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Blume GR, Royes LFF. Peripheral to brain and hippocampus crosstalk induced by exercise mediates cognitive and structural hippocampal adaptations. Life Sci 2024; 352:122799. [PMID: 38852798 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Endurance exercise leads to robust increases in memory and learning. Several exercise adaptations occur to mediate these improvements, including in both the hippocampus and in peripheral organs. Organ crosstalk has been becoming increasingly more present in exercise biology, and studies have shown that peripheral organs can communicate to the hippocampus and mediate hippocampal changes. Both learning and memory as well as other hippocampal functional-related changes such as neurogenesis, cell proliferation, dendrite morphology and synaptic plasticity are controlled by these exercise responsive peripheral proteins. These peripheral factors, also called exerkines, are produced by several organs including skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue, kidneys, adrenal glands and circulatory cells. Previous reviews have explored some of these exerkines including muscle-derived irisin and cathepsin B (CTSB), but a full picture of peripheral to hippocampus crosstalk with novel exerkines such as selenoprotein 1 (SEPP1) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), or old overlooked ones such as lactate and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is still missing. We provide 29 different studies of 14 different exerkines that crosstalk with the hippocampus. Thus, the purpose of this review is to explore peripheral exerkines that have shown to exert hippocampal function following exercise, demonstrating their particular effects and molecular mechanisms in which they could be inducing adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz Fernando Freire Royes
- Center in Natural and Exact Sciences, Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Physical Education and Sports Center, Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory (BIOEX), Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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2
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Zhang B, Hu Y, Du H, Han S, Ren L, Cheng H, Wang Y, Gao X, Zheng S, Cui Q, Tian L, Liu T, Sun J, Chai R. Tissue engineering strategies for spiral ganglion neuron protection and regeneration. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:458. [PMID: 39085923 PMCID: PMC11293049 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02742-8] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cochlear implants can directly activate the auditory system's primary sensory neurons, the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), via circumvention of defective cochlear hair cells. This bypass restores auditory input to the brainstem. SGN loss etiologies are complex, with limited mammalian regeneration. Protecting and revitalizing SGN is critical. Tissue engineering offers a novel therapeutic strategy, utilizing seed cells, biomolecules, and scaffold materials to create a cellular environment and regulate molecular cues. This review encapsulates the spectrum of both human and animal research, collating the factors contributing to SGN loss, the latest advancements in the utilization of exogenous stem cells for auditory nerve repair and preservation, the taxonomy and mechanism of action of standard biomolecules, and the architectural components of scaffold materials tailored for the inner ear. Furthermore, we delineate the potential and benefits of the biohybrid neural interface, an incipient technology in the realm of implantable devices. Nonetheless, tissue engineering requires refined cell selection and differentiation protocols for consistent SGN quality. In addition, strategies to improve stem cell survival, scaffold biocompatibility, and molecular cue timing are essential for biohybrid neural interface integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yangnan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Haoliang Du
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Shanying Han
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lei Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yusong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Shasha Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Qingyue Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Lei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| | - Tingting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| | - Jiaqiang Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
| | - Renjie Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Public Health, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
- Department of Neurology, Aerospace Center Hospital, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.
- Southeast University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518063, China.
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3
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Santarpia G, Carnes E. Therapeutic Applications of Aptamers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6742. [PMID: 38928448 PMCID: PMC11204156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Affinity reagents, or target-binding molecules, are quite versatile and are major workhorses in molecular biology and medicine. Antibodies are the most famous and frequently used type and they have been used for a wide range of applications, including laboratory techniques, diagnostics, and therapeutics. However, antibodies are not the only available affinity reagents and they do have significant drawbacks, including laborious and costly production. Aptamers are one potential alternative that have a variety of unique advantages. They are single stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can be selected for binding to many targets including proteins, carbohydrates, and small molecules-for which antibodies typically have low affinity. There are also a variety of cost-effective methods for producing and modifying nucleic acids in vitro without cells, whereas antibodies typically require cells or even whole animals. While there are also significant drawbacks to using aptamers in therapeutic applications, including low in vivo stability, aptamers have had success in clinical trials for treating a variety of diseases and two aptamer-based drugs have gained FDA approval. Aptamer development is still ongoing, which could lead to additional applications of aptamer therapeutics, including antitoxins, and combinatorial approaches with nanoparticles and other nucleic acid therapeutics that could improve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Santarpia
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Eric Carnes
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Yang HS, Yau WYW, Carlyle BC, Trombetta BA, Zhang C, Shirzadi Z, Schultz AP, Pruzin JJ, Fitzpatrick CD, Kirn DR, Rabin JS, Buckley RF, Hohman TJ, Rentz DM, Tanzi RE, Johnson KA, Sperling RA, Arnold SE, Chhatwal JP. Plasma VEGFA and PGF impact longitudinal tau and cognition in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2024; 147:2158-2168. [PMID: 38315899 PMCID: PMC11146430 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Alterations in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways have been implicated as potential mechanisms. However, the specific impact of VEGF proteins in preclinical Alzheimer's disease and their relationships with other Alzheimer's disease and vascular pathologies during this critical early period remain to be elucidated. We included 317 older adults from the Harvard Aging Brain Study, a cohort of individuals who were cognitively unimpaired at baseline and followed longitudinally for up to 12 years. Baseline VEGF family protein levels (VEGFA, VEGFC, VEGFD, PGF and FLT1) were measured in fasting plasma using high-sensitivity immunoassays. Using linear mixed effects models, we examined the interactive effects of baseline plasma VEGF proteins and amyloid PET burden (Pittsburgh Compound-B) on longitudinal cognition (Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite-5). We further investigated if effects on cognition were mediated by early neocortical tau accumulation (flortaucipir PET burden in the inferior temporal cortex) or hippocampal atrophy. Lastly, we examined the impact of adjusting for baseline cardiovascular risk score or white matter hyperintensity volume. Baseline plasma VEGFA and PGF each showed a significant interaction with amyloid burden on prospective cognitive decline. Specifically, low VEGFA and high PGF were associated with greater cognitive decline in individuals with elevated amyloid, i.e. those on the Alzheimer's disease continuum. Concordantly, low VEGFA and high PGF were associated with accelerated longitudinal tau accumulation in those with elevated amyloid. Moderated mediation analyses confirmed that accelerated tau accumulation fully mediated the effects of low VEGFA and partially mediated (31%) the effects of high PGF on faster amyloid-related cognitive decline. The effects of VEGFA and PGF on tau and cognition remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk score or white matter hyperintensity volume. There were concordant but non-significant associations with longitudinal hippocampal atrophy. Together, our findings implicate low VEGFA and high PGF in accelerating early neocortical tau pathology and cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, our results underscore the potential of these minimally-invasive plasma biomarkers to inform the risk of Alzheimer's disease progression in the preclinical population. Importantly, VEGFA and PGF appear to capture distinct effects from vascular risks and cerebrovascular injury. This highlights their potential as new therapeutic targets, in combination with anti-amyloid and traditional vascular risk reduction therapies, to slow the trajectory of preclinical Alzheimer's disease and delay or prevent the onset of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Sik Yang
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wai-Ying Wendy Yau
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Becky C Carlyle
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Alzheimer’s Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Bianca A Trombetta
- Alzheimer’s Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Can Zhang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Alzheimer’s Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Zahra Shirzadi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aaron P Schultz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jeremy J Pruzin
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA
| | | | - Dylan R Kirn
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jennifer S Rabin
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation and Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Rachel F Buckley
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Timothy J Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Dorene M Rentz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Steven E Arnold
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Alzheimer’s Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jasmeer P Chhatwal
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Silva-Hucha S, Fernández de Sevilla ME, Humphreys KM, Benson FE, Franco JM, Pozo D, Pastor AM, Morcuende S. VEGF expression disparities in brainstem motor neurons of the SOD1 G93A ALS model: Correlations with neuronal vulnerability. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00340. [PMID: 38472048 PMCID: PMC11070718 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neuromuscular disease characterized by severe muscle weakness mainly due to degeneration and death of motor neurons. A peculiarity of the neurodegenerative processes is the variable susceptibility among distinct neuronal populations, exemplified by the contrasting resilience of motor neurons innervating the ocular motor system and the more vulnerable facial and hypoglossal motor neurons. The crucial role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a neuroprotective factor in the nervous system is well-established since a deficit of VEGF has been related to motoneuronal degeneration. In this study, we investigated the survival of ocular, facial, and hypoglossal motor neurons utilizing the murine SOD1G93A ALS model at various stages of the disease. Our primary objective was to determine whether the survival of the different brainstem motor neurons was linked to disparate VEGF expression levels in resilient and susceptible motor neurons throughout neurodegeneration. Our findings revealed a selective loss of motor neurons exclusively within the vulnerable nuclei. Furthermore, a significantly higher level of VEGF was detected in the more resistant motor neurons, the extraocular ones. We also examined whether TDP-43 dynamics in the brainstem motor neuron of SOD mice was altered. Our data suggests that the increased VEGF levels observed in extraocular motor neurons may potentially underlie their resistance during the neurodegenerative processes in ALS in a TDP-43-independent manner. Our work might help to better understand the underlying mechanisms of selective vulnerability of motor neurons in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Silva-Hucha
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Medawar Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Kirsty M Humphreys
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Fiona E Benson
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Jaime M Franco
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, Junta de Andalucía-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - David Pozo
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, Junta de Andalucía-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC, 41092, Seville, Spain; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Universidad de Sevilla Medical School, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain.
| | - Sara Morcuende
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain.
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Ceci C, Lacal PM, Barbaccia ML, Mercuri NB, Graziani G, Ledonne A. The VEGFs/VEGFRs system in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: Pathophysiological roles and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107101. [PMID: 38336311 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and in diseases associated to pathological vessel formation, play multifaceted functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to shaping brain development, by controlling cerebral vasculogenesis and regulating neurogenesis as well as astrocyte differentiation, the VEGFs/VEGFRs axis exerts essential functions in the adult brain both in physiological and pathological contexts. In this article, after describing the physiological VEGFs/VEGFRs functions in the CNS, we focus on the VEGFs/VEGFRs involvement in neurodegenerative diseases by reviewing the current literature on the rather complex VEGFs/VEGFRs contribution to the pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Thereafter, based on the outcome of VEGFs/VEGFRs targeting in animal models of AD and PD, we discuss the factual relevance of pharmacological VEGFs/VEGFRs modulation as a novel and potential disease-modifying approach for these neurodegenerative pathologies. Specific VEGFRs targeting, aimed at selective VEGFR-1 inhibition, while preserving VEGFR-2 signal transduction, appears as a promising strategy to hit the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology. Moreover, therapeutic VEGFs-based approaches can be proposed for PD treatment, with the aim of fine-tuning their brain levels to amplify neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects while limiting an excessive impact on vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ceci
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Barbaccia
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Neurology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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7
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Manso-Calderón R, Cacabelos-Pérez P, Sevillano-García MD, Herrero-Prieto ME, González-Sarmiento R. Analysis of endothelial gene polymorphisms in Spanish patients with vascular dementia and Alzheimer´s disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13441. [PMID: 37596325 PMCID: PMC10439194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence for the involvement of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer´s disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the role of endothelial function-related genes in these disorders remains unclear. We evaluated the association of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (VEGF, VEGFR2 and NOS3) with diagnosis and rate of cognitive decline in AD and VaD in a Spanish case-control cohort (150 VaD, 147 AD and 150 controls). Participants carrying -604AA genotype in VEGFR2 (rs2071559) were less susceptible to VaD after multiple testing. Further analysis for VaD subtype revealed a significant difference between small-vessel VaD patients and controls, but not for large-vessel VaD patients. In addition, -2578A and -460C alleles in VEGF (rs699947 and rs833061) showed to decrease the risk of AD, whereas NOS3 (rs1799983) influenced disease progression. Our study supports previous findings of a deleterious effect of VEGFR2 reduced expression on small-vessel disease, but not on large-vessel disease; as well as a detrimental effect of down-regulating VEGF and eNOS in AD, affecting vascular permeability and neuronal survival. These data highlight the relevance of endothelial function and, therefore, BBB in both VaD and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Manso-Calderón
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca (CAUSA), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Complejo Asistencial de Ávila, Ávila, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Purificación Cacabelos-Pérez
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca (CAUSA), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), A Coruña, Spain
| | - M Dolores Sevillano-García
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca (CAUSA), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M Elisa Herrero-Prieto
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Complejo Asistencial de Ávila, Ávila, Spain
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital El Bierzo de Ponferrada, León, Spain
| | - Rogelio González-Sarmiento
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Molecular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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8
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Farfara D, Sooliman M, Avrahami L, Royal TG, Amram S, Rozenstein-Tsalkovich L, Trudler D, Blanga-Kanfi S, Eldar-Finkelman H, Pahnke J, Rosenmann H, Frenkel D. Physiological expression of mutated TAU impaired astrocyte activity and exacerbates β-amyloid pathology in 5xFAD mice. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:174. [PMID: 37496076 PMCID: PMC10369740 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02823-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the world. The pathology of AD is affiliated with the elevation of both tau (τ) and β-amyloid (Aβ) pathologies. Yet, the direct link between natural τ expression on glia cell activity and Aβ remains unclear. While experiments in mouse models suggest that an increase in Aβ exacerbates τ pathology when expressed under a neuronal promoter, brain pathology from AD patients suggests an appearance of τ pathology in regions without Aβ. METHODS Here, we aimed to assess the link between τ and Aβ using a new mouse model that was generated by crossing a mouse model that expresses two human mutations of the human MAPT under a mouse Tau natural promoter with 5xFAD mice that express human mutated APP and PS1 in neurons. RESULTS The new mouse model, called 5xFAD TAU, shows accelerated cognitive impairment at 2 months of age, increased number of Aβ depositions at 4 months and neuritic plaques at 6 months of age. An expression of human mutated TAU in astrocytes leads to a dystrophic appearance and reduces their ability to engulf Aβ, which leads to an increased brain Aβ load. Astrocytes expressing mutated human TAU showed an impairment in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that has previously been suggested to play an important role in supporting neurons. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest the role of τ in exacerbating Aβ pathology in addition to pointing out the potential role of astrocytes in disease progression. Further research of the crosstalk between τ and Aβ in astrocytes may increase our understanding of the role glia cells have in the pathology of AD with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic interventions to an otherwise currently incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Farfara
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Meital Sooliman
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Limor Avrahami
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tabitha Grace Royal
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shoshik Amram
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lea Rozenstein-Tsalkovich
- Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dorit Trudler
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shani Blanga-Kanfi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hagit Eldar-Finkelman
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Section of Neuropathology, Translational Neurodegeneration Research and Neuropathology Lab, Department of Pathology, University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Oslo, Norway.
- Drug Development and Chemical Biology, Lübeck Institute of Dermatology (LIED), University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein (UKSH), LIED, Lübeck, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
| | - Hanna Rosenmann
- Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Dan Frenkel
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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9
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Neurotrophic Factors as Regenerative Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Status, Challenges and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043866. [PMID: 36835277 PMCID: PMC9968045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by acute or chronic progressive loss of one or several neuronal subtypes. However, despite their increasing prevalence, little progress has been made in successfully treating these diseases. Research has recently focused on neurotrophic factors (NTFs) as potential regenerative therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge, challenges, and future perspectives of NTFs with a direct regenerative effect in chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorders. Various systems for delivery of NTFs, such as stem and immune cells, viral vectors, and biomaterials, have been applied to deliver exogenous NTFs to the central nervous system, with promising results. The challenges that currently need to be overcome include the amount of NTFs delivered, the invasiveness of the delivery route, the blood-brain barrier permeability, and the occurrence of side effects. Nevertheless, it is important to continue research and develop standards for clinical applications. In addition to the use of single NTFs, the complexity of chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases may require combination therapies targeting multiple pathways or other possibilities using smaller molecules, such as NTF mimetics, for effective treatment.
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Zhang Y, Neng L, Sharma K, Hou Z, Johnson A, Song J, Dabdoub A, Shi X. Pericytes control vascular stability and auditory spiral ganglion neuron survival. eLife 2023; 12:e83486. [PMID: 36719173 PMCID: PMC9940910 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The inner ear has a rich population of pericytes, a multi-functional mural cell essential for sensory hair cell heath and normal hearing. However, the mechanics of how pericytes contribute to the homeostasis of the auditory vascular-neuronal complex in the spiral ganglion are not yet known. In this study, using an inducible and conditional pericyte depletion mouse (PDGFRB-CreERT2; ROSA26iDTR) model, we demonstrate, for the first time, that pericyte depletion causes loss of vascular volume and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and adversely affects hearing sensitivity. Using an in vitro trans-well co-culture system, we show pericytes markedly promote neurite and vascular branch growth in neonatal SGN explants and adult SGNs. The pericyte-controlled neural growth is strongly mediated by pericyte-released exosomes containing vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Treatment of neonatal SGN explants or adult SGNs with pericyte-derived exosomes significantly enhances angiogenesis, SGN survival, and neurite growth, all of which were inhibited by a selective blocker of VEGF receptor 2 (Flk1). Our study demonstrates that pericytes in the adult ear are critical for vascular stability and SGN health. Cross-talk between pericytes and SGNs via exosomes is essential for neuronal and vascular health and normal hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpei Zhang
- Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Lingling Neng
- Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Kushal Sharma
- Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Zhiqiang Hou
- Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Anatasiya Johnson
- Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Junha Song
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Alain Dabdoub
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoCanada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Xiaorui Shi
- Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
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11
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In Silico Drug Repurposing in Multiple Sclerosis Using scRNA-Seq Data. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020985. [PMID: 36674506 PMCID: PMC9864606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system still lacking a cure. Treatment typically focuses on slowing the progression and managing MS symptoms. Single-cell transcriptomics allows the investigation of the immune system-the key player in MS onset and development-in great detail increasing our understanding of MS mechanisms and stimulating the discovery of the targets for potential therapies. Still, de novo drug development takes decades; however, this can be reduced by drug repositioning. A promising approach is to select potential drugs based on activated or inhibited genes and pathways. In this study, we explored the public single-cell RNA data from an experiment with six patients on single-cell RNA peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cerebrospinal fluid cells (CSF) of patients with MS and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. We demonstrate that AIM2 inflammasome, SMAD2/3 signaling, and complement activation pathways are activated in MS in different CSF and PBMC immune cells. Using genes from top-activated pathways, we detected several promising small molecules to reverse MS immune cells' transcriptomic signatures, including AG14361, FGIN-1-27, CA-074, ARP 101, Flunisolide, and JAK3 Inhibitor VI. Among these molecules, we also detected an FDA-approved MS drug Mitoxantrone, supporting the reliability of our approach.
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12
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Zochodne DW. Growth factors and molecular-driven plasticity in neurological systems. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 196:569-598. [PMID: 37620091 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98817-9.00017-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
It has been almost 70 years since the discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF), a period of a dramatic evolution in our understanding of dynamic growth, regeneration, and rewiring of the nervous system. In 1953, the extraordinary finding that a protein found in mouse submandibular glands generated a halo of outgrowing axons has now redefined our concept of the nervous system connectome. Central and peripheral neurons and their axons or dendrites are no longer considered fixed or static "wiring." Exploiting this molecular-driven plasticity as a therapeutic approach has arrived in the clinic with a slate of new trials and ideas. Neural growth factors (GFs), soluble proteins that alter the behavior of neurons, have expanded in numbers and our understanding of the complexity of their signaling and interactions with other proteins has intensified. However, beyond these "extrinsic" determinants of neuron growth and function are the downstream pathways that impact neurons, ripe for translational development and potentially more important than individual growth factors that may trigger them. Persistent and ongoing nuances in clinical trial design in some of the most intractable and irreversible neurological conditions give hope for connecting new biological ideas with clinical benefits. This review is a targeted update on neural GFs, their signals, and new therapeutic ideas, selected from an expansive literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas W Zochodne
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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13
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Morelli KH, Wu Q, Gosztyla ML, Liu H, Yao M, Zhang C, Chen J, Marina RJ, Lee K, Jones KL, Huang MY, Li A, Smith-Geater C, Thompson LM, Duan W, Yeo GW. An RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13d system alleviates disease-related phenotypes in Huntington's disease models. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:27-38. [PMID: 36510111 PMCID: PMC9829537 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01207-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG trinucleotide expansion in exon 1 of the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Since the reduction of pathogenic mutant HTT messenger RNA is therapeutic, we developed a mutant allele-sensitive CAGEX RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13d system (Cas13d-CAGEX) that eliminates toxic CAGEX RNA in fibroblasts derived from patients with HD and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. We show that intrastriatal delivery of Cas13d-CAGEX via an adeno-associated viral vector selectively reduces mutant HTT mRNA and protein levels in the striatum of heterozygous zQ175 mice, a model of HD. This also led to improved motor coordination, attenuated striatal atrophy and reduction of mutant HTT protein aggregates. These phenotypic improvements lasted for at least eight months without adverse effects and with minimal off-target transcriptomic effects. Taken together, we demonstrate proof of principle of an RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13d system as a therapeutic approach for HD, a strategy with implications for the treatment of other dominantly inherited disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn H Morelli
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Qian Wu
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Maya L Gosztyla
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hongshuai Liu
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Minmin Yao
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chuangchuang Zhang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiaxu Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ryan J Marina
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kari Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Krysten L Jones
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Megan Y Huang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Allison Li
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Charlene Smith-Geater
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wenzhen Duan
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- The Solomon H Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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14
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Henneghan AM, Fico BG, Wright ML, Kesler SR, Harrison ML. Effects of meditation compared to music listening on biomarkers in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints: secondary outcomes of a pilot randomized control trial. Explore (NY) 2022; 18:657-662. [PMID: 34802955 PMCID: PMC9085959 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT We previously reported positive behavioral effects of both daily mantra meditation and classical music listening interventions in breast cancer survivors with cancer related cognitive complaints. OBJECTIVE The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effects of the meditation intervention to a music listening intervention on biomarkers of inflammation and cellular aging (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors. DESIGN Randomized control trial, baseline data collection (time 1), post intervention data collection (time 2) SETTING: Community-based, Central Texas PARTICIPANTS: 25 breast cancer survivors (BCS) who were 3 months to 6 years post chemotherapy completion and reported cognitive changes. INTERVENTION(S) Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) or classical music listening (ML), 8 weeks, 12 min a day MAIN OUTCOME: Telomerase activity [TA], c-reactive protein [CRP], soluble IL-2 receptor alpha [sIL-2Rα], soluble IL-4 receptor [sIL-4R], soluble IL-6 receptor [sIL-6R], soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II [sTNF-RII], VEGF receptor 2 [sVEGF-R2], and VEGF receptor 3 [sVEGF-R3] RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance models were analyzed from time 1 to time 2 by group for each biomarker. A pattern of greater telomerase activity across time in both groups (F (1,15) = 3.98, p = .06, ω2 = 0.04); significant decreases in sIL-4R across time for both groups (F (1,22) = 6.28, p = .02, ω2 = .003); group*time effect was nominally different but not statistically different for sIL-4R (F(1,22) = 3.82, p = .06, ω2 = .001); and a pattern for a group*time effect with ML group showing higher levels of sVEGF-R3 at time 2 (F (1,20) = 2.59, p = .12, ω2 = .009). No significant effects were found for CRP, sIL-2Rα, sIL-6R, sTNF-RII, or sVEGF-R2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Henneghan
- The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing. 1710 Red River St., Austin, TX 78712, United States; The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Oncology, 1601 Trinity St., Austin, TX 78712, United States.
| | - Brandon G Fico
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, 2109, San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Michelle L Wright
- The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing. 1710 Red River St., Austin, TX 78712, United States; The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School, Department of Women's Health, 1601, Trinity St., Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Shelli R Kesler
- The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing. 1710 Red River St., Austin, TX 78712, United States; The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Oncology, 1601 Trinity St., Austin, TX 78712, United States; The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Diagnostic Medicine, 1601 Trinity St., Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Michelle L Harrison
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, 2109, San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78712, United States
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15
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Santos-Lima B, Pietronigro EC, Terrabuio E, Zenaro E, Constantin G. The role of neutrophils in the dysfunction of central nervous system barriers. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:965169. [PMID: 36034148 PMCID: PMC9404376 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.965169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte migration into the central nervous system (CNS) represents a central process in the development of neurological diseases with a detrimental inflammatory component. Infiltrating neutrophils have been detected inside the brain of patients with several neuroinflammatory disorders, including stroke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. During inflammatory responses, these highly reactive innate immune cells can rapidly extravasate and release a plethora of pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic factors, potentially inducing significant collateral tissue damage. Indeed, several studies have shown that neutrophils promote blood-brain barrier damage and increased vascular permeability during neuroinflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that neutrophils migrate into the meninges and choroid plexus, suggesting these cells can also damage the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). In this review, we discuss the emerging role of neutrophils in the dysfunction of brain barriers across different neuroinflammatory conditions and describe the molecular basis and cellular interplays involved in neutrophil-mediated injury of the CNS borders.
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16
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Saoud H, Aflouk Y, Ben Afia A, Gaha L, Bel Hadj Jrad B. Association of VEGF-A and KDR polymorphisms with the development of schizophrenia. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:528-537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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17
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Rampino A, Annese T, Torretta S, Tamma R, Maria Falcone R, Ribatti D. Involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor in schizophrenia. Neurosci Lett 2021; 760:136093. [PMID: 34216717 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136093] [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: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which acts as an angiogenic and neurotrophic factor, is involved the regulation of cerebral blood volume and flow in Schizophrenia (SCZ). Several evidence indicates that modification of brain blood circulation due to alterations in the VEGF system affects cognitive performance and brain function in patients with SCZ. The aim of this study is: 1) To analyze the literature data concerning the role of VEGF in modulating the angiogenic response in SCZ. These data are controversial because some studies found elevated VEGF serum levels of VEGF in patients with SCZ, whereas others demonstrated no significant differences between SCZ patients and controls. 2)To analyze the role of VEGF as a predictive factor on the effects of antipsychotics agents used in the treatment of SCZ. In this context, high VEGF levels, associated to better responses to antipsychotics, might be predictive of the use of first generation antipsycotic drugs, whereas low VEGF levels, expression of resistance to therapy, might be predictive for the use of second generation antipsycotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rampino
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Annese
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Torretta
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Falcone
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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18
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Jones I, Hägglund AC, Carlsson L. Reduced mTORC1-signaling in retinal ganglion cells leads to vascular retinopathy. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:321-335. [PMID: 34148274 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coordinated wiring of neurons, glia and endothelial cells into neurovascular units is critical for central nervous system development. This is best exemplified in the mammalian retina where interneurons, astrocytes and retinal ganglion cells sculpt their vascular environment to meet the metabolic demands of visual function. Identifying the molecular networks that underlie neurovascular unit formation is an important step towards a deeper understanding of nervous system development and function. RESULTS Here, we report that cell-to-cell mTORC1-signaling is essential for neurovascular unit formation during mouse retinal development. Using a conditional knockout approach we demonstrate that reduced mTORC1 activity in asymmetrically positioned retinal ganglion cells induces a delay in postnatal vascular network formation in addition to the production of rudimentary and tortuous vessel networks in adult animals. The severity of this vascular phenotype is directly correlated to the degree of mTORC1 down regulation within the neighboring retinal ganglion cell population. CONCLUSIONS This study establishes a cell nonautonomous role for mTORC1-signaling during retinal development. These findings contribute to our current understanding of neurovascular unit formation and demonstrate how ganglion cells actively sculpt their local environment to ensure that the retina is perfused with an appropriate supply of oxygen and nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwan Jones
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine (UCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Leif Carlsson
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine (UCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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19
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Aum S, Choe S, Cai M, Jerng UM, Lee JH. Moxibustion for cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Integr Med Res 2021; 10:100680. [PMID: 33747784 PMCID: PMC7972968 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2020.100680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is an age-dependent chronic disorder that exponentially worsens with age; however, its treatment is mostly symptomatic. Moxibustion is widely accepted in East Asia as a treatment for cognitive impairment. This systematic review aimed to verify the efficacy and underlying mechanism of moxibustion in treating cognitive impairment. METHODS Sixteen trials involving 324 animals obtained from MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane library, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang, Cqvip, the Korean Studies Information Service System, and the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System met the inclusion criteria. We extracted the results of behavioral tests and immunohistochemical biomarkers from the included articles and evaluated the risk of bias and reporting quality. RESULTS The moxibustion group showed significantly decreased escape latency, increased crossing times, and prolonged dwelling times in the Morris water maze test. There was a significantly enhanced latency period and reduced error time in the step-down test and nerve behavior score. The effects of moxibustion were found to be mediated by suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis, modulation of inflammation and Aβ genesis activation of vascular endothelial growth factor, and adjustment of metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolism. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion on cognitive impairment and suggested the putative mechanism. However, considering the small number of included studies, high bias risk, low reporting quality, and the limitations of animal experimentation, our results need to be confirmed by more detailed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungmin Aum
- University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Choe
- Seoul National University Biomedical Informatics (SNUBI), Division of Biomedical Informatics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mudan Cai
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ui Min Jerng
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hwan Lee
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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20
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Morita A, Yoshizumi M, Arima S, Mori A, Sakamoto K, Nagamitsu T, Nakahara T. Pharmacological depletion of retinal neurons prevents vertical angiogenic sprouting without affecting the superficial vascular plexus. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:497-512. [PMID: 33085163 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In mice, a tri-layered (superficial, intermediate, and deep) vascular structure is formed in the retina during the third postnatal week. Short-term treatment of newborn mice with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor inhibitors delays the formation of superficial vascular plexus and this allows us to investigate the developmental process of superficial and deep vascular plexuses at the same time. Using this model, we examined the effect of pharmacological depletion of retinal neurons on the formation of superficial and deep vascular plexuses. RESULTS Neuronal cell loss induced by an intravitreal injection of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid on postnatal day (P) 8 delayed vascular development in the deep layer but not in the superficial layer in mice treated with KRN633, a VEGF receptor inhibitor, on P0 and P1. In KRN633-treated mice, neuronal cell loss decreased the number of vertical sprouts originating from the superficial plexus without affecting the number of angiogenic sprouts growing in front. Neuronal cell loss did not impair networks of fibronectin and astrocytes in the superficial layer. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that inner retinal neurons play a crucial role in forming the deep vascular plexus by directing the sprouts from the superficial blood vessels to the deep layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akane Morita
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Yoshizumi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Arima
- Department of Organic Synthesis, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Asami Mori
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakamoto
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Nagamitsu
- Department of Organic Synthesis, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nakahara
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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The Role of VEGF Receptors as Molecular Target in Nuclear Medicine for Cancer Diagnosis and Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051072. [PMID: 33802353 PMCID: PMC7959315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods of the cancer treatment causes that these diseases are becoming better known and the fight against them is more and more effective. Substantial contribution in this development has nuclear medicine that enables very early cancer diagnosis and early start of the so-called targeted therapy. This therapeutic concept compared to the currently used chemotherapy, causes much fewer undesirable side effects, due to targeting a specific lesion in the body. This review article discusses the possible applications of radionuclide-labelled tracers (peptides, antibodies or synthetic organic molecules) that can visualise cancer cells through pathological blood vessel system in close tumour microenvironment. Hence, at a very early step of oncological disease, targeted therapy can involve in tumour formation and growth. Abstract One approach to anticancer treatment is targeted anti-angiogenic therapy (AAT) based on prevention of blood vessel formation around the developing cancer cells. It is known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) play a pivotal role in angiogenesis process; hence, application of angiogenesis inhibitors can be an effective approach in anticancer combination therapeutic strategies. Currently, several types of molecules have been utilised in targeted VEGF/VEGFR anticancer therapy, including human VEGF ligands themselves and their derivatives, anti-VEGF or anti-VEGFR monoclonal antibodies, VEGF binding peptides and small molecular inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinases. These molecules labelled with diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides can become, respectively, diagnostic or therapeutic receptor radiopharmaceuticals. In targeted anti-angiogenic therapy, diagnostic radioagents play a unique role, allowing the determination of the emerging tumour, to monitor the course of treatment, to predict the treatment outcomes and, first of all, to refer patients for AAT. This review provides an overview of design, synthesis and study of radiolabelled VEGF/VEGFR targeting and imaging agents to date. Additionally, we will briefly discuss their physicochemical properties and possible application in combination targeted radionuclide tumour therapy.
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22
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Shen J, Wang Y, Yao K. Protection of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma: Current status and future. Exp Eye Res 2021; 205:108506. [PMID: 33609512 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108506] [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: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neuropathic disease that causes optic nerve damage, loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and visual field defects. Most glaucoma patients have no early signs or symptoms. Conventional pharmacological glaucoma medications and surgeries that focus on lowering intraocular pressure are not sufficient; RGCs continue to die, and the patient's vision continues to decline. Recent evidence has demonstrated that neuroprotective approaches could be a promising strategy for protecting against glaucoma. In the case of glaucoma, neuroprotection aims to prevent or slow down disease progression by mitigating RGCs death and optic nerve degeneration. Notably, new pharmacologic medications such as antiglaucomatous agents, antibiotics, dietary supplementation, novel neuroprotective molecules, neurotrophic factors, translational methods such as gene therapy and cell therapy, and electrical stimulation-based physiotherapy are emerging to attenuate the death of RGCs, or to make RGCs resilient to attacks. Understanding the roles of these interventions in RGC protection may offer benefits over traditional pharmacological medications and surgeries. In this review, we summarize the recent neuroprotective strategy for glaucoma, both in clinical trials and in laboratory research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Shen
- Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China; Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Yuanqi Wang
- Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China; Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China; Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.
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23
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Eskandarpour M, Nunn MA, Weston-Davies W, Calder VL. Immune-Mediated Retinal Vasculitis in Posterior Uveitis and Experimental Models: The Leukotriene (LT)B4-VEGF Axis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020396. [PMID: 33671954 PMCID: PMC7919050 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal vascular diseases have distinct, complex and multifactorial pathogeneses yet share several key pathophysiological aspects including inflammation, vascular permeability and neovascularisation. In non-infectious posterior uveitis (NIU), retinal vasculitis involves vessel leakage leading to retinal enlargement, exudation, and macular oedema. Neovascularisation is not a common feature in NIU, however, detection of the major angiogenic factor—vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)—in intraocular fluids in animal models of uveitis may be an indication for a role for this cytokine in a highly inflammatory condition. Suppression of VEGF-A by directly targeting the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor (BLT1) pathway indicates a connection between leukotrienes (LTs), which have prominent roles in initiating and propagating inflammatory responses, and VEGF-A in retinal inflammatory diseases. Further research is needed to understand how LTs interact with intraocular cytokines in retinal inflammatory diseases to guide the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting both inflammatory mediator pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Eskandarpour
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK;
- Correspondence:
| | - Miles A. Nunn
- Akari Therapeutics Plc, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (M.A.N.); (W.W.-D.)
| | | | - Virginia L. Calder
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK;
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24
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Neuroprotective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Motoneurons of the Oculomotor System. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020814. [PMID: 33467517 PMCID: PMC7830098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially characterized as a potent angiogenic factor based on its activity on the vascular system. However, it is now well established that VEGF also plays a crucial role as a neuroprotective factor in the nervous system. A deficit of VEGF has been related to motoneuronal degeneration, such as that occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Strikingly, motoneurons of the oculomotor system show lesser vulnerability to neurodegeneration in ALS compared to other motoneurons. These motoneurons presented higher amounts of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 than other brainstem pools. That higher VEGF level could be due to an enhanced retrograde input from their target muscles, but it can also be produced by the motoneurons themselves and act in an autocrine way. By contrast, VEGF’s paracrine supply from the vicinity cells, such as glial cells, seems to represent a minor source of VEGF for brainstem motoneurons. In addition, ocular motoneurons experiment an increase in VEGF and Flk-1 level in response to axotomy, not observed in facial or hypoglossal motoneurons. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the differences in VEGF availability that could contribute to the higher resistance of extraocular motoneurons to injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
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25
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Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging highlights neurovasculature changes following experimental traumatic brain injury in the rat. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21252. [PMID: 33277513 PMCID: PMC7718275 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77975-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurovascular injury has been proposed as a universal pathological hallmark of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with molecular markers of angiogenesis and endothelial function associated with injury severity and morbidity. Sex differences in the neurovasculature response post-TBI may contribute to the differences seen in how males and females respond to injury. Steady-state contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SSCE-MRI) can be used to non-invasively assess the neurovasculature and may be a useful tool in understanding and predicting outcomes post-TBI. Here we used SSCE-MRI to investigate the neurovasculature of male and female rats at 48 h after an experimental TBI, and how these changes related to neuromotor function at 1-week post-TBI. In addition to TBI induced changes, we found that female rats had greater vessel density, greater cerebral blood volumes and performed better on a neuromotor task than their male counterparts. These results suggest that acute post-TBI cerebrovascular function is worse in males, and that this may contribute to the greater functional deficits observed post-injury. Furthermore, these results highlight the potential of SSCE-MRI to provide insights into the cerebral microvasculature post-TBI. Future studies, incorporating both males and females, are warranted to investigate the evolution of these changes and the underlying mechanisms.
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26
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Huang H, Saddala MS, Lennikov A, Mukwaya A, Fan L. RNA-Seq reveals placental growth factor regulates the human retinal endothelial cell barrier integrity by transforming growth factor (TGF-β) signaling. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 475:93-106. [PMID: 32813141 PMCID: PMC7606466 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03862-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Placental growth factor (PlGF or PGF) is a member of the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) family. It plays a pathological role in inflammation, vascular permeability, and pathological angiogenesis. The molecular signaling by which PlGF mediates its effects in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains elusive. This study aims to characterize the transcriptome changes of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) with the presence and the absence of PlGF signaling. Primary HRECs were treated with the PlGF antibody (ab) to block its activity. The total RNA was isolated and subjected to deep sequencing to quantify the transcripts and their changes in both groups. We performed transcriptome-wide analysis, gene ontology, pathway enrichment, and gene-gene network analyses. The results showed that a total of 3760 genes were significantly differentially expressed and were categorized into cell adhesion molecules, cell junction proteins, chaperone, calcium-binding proteins, and membrane traffic proteins. Functional pathway analyses revealed that the TGF-β pathway, pentose phosphate pathway, and cell adhesion pathway play pivotal roles in the blood-retina barrier and antioxidant defense system. Collectively, the data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of PlGF's biological functions in HRECs relevant to DR and diabetic macular edema (DME). The newly identified genes and pathways may act as disease markers and target molecules for therapeutic interventions for the patients with DR and DME refractory to the current anti-VEGF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Huang
- The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | | | - Anton Lennikov
- The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Anthony Mukwaya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lijuan Fan
- The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
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27
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Fodor K, Sipos É, Dobos N, Nagy J, Steiber Z, Méhes G, Dull K, Székvölgyi L, Schally AV, Halmos G. Correlation between the Expression of Angiogenic Factors and Stem Cell Markers in Human Uveal Melanoma. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10120310. [PMID: 33255843 PMCID: PMC7760175 DOI: 10.3390/life10120310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common malignant tumor of the eye with extremely high metastatic potential. UM tumor cells can disseminate only hematogenously, thus, angiogenic signals have a particular role in the prognosis of the disease. Although the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in densely vascularized UMs has been reported previously, their role in the process of hematogenous spread of UM has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the regulation of angiogenesis in UM in correlation with the presence of CSCs. Seventy UM samples were collected to analyze the expression of CSC markers and angiogenic factors. The expression of CSC markers was studied by RT-PCR, Western blotting techniques and IHC-TMA technique. RT-PCR showed high expression of CSC markers, particularly nestin, FZD6 and SOX10 and somewhat lower expression of NGFR. The protein expression of FZD6, HIF-1α and VEGFA was further evaluated in 52 UM samples by the IHC-TMA technique. We report here for the first time a significant correlation between FZD6 and VEGFA expression in UM samples. The observed correlation between FZD6 and VEGFA suggests the presence of CSCs in UM that are associated with the vascularization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Fodor
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.F.); (É.S.); (N.D.)
| | - Éva Sipos
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.F.); (É.S.); (N.D.)
| | - Nikoletta Dobos
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.F.); (É.S.); (N.D.)
| | - János Nagy
- Clinical Center, Department of Oncology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Zita Steiber
- Clinical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Gábor Méhes
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (G.M.); (K.D.)
| | - Kata Dull
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (G.M.); (K.D.)
| | - Lóránt Székvölgyi
- MTA-DE Momentum, Genome Architecture and Recombination Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL 33101, USA;
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Divisions of Hematology Oncology and Endocrinology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33101, USA
| | - Gábor Halmos
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.F.); (É.S.); (N.D.)
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL 33101, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-52-255-292
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28
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Mehrabani M, Nematollahi MH, Tarzi ME, Juybari KB, Abolhassani M, Sharifi AM, Paseban H, Saravani M, Mirzamohammadi S. Protective effect of hydralazine on a cellular model of Parkinson’s disease: a possible role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Biochem Cell Biol 2020; 98:405-414. [DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2019-0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease accompanied by a low expression level of cerebral hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α). Hence, activating the hypoxia-signaling pathway may be a favorable therapeutic approach for curing PD. This study explored the efficacy of hydralazine, a well-known antihypertensive agent, for restoring the impaired HIF-1 signaling in PD, with the aid of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-exposed SH-SY5Y cells. The cytotoxicity of hydralazine and 6-OHDA on the SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and apoptosis detection assays. The activities of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide (NO), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also measured. Expression levels of HIF-1α and its downstream genes at the protein level were assessed by Western blotting. Hydralazine showed no toxic effects on SH-SY5Y cells, at the concentration of ≤50 μmol/L. Hydralazine decreased the levels of apoptosis, malondialdehyde, and NO, and increased the activities of FRAP and SOD in cells exposed to 6-OHDA. Furthermore, hydralazine up-regulated the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, tyrosine hydroxylase, and dopamine transporter in the cells also exposed to 6-OHDA, by comparison with the cells exposed to 6-OHDA alone. In summary, hydralazine priming could attenuate the deleterious effects of 6-OHDA on SH-SY5Y cells by increasing cellular antioxidant capacity, as well as the protein levels of HIF-1α and its downstream target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrnaz Mehrabani
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Nematollahi
- Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mojde Esmaeili Tarzi
- Cardiovascular research center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Kobra Bahrampour Juybari
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Moslem Abolhassani
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kerman University Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Sharifi
- Department of Pharmacology and Razi Drug Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamze Paseban
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohsen Saravani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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29
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Peña JS, Vazquez M. VEGF Upregulates EGFR Expression to Stimulate Chemotactic Behaviors in the rMC-1 Model of Müller Glia. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E330. [PMID: 32485834 PMCID: PMC7348795 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive vision loss in adults has become increasingly prevalent worldwide due to retinopathies associated with aging, genetics, and epigenetic factors that damage the retinal microvasculature. Insufficient supply of oxygen and/or nutrients upregulates factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which can induce abnormal angiogenesis and damage the structural arrangement of the retinal blood barrier (BRB). Müller glia (MG) regulate the diffusion of essential compounds across the BRB and respond to retinal insults via reactive gliosis, which includes cell hypertrophy, migration, and/or proliferation near areas of elevated VEGF concentration. Increasing concentrations of exogenous VEGF, upregulated by retinal pigmented epithelium cells, and endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) stimulation in MG, implicated in MG proliferative and migratory behavior, often lead to progressive and permanent vision loss. Our project examined the chemotactic responses of the rMC-1 cell line, a mammalian MG model, toward VEGF and EGF signaling fields in transwell assays, and within respective concentration gradient fields produced in the glia line (gLL) microfluidic system previously described by our group. rMC-1 receptor expression in defined ligand fields was also evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunocytochemical staining. Results illustrate dramatic increases in rMC-1 chemotactic responses towards EGF gradient fields after pre-treatment with VEGF. In addition, qPCR illustrated significant upregulation of EGF-R upon VEGF pre-treatment, which was higher than that induced by its cognate ligand, EGF. These results suggest interplay of molecular pathways between VEGF and EGF-R that have remained understudied in MG but are significant to the development of effective anti-VEGF treatments needed for a variety of retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maribel Vazquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
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30
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Saffari TM, Badreldin A, Mathot F, Bagheri L, Bishop AT, van Wijnen AJ, Shin AY. Surgical angiogenesis modifies the cellular environment of nerve allografts in a rat sciatic nerve defect model. Gene 2020; 751:144711. [PMID: 32353583 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tiam M Saffari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amr Badreldin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Femke Mathot
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Leila Bagheri
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Allen T Bishop
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andre J van Wijnen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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31
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Jin F, Zheng X, Yang Y, Yao G, Ye L, Doeppner TR, Hermann DM, Wang H, Dai Y. Impairment of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by LDL involves a HIF-centered signaling network linking inflammatory TNFα and angiogenic VEGF. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:328-349. [PMID: 30659163 PMCID: PMC6366960 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) mediate angiogenesis via up-regulation of various pro-angiogenic factors (particularly VEGF) in response to hypoxia. Here, we report that hypoxia unexpectedly induced robust production of the pro-inflammatory factor TNFα by endothelial cells (ECs), suggesting an autocrine loop that in turn activated HIFs via an NF-κB-dependent process, resulting in production of VEGF and thereby promotion of angiogenesis. In contrast, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) prevented expression of HIFs in ECs exposed to either hypoxia or TNFα, while knockdown of either HIF-1α or HIF-2α strikingly attenuated hypoxia-induced production of VEGF by ECs as well as EC colony formation and tube formation. Significantly, LDL attenuated hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by disrupting the TNFα/NF-κB/HIF/VEGF signaling cascade via down-regulation of the TNF receptor TNF-R1, rather than TNFα itself, and multiple key components of both canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. By doing so, LDL was able to either inhibit or down-regulate a wide spectrum of HIF-dependent pro-angiogenic downstream targets and signals. Together, these findings argue existence of a self-regulatory TNFα/NF-κB/HIF/VEGF signaling network in ECs, which mediates and fine-tones angiogenesis, at least in response to hypoxia. They also suggest that LDL impairs angiogenesis by disrupting this network, which might represent a novel mechanism underlying anti-angiogenic property of LDL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyan Jin
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiangyu Zheng
- Department of Neurology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yanping Yang
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Gang Yao
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Long Ye
- Laboratory of Cancer Precision Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Thorsten R Doeppner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk M Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | - Haifeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yun Dai
- Laboratory of Cancer Precision Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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32
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Darche M, Cossutta M, Caruana L, Houppe C, Gilles ME, Habert D, Guilloneau X, Vignaud L, Paques M, Courty J, Cascone I. Antagonist of nucleolin, N6L, inhibits neovascularization in mouse models of retinopathies. FASEB J 2020; 34:5851-5862. [PMID: 32141122 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901876r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal vascular diseases (RVD) have been identified as a major cause of blindness worldwide. These pathologies, including the wet form of age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, and diabetic retinopathy are currently treated by intravitreal delivery of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. However, repeated intravitreal injections can lead to ocular complications and resistance to these treatments. Thus, there is a need to find new targeted therapies. Nucleolin regulates the endothelial cell (EC) activation and angiogenesis. In previous studies, we designed a pseudopeptide, N6L, that binds the nucleolin and blocks the tumor angiogenesis. In this study, the effect of N6L was investigated in two experimental models of retinopathies including oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). We found that in mouse OIR, intraperitoneal injection of N6L is delivered to activated ECs and induced a 50% reduction of pathological neovascularization. The anti-angiogenic effect of N6L has been tested in CNV model in which the systemic injection of N6L induced a 33% reduction of angiogenesis. This effect is comparable to those obtained with VEGF-trap, a standard of care drug for RVD. Interestingly, with preventive and curative treatments, neoangiogenesis is inhibited by 59%. Our results have potential interest in the development of new therapies targeting other molecules than VEGF for RVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Darche
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
- Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Centre Hospitalier National des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire ForeSight, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Mélissande Cossutta
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Laure Caruana
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Claire Houppe
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | | | - Damien Habert
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Xavier Guilloneau
- INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Lucile Vignaud
- INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Michel Paques
- Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Centre Hospitalier National des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire ForeSight, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - José Courty
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Ilaria Cascone
- CRRET Laboratory, CNRS ERL 9215, University of Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
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Meng XY, Huang AQ, Khan A, Zhang L, Sun XQ, Song H, Han J, Sun QR, Wang YD, Li XL. Vascular endothelial growth factor-loaded poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles with controlled release protect the dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's rats. Chem Biol Drug Des 2020; 95:631-639. [PMID: 32167672 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) had neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic (DA) neurons. In order to overcome the gastrointestinal digestion and bioaccessibility, VEGF was encapsulated with poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanospheres (NS) in order to prevent the VEGF degradation until its release. The caudal administration of VEGF and NS encapsulated VEGF at different doses (1.0, 10.0, and 100.0 ng/ml) on the rats with Parkinson's disease lesion was evaluated. Intravenous injected VEGF at the dose of 1 ng/ml displayed the strongest neuroprotective effect than other groups as well as the stereotaxic group. The NS encapsulated with VEGF can pass through blood-brain barrier and protect the DA neurons. There was no significant difference between intravenous injection method and stereotaxic method, while the first method is simpler and convenient. Injection of NS encapsulated with VEGF may become a valuable neurorescuing therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Yue Meng
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng School of Clinical Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng, China
| | - An-Qi Huang
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng School of Clinical Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Afsar Khan
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng School of Clinical Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Sun
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng School of Clinical Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Hao Song
- Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Jun Han
- College of Pharmacy, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Qian-Ru Sun
- Department of Neuroimmune Laboratory, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng School of Clinical Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yu-Dan Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Biopolymer Functional Materials of Yunnan, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
| | - Xue-Li Li
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng School of Clinical Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng, China
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Sultana J, Scondotto G, Cutroneo PM, Morgante F, Trifirò G. Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Drugs and Signals of Dementia and Parkinson-Like Events: Analysis of the VigiBase Database of Spontaneous Reports. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:315. [PMID: 32226387 PMCID: PMC7080978 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates several aspects of the central nervous system, particularly in dopaminergic neurons, VEGF inhibitors may be linked to Parkinson-like events and dementia, or variants of these diseases. Two recent case reports have found a potential link between intravitreal anti-VEGF use and Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia. Aim To evaluate disproportionality in a large spontaneous reporting database concerning intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs and PD or dementia, and related conditions. Methods Using VigiBase, individual case safety reports (ICSRs) attributed to intravitreal ranibizumab, aflibercept, pegaptanib, and bevacizumab were identified from 2010 to 2016. Within Standardised Narrow Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA®) Queries (SMQs) for "Parkinson-like events" and "Dementia," suspected events were identified using preferred terms (PTs). The Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) was estimated with the lower 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all drug-event pairs with ≥3 suspected events. The vigiGrade completeness score was reported for the ICSRs. The analyses were repeated, including only persons aged 65 and over. Results Out of 18.9 million ICSRs, 7,945 (0.004%) concerned intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs. Of these, 27 (0.34%) were identified concerning the SMQs "Dementia" (N = 17, 62.96%) and "Parkinson-like events" (N = 10, 37.94%) in persons of all ages. Among persons age 65 and over, 4,758 (59.88% of relevant ICSRs) ICSRs were identified for anti-VEGF drugs. When restricting disproportionality analysis to persons aged 65 and over, no disproportionality was seen for any of the drug-event pairs at the level of SMQ. However, on analysing disproportionality by PT, a potential signal emerged for intravitreal ranibizumab and Parkinson's disease [N = 6 ICSRs; PRR: 3.05 (95% CI: 1.36-6.81)]. In general, the vigiGrade completeness score was low for all the ICSRs of interest, as no ICSR had a score >0.8. Conclusion Present findings suggest a potential signal for Parkinson's disease related to intravitreal ranibizumab. This is supported by several biologically plausible mechanisms but requires confirmation through pharmacoepidemiological studies, especially because of the low number of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Sultana
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Scondotto
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, A.O.U. "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Morgante
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Neurosciences Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gianluca Trifirò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, A.O.U. "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.,Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Moore AM, Mahoney E, Dumitrescu L, De Jager PL, Koran MEI, Petyuk VA, Robinson RA, Ruderfer DM, Cox NJ, Schneider JA, Bennett DA, Jefferson AL, Hohman TJ. APOE ε4-specific associations of VEGF gene family expression with cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 87:18-25. [PMID: 31791659 PMCID: PMC7064375 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Literature suggests vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is protective among those at highest risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele carriers represent a highly susceptible population for cognitive decline, and VEGF may confer distinct protection among APOE-ε4 carriers. We evaluated interactions between cortical expression of 10 VEGF gene family members and APOE-ε4 genotype to clarify which VEGF genes modify the association between APOE-ε4 and cognitive decline. Data were obtained from the Religious Orders Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project (N = 531). Linear regression assessed interactions on global cognition. VEGF genes NRP1 and VEGFA interacted with APOE-ε4 on cognitive performance (p.fdr < 0.05). Higher NRP1 expression correlated with worse outcomes among ε4 carriers but better outcomes among ε4 noncarriers, suggesting NRP1 modifies the risk for poor cognitive scores based on APOE-ε4 status. NRP1 regulates angiogenesis, and literature suggests vessels in APOE-ε4 brains are more prone to leaking, perhaps placing young vessels at risk for ischemia. Results suggest that future therapeutics targeting brain angiogenesis should also consider ε4 allele status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annah M Moore
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Emily Mahoney
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Logan Dumitrescu
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge MA, USA
| | | | - Vladislav A Petyuk
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Renã As Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Douglas M Ruderfer
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nancy J Cox
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Angela L Jefferson
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Timothy J Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Saffari TM, Bedar M, Hundepool CA, Bishop AT, Shin AY. The role of vascularization in nerve regeneration of nerve graft. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:1573-1579. [PMID: 32209756 PMCID: PMC7437604 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.276327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascularization is an important factor in nerve graft survival and function. The specific molecular regulations and patterns of angiogenesis following peripheral nerve injury are in a broad complex of pathways. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the role of vascularization in nerve regeneration, including the key regulation molecules, and mechanisms and patterns of revascularization after nerve injury. Angiogenesis, the maturation of pre-existing vessels into new areas, is stimulated through angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor and precedes the repair of damaged nerves. Vascular endothelial growth factor administration to nerves has demonstrated to increase revascularization after injury in basic science research. In the clinical setting, vascularized nerve grafts could be used in the reconstruction of large segmental peripheral nerve injuries. Vascularized nerve grafts are postulated to accelerate revascularization and enhance nerve regeneration by providing an optimal nutritional environment, especially in scarred beds, and decrease fibroblast infiltration. This could improve functional recovery after nerve grafting, however, conclusive evidence of the superiority of vascularized nerve grafts is lacking in human studies. A well-designed randomized controlled trial comparing vascularized nerve grafts to non-vascularized nerve grafts involving patients with similar injuries, nerve graft repair and follow-up times is necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of vascularized nerve grafts. Due to technical challenges, composite transfer of a nerve graft along with its adipose tissue has been proposed to provide a healthy tissue bed. Basic science research has shown that a vascularized fascial flap containing adipose tissue and a vascular bundle improves revascularization through excreted angiogenic factors, provided by the stem cells in the adipose tissue as well as by the blood supply and environmental support. While it was previously believed that revascularization occurred from both nerve ends, recent studies propose that revascularization occurs primarily from the proximal nerve coaptation. Fascial flaps or vascularized nerve grafts have limited applicability and future directions could lead towards off-the-shelf alternatives to autografting, such as biodegradable nerve scaffolds which include capillary-like networks to enable vascularization and avoid graft necrosis and ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiam M Saffari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meiwand Bedar
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline A Hundepool
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Allen T Bishop
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Huang Y, Wang J, Zhu B, Fu P. CSF VEGF Was Positively Associated with Neurogranin Independent of β-Amyloid Pathology. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:1737-1744. [PMID: 32801708 PMCID: PMC7383019 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s252008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Increasing evidence suggests that both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and synaptic failure have been involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is not clear whether CSF VEGF levels are associated with synaptic function in living human. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the present study, we included a total of 291 older individuals, including 83 individuals with normal cognition (NC), 143 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 65 patients with AD. Several linear regression models were conducted to examine the associations of CSF VEGF with CSF neurogranin levels (NG, reflecting synaptic degeneration) when controlling for other potential confounding factors, including age, gender, years of education, clinical diagnosis, APOE4 genotype and CSF β-amyloid 42 (Aβ 42) levels. RESULTS There was no significant difference in VEGF levels between the three diagnostic groups. In the pooled sample, females had significantly lower levels of VEGF than males. Aβ-positive (CSF Aβ 42 < 192 pg/mL) individuals had lower levels of VEGF than Aβ-negative individuals. However, the relationships between VEGF and NG levels were not modified by disease stage. Finally, we found that CSF VEGF levels were associated with NG levels with adjustment of age, gender, years of education, clinical diagnosis, APOE4 genotype and CSF Aβ 42 levels. CONCLUSION CSF VEGF levels were associated with NG independent of AD pathology and disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangping Huang
- Department of Neurology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bihong Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Fu
- Department of Neurology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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Shah FA, Li T, Kury LTA, Zeb A, Khatoon S, Liu G, Yang X, Liu F, Yao H, Khan AU, Koh PO, Jiang Y, Li S. Pathological Comparisons of the Hippocampal Changes in the Transient and Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Rat Models. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1178. [PMID: 31798514 PMCID: PMC6868119 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic strokes are categorized by permanent or transient obstruction of blood flow, which impedes delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to brain. In the last decade, the therapeutic window for tPA has increased from 3 to 5-6 h, and a new technique, involving the mechanical removal of the clot (endovascular thrombectomy) to allow reperfusion of the injured area, is being used more often. This last therapeutic approach can be done until 24 h after stroke onset. Due to this fact, more acute ischemic stroke patients are now being recanalized, and so tMCAO is probably the "best" model to address these patients that have a potential good outcome in terms of survival and functional recovery. However, permanent occlusion patients are also important, not only to increase survival rate but also to improve functional outcomes, although these are more difficult to achieve. So, both models are important, and which target different stroke patients in the clinical scenario. Hippocampus has a vital role in memory and cognition, is prone to ischemic induced neurodegeneration. This study was designed to delineate the molecular, pathological, and neurological changes in rat models of t-MCAO, permanent MCAO (pMCAO), and pMCAO with diabetic conditions in hippocampal tissue. Our results showed that these three models showed distinct discrepancies at numerous pathological process, including key signaling molecules involved in neuronal apoptosis, glutamate induced excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic changes. Our result suggests that the two commonly used MCAO models exhibited tremendous differences in terms of neuronal cell loss, glutamate excitotoxic related signaling, synaptic transmission markers, neuron inflammatory and oxidative stress molecules. These differences may reflect the variations in different models, which may provide valuable information for mechanistic and therapeutic inconsistences as experienced in both preclinical models and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawad Ali Shah
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Pharmacology, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lina Tariq Al Kury
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alam Zeb
- Department of Pharmacology, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shehla Khatoon
- Department of Anatomy, Khyber Medical College, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Gongping Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China and Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Huo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Arif-Ullah Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Phil Ok Koh
- Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si, South Korea
| | - Yuhua Jiang
- Cancer Centre, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Muñoz A, Corrêa CL, Lopez-Lopez A, Costa-Besada MA, Diaz-Ruiz C, Labandeira-Garcia JL. Physical Exercise Improves Aging-Related Changes in Angiotensin, IGF-1, SIRT1, SIRT3, and VEGF in the Substantia Nigra. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2019; 73:1594-1601. [PMID: 29659739 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in oxidative and inflammatory processes observed in major aging-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Physical exercise has beneficial effects against aging-related changes, dopaminergic neuron vulnerability, and PD progression. The present study indicates that sedentary aged rats have an increase in activity of the nigral angiotensin (Ang) II/Ang type 1 receptor (AT1) axis (ie, the pro-oxidative pro-inflammatory arm), and a decrease in the activity of the RAS protective arm (ie, Ang II/AT2 and Ang 1-7/Mas receptor axis) in comparison with young rats. In addition, sedentary aged rats showed a decrease in levels of nigral IGF-1, SIRT1, SIRT3, and VEGF. Treadmill running induced a significant increase in levels of IGF-1, SIRT1, SIRT3, and VEGF, as well as an increase in expression of the protective Ang 1-7/Mas axis and inhibition of the Ang II/AT1 axis. The exercise-induced increase in IGF-1 and sirtuins may mediate the effects of exercise on the nigral RAS. However, exercise may induce the increase in VEGF and modulation of RAS activity by different pathways. Exercise, via RAS, contributes to inhibition of the pro-oxidative and proinflammatory state that increase dopaminergic neuron vulnerability and risk of PD with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Muñoz
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clynton L Corrêa
- Faculty of Medicine, Master Program of Physical Education - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea Lopez-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria A Costa-Besada
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Diaz-Ruiz
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose L Labandeira-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
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Kandil EA, Sayed RH, Ahmed LA, Abd El Fattah MA, El-Sayeh BM. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and nuclear-related receptor 1 as targets for neuroprotection by albendazole in a rat rotenone model of Parkinson's disease. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2019; 46:1141-1150. [PMID: 31408200 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and nuclear receptor related-1 (Nurr1) play pivotal roles in the development and survival of dopaminergic neurons, and deficiencies in these genes may be involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Recently, anthelminthic benzimidazoles were shown to promote HIF-1α transcription in vitro and were proposed to activate Nurr1 via their benzimidazole group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the neuroprotective effects of albendazole (ABZ), an anthelminthic benzimidazole, in a rotenone model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rotenone (1.5 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected into rats every other day for a period of 21 days, resulting in the development of the essential features of PD. In addition to rotenone, ABZ (10 mg/kg) was administered orally starting from the 11th day. Treatment of rats with ABZ markedly mitigated rotenone-induced histological alterations in substantia nigra (SN), restored striatal dopamine (DA) level and motor functions and decreased the expression of α-synuclein (a disease marker protein). ABZ also enhanced expression of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the SN along with its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor, promoting neuronal survival. Similarly, ABZ augmented nuclear receptor related-1 (Nurr1) expression in the SN and increased transcriptional activation of Nurr1-controlled genes, which are essential for regulation of DA synthesis; additionally, expression of neurotoxic proinflammatory cytokines that induce neuronal death was suppressed. In conclusion, the present study suggests that ABZ exerts a neuroprotective effect in a rotenone-induced PD model associated with HIF-1α and Nurr1 activation and thus may be a viable candidate for treating PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esraa A Kandil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rabab H Sayed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa A Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mai A Abd El Fattah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Bahia M El-Sayeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Kuang A, Erlund I, Herder C, Westerhuis JA, Tuomilehto J, Cornelis MC. Targeted proteomic response to coffee consumption. Eur J Nutr 2019; 59:1529-1539. [PMID: 31154491 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-02009-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coffee is widely consumed and implicated in numerous health outcomes but the mechanisms by which coffee contributes to health is unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of coffee drinking on candidate proteins involved in cardiovascular, immuno-oncological and neurological pathways. METHODS We examined fasting serum samples collected from a previously reported single blinded, three-stage clinical trial. Forty-seven habitual coffee consumers refrained from drinking coffee for 1 month, consumed 4 cups of coffee/day in the second month and 8 cups/day in the third month. Samples collected after each coffee stage were analyzed using three multiplex proximity extension assays that, after quality control, measured a total of 247 proteins implicated in cardiovascular, immuno-oncological and neurological pathways and of which 59 were previously linked to coffee exposure. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the relationship between coffee treatment and each protein. RESULTS Two neurology-related proteins including carboxypeptidase M (CPM) and neutral ceramidase (N-CDase or ASAH2), significantly increased after coffee intake (P < 0.05 and Q < 0.05). An additional 46 proteins were nominally associated with coffee intake (P < 0.05 and Q > 0.05); 9, 8 and 29 of these proteins related to cardiovascular, immuno-oncological and neurological pathways, respectively, and the levels of 41 increased with coffee intake. CONCLUSIONS CPM and N-CDase levels increased in response to coffee intake. These proteins have not previously been linked to coffee and are thus novel markers of coffee response worthy of further study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12547806.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Kuang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Iris Erlund
- Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christian Herder
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Johan A Westerhuis
- Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Human Metabolomics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Jaakko Tuomilehto
- Disease Risk Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Saudi Diabetes Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jidda, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marilyn C Cornelis
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Shen W, Lee SR, Yam M, Zhu L, Zhang T, Pye V, Mathai AE, Shibagaki K, Zhang JZ, Matsugi T, Gillies MC. A Combination Therapy Targeting Endoglin and VEGF-A Prevents Subretinal Fibro-Neovascularization Caused by Induced Müller Cell Disruption. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:6075-6088. [PMID: 30592496 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Subretinal fibroneovascularization is one of the most common causes of vision loss in neovascular AMD (nAMD). Anti-VEGF therapy effectively inhibits vascular leak and neovascularization but has little effect on fibrosis. This study aimed to identify a combination therapy to concurrently inhibit subretinal neovascularization and prevent fibrosis. Methods We generated transgenic mice in which induced disruption of Müller cells leads to subretinal neovascularization, which is reliably accompanied by subretinal fibrosis. We conducted Western blots and immunohistochemistry to study changes in transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling including endoglin, a coreceptor essential for TGFβ signaling, and then tested the effects of monthly intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF-A and anti-endoglin, either alone or in combination, on the development of subretinal fibroneovascularization in our transgenic mice. Results Müller cell disruption increased expression of TGFβ1, TGFβ type 1 receptor, and phosphorylated-Smad3. Endoglin was strongly expressed in subretinal fibroneovascular tissue. Fluorescein angiography and measurements of retinal vascular permeability indicated that intravitreal anti-VEGF-A in combination with anti-endoglin treatment more efficiently inhibited vascular leak compared with either monotherapy. Immunostaining of retinal wholemounts with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 indicated that the combination therapy also effectively prevented subretinal fibrosis and inhibited microglial activation. Luminex cytokine assays indicated that intravitreal anti-VEGF-A and anti-endoglin treatment, either alone or in combination, reduced the production of IL33 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α. Conclusions Our findings offer a potentially novel combination approach to concurrently managing subretinal neovascularization and fibrosis in nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyong Shen
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - So-Ra Lee
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Yam
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ling Zhu
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ting Zhang
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Victoria Pye
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashish Easow Mathai
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Keiichi Shibagaki
- Department of Non-Clinical Research, Global R&D, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nara, Japan
| | - Jin-Zhong Zhang
- Department of Non-Clinical Research, Global R&D, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nara, Japan
| | - Takeshi Matsugi
- Department of Non-Clinical Research, Global R&D, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nara, Japan
| | - Mark C Gillies
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Abstract
Currently, myopic retinopathy is the most common irreversible blinding disease but its pathophysiology is not completely clear. A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a single center to analyze aqueous samples from highly myopic eyes (axial length >25 mm, n = 92) and ametropic or mild myopic eyes (n = 88) for inflammatory cytokines. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-6 and MMP-2 were significantly higher in the highly myopic eyes than in the non-high myopic eyes (IL-6: 11.90 vs. 4.38 pg/mL, p < 0.0001; MMP-2: 13.10 vs. 8.82 ng/mL, p = 0.0003) while adjusting for age, gender, and intraocular pressure. There was a significant positive association between levels of IL-6 and MMP-2 in aqueous humor and the axial lengths of the eye globes (IL-6, β = 0.065, p < 0.0001, n = 134; MMP-2, β = 0.097, p < 0.0001, n = 131). Conversely, VEGF in aqueous humor was significantly lower in the highly myopic eyes than in the non-high myopic eyes (45.56 vs. 96.90 pg/mL, p < 0.0001, n = 153) while age, gender, and intraocular pressure were adjusted. The results suggest that low-grade intraocular inflammation may play an important role in the development and progression of high myopia and myopic retinopathy.
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Nagib MM, Tadros MG, Rahmo RM, Sabri NA, Khalifa AE, Masoud SI. Ameliorative Effects of α-Tocopherol and/or Coenzyme Q10 on Phenytoin-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats: Role of VEGF and BDNF-TrkB-CREB Pathway. Neurotox Res 2019; 35:451-462. [PMID: 30374909 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Phenytoin is one of the most well-known antiepileptic drugs that cause cognitive impairment which is closely related to cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial growth factor, has a documented role in neurogenesis and neuronal survival and cognitive impairment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of powerful antioxidants: α-Toc and CoQ10 alone or combined in the preservation of brain tissues and the maintenance of memory formation in phenytoin-induced cognitive impairment in rats. The following behavioral test novel object recognition and elevated plus maze were assessed after 14 days of treatment. Moreover, VEGF, BDNF, TrkB, and CREB gene expression levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were estimated using RT-PCR. Both α-Toc and CoQ10 alone or combined with phenytoin showed improvement in behavioral tests compared to phenytoin. Mechanistically, α-Toc and/or CoQ10 decreases the VEGF mRNA expression, while increases BDNF-TrKB-CREB mRNA levels in hippocampus and cortex of phenytoin-treated rats. Collectively, α-Toc and/or CoQ10 alleviated the phenytoin-induced cognitive impairment through suppressing oxidative damage. The underlying molecular mechanism of the treating compounds is related to the VEGF and enhancing BDNF-TrkB-CREB signaling pathway. Our study indicated the usefulness α-Toc or CoQ10 as an adjuvant to antiepileptic drugs with an advantage of preventing cognitive impairment and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa M Nagib
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, KM 28 Cairo - Ismailia Road Ahmed Orabi District, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Mariane G Tadros
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rania M Rahmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, KM 28 Cairo - Ismailia Road Ahmed Orabi District, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nagwa Ali Sabri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amani E Khalifa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University seconded to 57357 Children Cancer Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Somaia I Masoud
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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45
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Körner S, Thau-Habermann N, Kefalakes E, Bursch F, Petri S. Expression of the axon-guidance protein receptor Neuropilin 1 is increased in the spinal cord and decreased in muscle of a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 49:1529-1543. [PMID: 30589468 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disorder. It is supposed that ALS is at least in part an axonopathy. Neuropilin 1 is an important receptor of the axon repellent Semaphorin 3A and a co-receptor of vascular endothelial growth factor. It is probably involved in neuronal and axonal de-/regeneration and might be of high relevance for ALS pathogenesis and/or disease progression. To elucidate whether the expression of either Neuropilin1 or Semaphorin3A is altered in ALS we investigated these proteins in human brain, spinal cord and muscle tissue of ALS-patients and controls as well as transgenic SOD1G93A and control mice. Neuropilin1 and Semaphorin3A gene and protein expression were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry. Groups were compared using either Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. We observed a consistent increase of Neuropilin1 expression in the spinal cord and decrease of Neuropilin1 and Semaphorin3A in muscle tissue of transgenic SOD1G93A mice at the mRNA and protein level. Previous studies have shown that damage of neurons physiologically causes Neuropilin1 and Semaphorin3A increase in the central nervous system and decrease in the peripheral nervous system. Our results indicate that this also occurs in ALS. Pharmacological modulation of expression and function of axon repellents could be a promising future therapeutic option in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Körner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Ekaterini Kefalakes
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Bursch
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany
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CNS-Wide over Expression of Fractalkine Improves Cognitive Functioning in a Tauopathy Model. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2018; 14:312-325. [PMID: 30499006 PMCID: PMC6525127 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-018-9822-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence increasingly implicates regulation of neuroinflammation as a potential therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Fractalkine (FKN) is a unique chemokine that is expressed and secreted by neurons and reduces expression of pro-inflammatory genes. To further demonstrate the utility of agents that increase FKN signaling throughout the central nervous system as possible therapies for AD, we assessed the impact of soluble FKN (sFKN) over expression on cognition in tau depositing rTg450 mice after the onset of cognitive deficits. Using adeno-associated virus serotype 4, we infected cells lining the ventricular system with soluble FKN to increase FKN signaling over a larger fraction of the brain than achieved with intraparenchymal injections. We found that soluble FKN over expression by cells lining the ventricles significantly improved cognitive performance on the novel mouse recognition and radial arm water maze tasks. These benefits were achieved without detectable reductions in tau hyperphosphorylation, hippocampal atrophy, or microglial CD45 expression. Utilizing qPCR, we report a significant increase in Vegfa expression, indicating an increase in trophic support and possible neovascularization in AAV-sFKN-injected mice. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that FKN over expression can rescue cognitive function in a tau depositing mouse line. Regulating neuroinflammation is an attractive therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease. Microglial activation can not only drive pathology but also accelerate cognitive decline. The chemokine fractalkine regulates the microglial phenotype, increasing trophic support of neurons, and significantly improving cognitive functioning in the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy. ![]()
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47
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The role of placental growth factor (PlGF) and its receptor system in retinal vascular diseases. Prog Retin Eye Res 2018; 69:116-136. [PMID: 30385175 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. Upon binding to VEGF- and neuropilin-receptor sub-types, PlGF modulates a range of neural, glial and vascular cell responses that are distinct from VEGF-A. As PlGF expression is selectively associated with pathological angiogenesis and inflammation, its blockade does not affect the healthy vasculature. PlGF actions have been extensively described in tumor biology but more recently there has been accumulating preclinical evidence that indicates that this growth factor could have an important role in retinal diseases. High levels of PlGF have been found in aqueous humor, vitreous and/or retina of patients exhibiting retinopathies, especially those with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). Expression of this growth factor seems to correlate closely with many of the key pathogenic features of early and late retinopathy in preclinical models. For example, studies using genetic modification and/or pharmacological treatment to block PlGF in the laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model, oxygen-induced retinopathy model, as well as various murine diabetic models, have shown that PlGF deletion or inhibition can reduce neovascularization, retinal leakage, inflammation and gliosis, without affecting vascular development or inducing neuronal degeneration. Moreover, an inhibitory effect of PlGF blockade on retinal scarring in the mouse CNV model has also been recently demonstrated and was found to be unique for PlGF inhibition, as compared to various VEGF inhibition strategies. Together, these preclinical results suggest that anti-PlGF therapy might have advantages over anti-VEGF treatment, and that it may have clinical applications as a standalone treatment or in combination with anti-VEGF. Additional clinical studies are clearly needed to further elucidate the role of PlGF and its potential as a therapeutic target in ocular diseases.
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48
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Shen J, Xiao R, Bair J, Wang F, Vandenberghe LH, Dartt D, Baranov P, Ng YSE. Novel engineered, membrane-localized variants of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protect retinal ganglion cells: a proof-of-concept study. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1018. [PMID: 30282966 PMCID: PMC6170416 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1049-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) can protect retinal ganglion cells (RGC) from stress-induced cell death in ocular hypertensive glaucoma. To exploit the neuroprotective function of VEGF-A for therapeutic application in ocular disorders such as glaucoma while minimizing unwanted vascular side effects, we engineered two novel VEGF variants, eVEGF-38 and eVEGF-53. These variants of the diffusible VEGF-A isoform VEGF121 are expressed as dimeric concatamers and remain tethered to the cell membrane, thus restricting the effects of the engineered VEGF to the cells expressing the protein. For comparison, we tested a Myc-tagged version of VEGF189, an isoform that binds tightly to the extracellular matrix and heparan sulfate proteoglycans at the cell surface, supporting only autocrine and localized juxtacrine signaling. In human retinal endothelial cells (hREC), expression of eVEGF-38, eVEGF-53, or VEGF189 increased VEGFR2 phosphorylation without increasing expression of pro-inflammatory markers, relative to VEGF165 protein and vector controls. AAV2-mediated transduction of eVEGF-38, eVEGF-53, or VEGF189 into primary mouse RGC promoted synaptogenesis and increased the average total length of neurites and axons per RGC by ~ 12-fold, an increase that was mediated by VEGFR2 and PI3K/AKT signaling. Expression of eVEGF-38 in primary RGC enhanced expression of genes associated with neuritogenesis, axon outgrowth, axon guidance, and cell survival. Transduction of primary RGC with any of the membrane-associated VEGF constructs increased survival both under normal culture conditions and in the presence of the cytotoxic chemicals H2O2 (via VEGFR2/PI3K/AKT signaling) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (via reduced Ca2+ influx). Moreover, RGC number was increased in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived retinal organoid cultures transduced with the eVEGF-53 construct. The novel, engineered VEGF variants eVEGF-38 and eVEGF-53 show promise as potential therapeutics for retinal RGC neuroprotection when delivered using a gene therapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Shen
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Eye Center of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ru Xiao
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Bair
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luk H Vandenberghe
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.,Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Ocular Genomics Institute, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.,The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darlene Dartt
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petr Baranov
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yin Shan Eric Ng
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
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Wang Z, Zhou W, Zhou B, Zhang J. Association of vascular endothelial growth factor levels in CSF and cerebral glucose metabolism across the Alzheimer's disease spectrum. Neurosci Lett 2018; 687:276-279. [PMID: 30278247 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in CSF and cerebral glucose metabolism across the Alzheimer's disease (AD) spectrum is unclear. CSF VEGF levels were cross-sectionally related to cerebral glucose metabolism, as measured by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), using linear regression models. We found that VEGF levels were associated with cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, but not in cognitively normal older adults. Our data indicated that VEGF may play an important role in cerebral glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qianjiang Central Hospital of Hubei Province, Hubei, China
| | - Wenjun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Qianjiang Central Hospital of Hubei Province, Hubei, China.
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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50
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Kakouri AC, Christodoulou CC, Zachariou M, Oulas A, Minadakis G, Demetriou CA, Votsi C, Zamba-Papanicolaou E, Christodoulou K, Spyrou GM. Revealing Clusters of Connected Pathways Through Multisource Data Integration in Huntington's Disease and Spastic Ataxia. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2018; 23:26-37. [PMID: 30176611 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2018.2865569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The advancement of scientific and medical research over the past years has generated a wealth of experimental data from multiple technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and other forms of -omics data, which are available for a number of diseases. The integration of such multisource data is a key component toward the success of precision medicine. In this paper, we are investigating a multisource data integration method developed by our group, regarding its ability to drive to clusters of connected pathways under two different approaches: first, a disease-centric approach, where we integrate data around a disease, and second, a gene-centric approach, where we integrate data around a gene. We have used as a paradigm for the first approach Huntington's disease (HD), a disease with a plethora of available data, whereas for the second approach the GBA2, a gene that is related to spastic ataxia (SA), a phenotype with sparse availability of data. Our paper shows that valuable information at the level of disease-related pathway clusters can be obtained for both HD and SA. New pathways that classical pathway analysis methods were unable to reveal, emerged as necessary "connectors" to build connected pathway stories formed as pathway clusters. The capability to integrate multisource molecular data, concluding to something more than the sum of the existing information, empowers precision and personalized medicine approaches.
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