple potential disease-modifying therapeutics for HD are in active development, including direct DNA/gene therapies, RNA modulation, and therapies targeted at aberrant downstream pathways. The etiology of Huntington's disease (HD) is well-known as an abnormally expanded trinucleotide repeat within the huntingtin gene. However, the pathogenesis downstream of the mutant huntingtin gene is complex, involving multiple toxic pathways, including abnormal protein fragmentation and neuroinflammation. The current treatment of HD focuses largely on symptomatic management. This article discusses new, potential disease-modifying therapies that are currently in human clinical trials and preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Pan
- Department of Neurology, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, NYU Langone Health, 222 East 41st Street - 13th Floor, New York, USA.
| | - Andrew Feigin
- Department of Neurology, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, NYU Langone Health, 222 East 41st Street - 13th Floor, New York, USA
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20
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Grachev ID, Meyer PM, Becker GA, Bronzel M, Marsteller D, Pastino G, Voges O, Rabinovich L, Knebel H, Zientek F, Rullmann M, Sattler B, Patt M, Gerhards T, Strauss M, Kluge A, Brust P, Savola JM, Gordon MF, Geva M, Hesse S, Barthel H, Hayden MR, Sabri O. Sigma-1 and dopamine D2/D3 receptor occupancy of pridopidine in healthy volunteers and patients with Huntington disease: a [ 18F] fluspidine and [ 18F] fallypride PET study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2020; 48:1103-1115. [PMID: 32995944 PMCID: PMC8041674 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-05030-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pridopidine is an investigational drug for Huntington disease (HD). Pridopidine was originally thought to act as a dopamine stabilizer. However, pridopidine shows highest affinity to the sigma-1 receptor (S1R) and enhances neuroprotection via the S1R in preclinical studies. Using [18F] fluspidine and [18F] fallypride PET, the purpose of this study was to assess in vivo target engagement/receptor occupancy of pridopidine to the S1R and dopamine D2/D3 receptor (D2/D3R) at clinical relevant doses in healthy volunteers (HVs) and as proof-of-concept in a small number of patients with HD. METHODS Using [18F] fluspidine PET (300 MBq, 0-90 min), 11 male HVs (pridopidine 0.5 to 90 mg; six dose groups) and three male patients with HD (pridopidine 90 mg) were investigated twice, without and 2 h after single dose of pridopidine. Using [18F] fallypride PET (200 MBq, 0-210 min), four male HVs were studied without and 2 h following pridopidine administration (90 mg). Receptor occupancy was analyzed by the Lassen plot. RESULTS S1R occupancy as function of pridopidine dose (or plasma concentration) in HVs could be described by a three-parameter Hill equation with a Hill coefficient larger than one. A high degree of S1R occupancy (87% to 91%) was found throughout the brain at pridopidine doses ranging from 22.5 to 90 mg. S1R occupancy was 43% at 1 mg pridopidine. In contrast, at 90 mg pridopidine, the D2/D3R occupancy was only minimal (~ 3%). CONCLUSIONS Our PET findings indicate that at clinically relevant single dose of 90 mg, pridopidine acts as a selective S1R ligand showing near to complete S1R occupancy with negligible occupancy of the D2/D3R. The dose S1R occupancy relationship suggests cooperative binding of pridopidine to the S1R. Our findings provide significant clarification about pridopidine's mechanism of action and support further use of the 45-mg twice-daily dose to achieve full and selective targeting of the S1R in future clinical trials of neurodegenerative disorders. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03019289 January 12, 2017; EUDRA-CT-Nr. 2016-001757-41.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor D Grachev
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Malvern, PA, 19355, USA.,Guide Pharmaceutical Consulting, LLC, Millstone, NJ, 08535, USA
| | - Philipp M Meyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg A Becker
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marcus Bronzel
- ABX-CRO Advanced Pharmaceutical Services Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Doug Marsteller
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Frazer, PA, 19355, USA
| | - Gina Pastino
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Frazer, PA, 19355, USA
| | - Ole Voges
- ABX-CRO Advanced Pharmaceutical Services Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Rabinovich
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Frazer, PA, 19355, USA
| | - Helena Knebel
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Frazer, PA, 19355, USA
| | - Franziska Zientek
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Rullmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bernhard Sattler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marianne Patt
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thilo Gerhards
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Strauss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Kluge
- ABX-CRO Advanced Pharmaceutical Services Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Brust
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Research Site Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juha-Matti Savola
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Frazer, PA, 19355, USA
| | - Mark F Gordon
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, Frazer, PA, 19355, USA
| | - Michal Geva
- Prilenia Therapeutics Development Ltd., Herzliya, Israel
| | - Swen Hesse
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henryk Barthel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Osama Sabri
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
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21
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Validation of behavioral phenotypes in the BACHD rat model. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112783. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Brimson JM, Brimson S, Chomchoei C, Tencomnao T. Using sigma-ligands as part of a multi-receptor approach to target diseases of the brain. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:1009-1028. [PMID: 32746649 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1805435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The sigma receptors are found abundantly in the central nervous system and are targets for the treatment of various diseases, including Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), depression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, for many of these diseases, other receptors and targets have been the focus of the most, such as acetylcholine esterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's and dopamine replacement in Parkinson's. The currently available drugs for these diseases have limited success resulting in the requirement of an alternative approach to their treatment. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss the potential role of the sigma receptors and their ligands as part of a multi receptor approach in the treatment of the diseases mentioned above. The literature reviewed was obtained through searches in databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus. EXPERT OPINION Given sigma receptor agonists provide neuroprotection along with other benefits such as potentiating the effects of other receptors, further development of multi-receptor targeting ligands, and or the development of multi-drug combinations to target multiple receptors may prove beneficial in the future treatment of degenerative diseases of the CNS, especially when coupled with better diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Michael Brimson
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirikalaya Brimson
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chanichon Chomchoei
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok, Thailand
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Gubert C, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. Why Woody got the blues: The neurobiology of depression in Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 142:104958. [PMID: 32526274 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an extraordinary disorder that usually strikes when individuals are in the prime of their lives, as was the case for the influential 20th century musician Woody Guthrie. HD demonstrates the exceptionally fine line between life and death in such 'genetic diseases', as the only difference between those who suffer horribly and die slowly of this disease is often just a handful of extra tandem repeats (beyond the normal polymorphic range) in a genome that constitutes over 3 billion paired nucleotides of DNA. Furthermore, HD presents as a complex and heterogenous combination of psychiatric, cognitive and motor symptoms, so can appear as an unholy trinity of 'three disorders in one'. The autosomal dominant nature of the disorder is also extremely challenging for affected families, as a 'flip of a coin' dictates which children inherit the mutation from their affected parent, and the gene-negative family members bear the burden of caring for the other half of the family that is affected. In this review, we will focus on one of the earliest, and most devastating, symptoms associated with HD, depression, which has been reported to affect approximately half of gene-positive HD family members. We will discuss the pathogenesis of HD, and depressive symptoms in particular, including molecular and cellular mechanisms, and potential genetic and environmental modifiers. This expanding understanding of HD pathogenesis may not only lead to novel therapeutic options for HD families, but may also provide insights into depression in the wider population, which has the greatest burden of disease of any disorder and an enormous unmet need for new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Gubert
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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24
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Laquinimod ameliorates secondary brain inflammation. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104675. [PMID: 31731041 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that a degenerative processes within the brain can trigger the formation of new, focal inflammatory lesions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Here, we used a novel pre-clinical MS animal model to test whether the amelioration of degenerative brain events reduces the secondary recruitment of peripheral immune cells and, in consequence, inflammatory lesion development. Neural degeneration was induced by a 3 weeks cuprizone intoxication period. To mitigate the cuprizone-induced pathology, animals were treated with Laquinimod (25 mg/kg) during the cuprizone-intoxication period. At the beginning of week 6, encephalitogenic T cell development in peripheral lymphoid organs was induced by the immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide (i.e., Cup/EAE). Demyelination, axonal injury and reactive gliosis were determined by immunohistochemistry. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was performed to analyze glia activation in vivo. Vehicle-treated cuprizone mice displayed extensive callosal demyelination, glia activation and enhanced TSPO-ligand binding. This cuprizone-induced pathology was profoundly ameliorated in mice treated with Laquinimod. In vehicle-treated Cup/EAE mice, the cuprizone-induced pathology triggered massive peripheral immune cell recruitment into the forebrain, evidenced by multifocal perivascular inflammation, glia activation and neuro-axonal injury. While anti myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide immune responses were comparable in vehicle- and Laquinimod-treated Cup/EAE mice, the cuprizone-triggered immune cell recruitment was ameliorated by the Laquinimod treatment. This study clearly illustrates that amelioration of a primary brain-intrinsic degenerative process secondary halts peripheral immune cell recruitment and, in consequence, inflammatory lesion development. These findings have important consequences for the interpretation of the results of clinical studies.
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Ryskamp DA, Korban S, Zhemkov V, Kraskovskaya N, Bezprozvanny I. Neuronal Sigma-1 Receptors: Signaling Functions and Protective Roles in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:862. [PMID: 31551669 PMCID: PMC6736580 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a multi-functional, ligand-operated protein situated in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and changes in its function and/or expression have been associated with various neurological disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's (AD) and Huntington's diseases (HD). S1R agonists are broadly neuroprotective and this is achieved through a diversity of S1R-mediated signaling functions that are generally pro-survival and anti-apoptotic; yet, relatively little is known regarding the exact mechanisms of receptor functioning at the molecular level. This review summarizes therapeutically relevant mechanisms by which S1R modulates neurophysiology and implements neuroprotective functions in neurodegenerative diseases. These mechanisms are diverse due to the fact that S1R can bind to and modulate a large range of client proteins, including many ion channels in both ER and plasma membranes. We summarize the effect of S1R on its interaction partners and consider some of the cell type- and disease-specific aspects of these actions. Besides direct protein interactions in the endoplasmic reticulum, S1R is likely to function at the cellular/interorganellar level by altering the activity of several plasmalemmal ion channels through control of trafficking, which may help to reduce excitotoxicity. Moreover, S1R is situated in lipid rafts where it binds cholesterol and regulates lipid and protein trafficking and calcium flux at the mitochondrial-associated membrane (MAM) domain. This may have important implications for MAM stability and function in neurodegenerative diseases as well as cellular bioenergetics. We also summarize the structural and biochemical features of S1R proposed to underlie its activity. In conclusion, S1R is incredibly versatile in its ability to foster neuronal homeostasis in the context of several neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Ryskamp
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Svetlana Korban
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir Zhemkov
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Nina Kraskovskaya
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya Bezprozvanny
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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26
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Johnston TH, Geva M, Steiner L, Orbach A, Papapetropoulos S, Savola JM, Reynolds IJ, Ravenscroft P, Hill M, Fox SH, Brotchie JM, Laufer R, Hayden MR. Pridopidine, a clinic-ready compound, reduces 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-induced dyskinesia in Parkinsonian macaques. Mov Disord 2019; 34:708-716. [PMID: 30575996 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pridopidine, in development for Huntington's disease, may modulate aberrant l-dopa-induced effects including l-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether pridopidine could reduce LID in the MPTP macaque model of Parkinson's disease and characterized the observed behavioral effects in terms of receptor occupancy. METHODS The pharmacokinetic profile and effects of pridopidine (15-30 mg/kg) on parkinsonism, dyskinesia, and quality of on-time, in combination with l-dopa, were assessed in MPTP macaques with LID. Pridopidine receptor occupancy was estimated using known in vitro binding affinities to σ1 and dopamine D2 receptors, in vivo PET imaging, and pharmacokinetic profiling across different species. RESULTS Pridopidine produced a dose-dependent reduction in dyskinesia (up to 71%, 30 mg/kg) and decreased the duration of on-time with disabling dyskinesia evoked by l-dopa by 37% (20 mg/kg) and 60% (30 mg/kg). Pridopidine did not compromise the anti-parkinsonian benefit of l-dopa. Plasma exposures following the ineffective dose (15 mg/kg) were associated with full σ1 occupancy (>80%), suggesting that σ1 engagement alone is unlikely to account for the antidyskinetic benefits of pridopidine. Exposures following effective doses (20-30 mg/kg), while providing full σ1 occupancy, provide only modest dopamine D2 occupancy (<40%). However, effective pridopidine doses clearly engage a range of receptors (including adrenergic-α2C , dopamine-D3 , and serotoninergic-5-HT1A sites) to a higher degree than D2 and might contribute to the antidyskinetic actions. CONCLUSIONS In MPTP macaques, pridopidine produced a significant decrease in LID without compromising the antiparkinsonian benefit of l-dopa. Although the actions of pridopidine were associated with full σ1 occupancy, effective exposures are more likely associated with occupancy of additional, non-sigma receptors. This complex pharmacology may underlie the effectiveness of pridopidine against LID. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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MESH Headings
- 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
- Animals
- Antiparkinson Agents/adverse effects
- Brain/diagnostic imaging
- Brain/metabolism
- Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/drug therapy
- Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/etiology
- Levodopa/adverse effects
- MPTP Poisoning/drug therapy
- Macaca fascicularis
- Movement/drug effects
- Parkinsonian Disorders/chemically induced
- Parkinsonian Disorders/drug therapy
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Positron-Emission Tomography
- Receptor, Muscarinic M2/metabolism
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A/metabolism
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D3/metabolism
- Receptors, Histamine H3/metabolism
- Receptors, sigma/metabolism
- Sigma-1 Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom H Johnston
- Atuka Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michal Geva
- Prilenia Therapeutics Development Ltd., Herzliya, Israel (formerly 4)
| | - Lilach Steiner
- Global Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Netanya, Israel
| | - Aric Orbach
- Global Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Netanya, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Paula Ravenscroft
- Atuka Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Hill
- Atuka Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan H Fox
- Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan M Brotchie
- Atuka Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ralph Laufer
- Lysogene S.A., Neuilly sur Seine, France (formerly 4)
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Prilenia Therapeutics Development Ltd., Herzliya, Israel (formerly 4)
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27
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Shacham T, Sharma N, Lederkremer GZ. Protein Misfolding and ER Stress in Huntington's Disease. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:20. [PMID: 31001537 PMCID: PMC6456712 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence in recent years indicates that protein misfolding and aggregation, leading to ER stress, are central factors of pathogenicity in neurodegenerative diseases. This is particularly true in Huntington's disease (HD), where in contrast with other disorders, the cause is monogenic. Mutant huntingtin interferes with many cellular processes, but the fact that modulation of ER stress and of the unfolded response pathways reduces the toxicity, places these mechanisms at the core and gives hope for potential therapeutic approaches. There is currently no effective treatment for HD and it has a fatal outcome a few years after the start of symptoms of cognitive and motor impairment. Here we will discuss recent findings that shed light on the mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation that give origin to ER stress in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on Huntington's disease, on the cellular response and on how to use this knowledge for possible therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talya Shacham
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gerardo Z Lederkremer
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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28
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Francardo V, Geva M, Bez F, Denis Q, Steiner L, Hayden MR, Cenci MA. Pridopidine Induces Functional Neurorestoration Via the Sigma-1 Receptor in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:465-479. [PMID: 30756361 PMCID: PMC6554374 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-00699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pridopidine is a small molecule in clinical development for the treatment of Huntington's disease. It was recently found to have high binding affinity to the sigma-1 receptor, a chaperone protein involved in cellular defense mechanisms and neuroplasticity. Here, we have evaluated the neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of pridopidine in a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion model of parkinsonism in mice. By 5 weeks of daily administration, a low dose of pridopidine (0.3 mg/kg) had significantly improved deficits in forelimb use (cylinder test, stepping test) and abolished the ipsilateral rotational bias typical of hemiparkinsonian animals. A higher dose of pridopidine (1 mg/kg) significantly improved only the rotational bias, with a trend towards improvement in forelimb use. The behavioral recovery induced by pridopidine 0.3 mg/kg was accompanied by a significant protection of nigral dopamine cell bodies, an increased dopaminergic fiber density in the striatum, and striatal upregulation of GDNF, BDNF, and phosphorylated ERK1/2. The beneficial effects of pridopidine 0.3 mg/kg were absent in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice lacking the sigma-1 receptor. Pharmacokinetic data confirmed that the effective dose of pridopidine reached brain concentrations sufficient to bind S1R. Our results are the first to show that pridopidine promotes functional neurorestoration in the damaged nigrostriatal system acting via the sigma-1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Francardo
- Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC F11, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Francesco Bez
- Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC F11, Lund, Sweden
| | - Quentin Denis
- Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC F11, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lilach Steiner
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Global Research and Development, Netanya, Israel
| | | | - M Angela Cenci
- Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC F11, Lund, Sweden.
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29
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Ryskamp D, Wu L, Wu J, Kim D, Rammes G, Geva M, Hayden M, Bezprozvanny I. Pridopidine stabilizes mushroom spines in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease by acting on the sigma-1 receptor. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 124:489-504. [PMID: 30594810 PMCID: PMC6363865 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) results from deficiencies in synaptic communication (e.g., loss of mushroom-shaped 'memory spines') and neurodegenerative processes. This might be treated with sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonists, which are broadly neuroprotective and modulate synaptic plasticity. For example, we previously found that the mixed muscarinic/S1R agonist AF710B prevents mushroom spine loss in hippocampal cultures from APP knock-in (APP-KI) and presenilin-1-M146 V knock-in (PS1-KI) mice. We also found that the "dopaminergic stabilizer" pridopidine (structurally similar to the S1R agonist R(+)-3-PPP), is a high-affinity S1R agonist and is synaptoprotective in a mouse model of Huntington disease. Here we tested whether pridopidine and R(+)-3-PPP are synaptoprotective in models of AD and whether this requires S1R. We also examined the effects of pridopidine on long-term potentiation (LTP), endoplasmic reticulum calcium and neuronal store-operated calcium entry (nSOC) in spines, all of which are dysregulated in AD, contributing to synaptic pathology. We report here that pridopidine and 3-PPP protect mushroom spines from Aβ42 oligomer toxicity in primary WT hippocampal cultures from mice. Pridopidine also reversed LTP defects in hippocampal slices resulting from application of Aβ42 oligomers. Pridopidine and 3-PPP rescued mushroom spines in hippocampal cultures from APP-KI and PS1-KI mice. S1R knockdown from lenti-viral shRNA expression destabilized WT mushroom spines and prevented the synaptoprotective effects of pridopidine in PS1-KI cultures. Knockout of PS1/2 destabilized mushroom spines and pridopidine was unable to prevent this. Pridopidine lowered endoplasmic reticulum calcium levels in WT, PS1-KO, PS1-KI and PS2 KO neurons, but not in PS1/2 KO neurons. S1R was required for pridopidine to enhance spine nSOC in PS1-KI neurons. Pridopidine was unable to rescue PS1-KI mushroom spines during pharmacological or genetic inhibition of nSOC. Oral pridopidine treatment rescued mushroom spines in vivo in aged PS1-KI-GFP mice. Pridopidine stabilizes mushroom spines in mouse models of AD and this requires S1R, endoplasmic reticulum calcium leakage through PS1/2 and nSOC. Thus, pridopidine may be useful to explore for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ryskamp
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lili Wu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Dabin Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Technische Universität München, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Gerhard Rammes
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Technische Universität München, Munich 81675, Germany.
| | | | | | - Ilya Bezprozvanny
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Paul BD, Snyder SH. Impaired Redox Signaling in Huntington's Disease: Therapeutic Implications. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:68. [PMID: 30941013 PMCID: PMC6433839 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease triggered by expansion of polyglutamine repeats in the protein huntingtin. Mutant huntingtin (mHtt) aggregates and elicits toxicity by multiple mechanisms which range from dysregulated transcription to disturbances in several metabolic pathways in both the brain and peripheral tissues. Hallmarks of HD include elevated oxidative stress and imbalanced redox signaling. Disruption of antioxidant defense mechanisms, involving antioxidant molecules and enzymes involved in scavenging or reversing oxidative damage, have been linked to the pathophysiology of HD. In addition, mitochondrial function is compromised in HD leading to impaired bioenergetics and elevated production of free radicals in cells. However, the exact mechanisms linking redox imbalance to neurodegeneration are still elusive. This review will focus on the current understanding of aberrant redox homeostasis in HD and potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu D. Paul
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Solomon H. Snyder
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Reilmann R, McGarry A, Grachev ID, Savola JM, Borowsky B, Eyal E, Gross N, Langbehn D, Schubert R, Wickenberg AT, Papapetropoulos S, Hayden M, Squitieri F, Kieburtz K, Landwehrmeyer GB. Safety and efficacy of pridopidine in patients with Huntington's disease (PRIDE-HD): a phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre, dose-ranging study. Lancet Neurol 2018; 18:165-176. [PMID: 30563778 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(18)30391-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous trials have shown that pridopidine might reduce motor impairment in patients with Huntington's disease. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether higher doses of pridopidine than previously tested reduce motor symptoms in a dose-dependent manner while maintaining acceptable safety and tolerability. METHODS PRIDE-HD was a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2, dose-ranging study in adults (aged ≥21 years) with Huntington's disease at outpatient clinics in 53 sites across 12 countries (Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA). Eligible patients had clinical onset after age 18 years, 36 or more cytosine-adenine-guanine repeats in the huntingtin gene, motor symptoms (Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale total motor score [UHDRS-TMS] ≥25 points), and reduced independence (UHDRS independence score ≤90%). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1) with centralised interactive-response technology to receive one of four doses of pridopidine (45, 67·5, 90, or 112·5 mg) or placebo orally twice a day for 52 weeks. Randomisation was stratified within centres by neuroleptic drug use. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in the UHDRS-TMS from baseline to 26 weeks, which was assessed in all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study drug and had at least one post-baseline efficacy assessment (full analysis set). Participants and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. This trial is registered with EudraCT (2013-001888-23) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02006472). FINDINGS Between Feb 13, 2014, and July 5, 2016, 408 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive placebo (n=82) or pridopidine 45 mg (n=81), 67·5 mg (n=82), 90 mg (n=81), or 112·5 mg (n=82) twice daily for 26 weeks. The full analysis set included 397 patients (81 in the placebo group, 75 in the 45 mg group, 79 in the 67·5 mg group, 81 in the 90 mg group, and 81 in the 112·5 mg group). Pridopidine did not significantly change the UHDRS-TMS at 26 weeks compared with placebo at any dose. The most frequent adverse events across all groups were diarrhoea, vomiting, nasopharyngitis, falls, headache, insomnia, and anxiety. The most common treatment-related adverse events were insomnia, diarrhoea, nausea, and dizziness. Serious adverse events occurred in the pridopidine groups only and were most frequently falls (n=5), suicide attempt (n=4), suicidal ideation (n=3), head injury (n=3), and aspiration pneumonia (n=3). No new safety or tolerability concerns emerged in this study. One death in the pridopidine 112·5 mg group due to aspiration pneumonia was considered to be possibly related to the study drug. INTERPRETATION Pridopidine did not improve the UHDRS-TMS at week 26 compared with placebo and, thus, the results of secondary or tertiary analyses in previous trials were not replicated. A potentially strong placebo effect needs to be ruled out in future studies. FUNDING Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Reilmann
- George Huntington Institute, Münster, Germany; Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andrew McGarry
- Movement Disorders Center, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eli Eyal
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | | | - Douglas Langbehn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ferdinando Squitieri
- Unita' Operativa Ricerca e Cura Huntington e Malattie Rare, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Karl Kieburtz
- Center for Health & Technology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Laquinimod Treatment Improves Myelination Deficits at the Transcriptional and Ultrastructural Levels in the YAC128 Mouse Model of Huntington Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:4464-4478. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1393-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Abstract
The 25 years since the identification of the gene responsible for Huntington disease (HD) have stood witness to profound discoveries about the nature of the disease and its pathogenesis. Despite this progress, however, the development of disease-modifying therapies has thus far been slow. Preclinical validation of the therapeutic potential of disrupted pathways in HD has led to the advancement of pharmacological agents, both novel and repurposed, for clinical evaluation. The most promising therapeutic approaches include huntingtin (HTT) lowering and modification as well as modulation of neuroinflammation and synaptic transmission. With clinical trials for many of these approaches imminent or currently ongoing, the coming years are promising not only for HD but also for more prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, in which many of these pathways have been similarly implicated.
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Kusko R, Dreymann J, Ross J, Cha Y, Escalante-Chong R, Garcia-Miralles M, Tan LJ, Burczynski ME, Zeskind B, Laifenfeld D, Pouladi M, Geva M, Grossman I, Hayden MR. Large-scale transcriptomic analysis reveals that pridopidine reverses aberrant gene expression and activates neuroprotective pathways in the YAC128 HD mouse. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:25. [PMID: 29783994 PMCID: PMC5963017 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0259-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington Disease (HD) is an incurable autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder driven by an expansion repeat giving rise to the mutant huntingtin protein (mHtt), which is known to disrupt a multitude of transcriptional pathways. Pridopidine, a small molecule in development for treatment of HD, has been shown to improve motor symptoms in HD patients. In HD animal models, pridopidine exerts neuroprotective effects and improves behavioral and motor functions. Pridopidine binds primarily to the sigma-1 receptor, (IC50 ~ 100 nM), which mediates its neuroprotective properties, such as rescue of spine density and aberrant calcium signaling in HD neuronal cultures. Pridopidine enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) secretion, which is blocked by putative sigma-1 receptor antagonist NE-100, and was shown to upregulate transcription of genes in the BDNF, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) pathways in the rat striatum. The impact of different doses of pridopidine on gene expression and transcript splicing in HD across relevant brain regions was explored, utilizing the YAC128 HD mouse model, which carries the entire human mHtt gene containing 128 CAG repeats. Methods RNAseq was analyzed from striatum, cortex, and hippocampus of wild-type and YAC128 mice treated with vehicle, 10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg pridopidine from the presymptomatic stage (1.5 months of age) until 11.5 months of age in which mice exhibit progressive disease phenotypes. Results The most pronounced transcriptional effect of pridopidine at both doses was observed in the striatum with minimal effects in other regions. In addition, for the first time pridopidine was found to have a dose-dependent impact on alternative exon and junction usage, a regulatory mechanism known to be impaired in HD. In the striatum of YAC128 HD mice, pridopidine treatment initiation prior to symptomatic manifestation rescues the impaired expression of the BDNF, GR, D1R and cAMP pathways. Conclusions Pridopidine has broad effects on restoring transcriptomic disturbances in the striatum, particularly involving synaptic transmission and activating neuroprotective pathways that are disturbed in HD. Benefits of treatment initiation at early disease stages track with trends observed in the clinic. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13024-018-0259-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Dreymann
- Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Netanya, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Liang Juin Tan
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | | | - Ben Zeskind
- Immuneering Corporation, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Daphna Laifenfeld
- Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Netanya, Israel
| | - Mahmoud Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Michal Geva
- Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Netanya, Israel
| | - Iris Grossman
- Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Netanya, Israel
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Research and Development, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Netanya, Israel. .,Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore. .,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
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Sahlholm K, Valle-León M, Fernández-Dueñas V, Ciruela F. Pridopidine Reverses Phencyclidine-Induced Memory Impairment. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:338. [PMID: 29692729 PMCID: PMC5902730 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pridopidine is in clinical trials for Huntington's disease treatment. Originally developed as a dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) ligand, pridopidine displays about 100-fold higher affinity for the sigma-1 receptor (sigma-1R). Interestingly, pridopidine slows disease progression and improves motor function in Huntington's disease model mice and, in preliminarily reports, Huntington's disease patients. The present study examined the anti-amnesic potential of pridopidine. Thus, memory impairment was produced in mice by administration of phencyclidine (PCP, 10 mg/kg/day) for 10 days, followed by 14 days' treatment with pridopidine (6 mg/kg/day), or saline. Finally, novel object recognition performance was assessed in the animals. Mice receiving PCP and saline exhibited deficits in novel object recognition, as expected, while pridopidine treatment counteracted PCP-induced memory impairment. The effect of pridopidine was attenuated by co-administration of the sigma receptor antagonist, NE-100 (10 mg/kg). Our results suggest that pridopidine exerts anti-amnesic and potentially neuroprotective actions. These data provide new insights into the therapeutic potential of pridopidine as a pro-cognitive drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Sahlholm
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL-Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marta Valle-León
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL-Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Fernández-Dueñas
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL-Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL-Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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