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Bastawy EM, Eraslan IM, Voglsanger L, Suphioglu C, Walker AJ, Dean OM, Read JL, Ziemann M, Smith CM. Novel Insights into Changes in Gene Expression within the Hypothalamus in Two Asthma Mouse Models: A Transcriptomic Lung-Brain Axis Study. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7391. [PMID: 39000495 PMCID: PMC11242700 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with asthma experience elevated rates of mental illness. However, the molecular links underlying such lung-brain crosstalk remain ambiguous. Hypothalamic dysfunction is observed in many psychiatric disorders, particularly those with an inflammatory component due to many hypothalamic regions being unprotected by the blood-brain barrier. To gain a better insight into such neuropsychiatric sequelae, this study investigated gene expression differences in the hypothalamus following lung inflammation (asthma) induction in mice, using RNA transcriptome profiling. BALB/c mice were challenged with either bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, E. coli) or ovalbumin (OVA) allergens or saline control (n = 7 per group), and lung inflammation was confirmed via histological examination of postmortem lung tissue. The majority of the hypothalamus was micro-dissected, and total RNA was extracted for sequencing. Differential expression analysis identified 31 statistically significant single genes (false discovery rate FDR5%) altered in expression following LPS exposure compared to controls; however, none were significantly changed following OVA treatment, suggesting a milder hypothalamic response. When gene sets were examined, 48 were upregulated and 8 were downregulated in both asthma groups relative to controls. REACTOME enrichment analysis suggests these gene sets are involved in signal transduction metabolism, immune response and neuroplasticity. Interestingly, we identified five altered gene sets directly associated with neurotransmitter signaling. Intriguingly, many of these altered gene sets can influence mental health and or/neuroinflammation in humans. These findings help characterize the links between asthma-induced lung inflammation and the brain and may assist in identifying relevant pathways and therapeutic targets for future intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam M Bastawy
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Izel M Eraslan
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Lara Voglsanger
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Cenk Suphioglu
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Adam J Walker
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Olivia M Dean
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Justin L Read
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Mark Ziemann
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Craig M Smith
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
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2
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Fang L, Li J, Cheng H, Liu H, Zhang C. Dual fluorescence images, transport pathway, and blood-brain barrier penetration of B-Met-W/O/W SE. Int J Pharm 2024; 652:123854. [PMID: 38280499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.123854] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Borneol is an aromatic traditional Chinese medicine that can improve the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), enter the brain, and promote the brain tissue distribution of many other drugs. In our previous study, borneol-metformin hydrochloride water/oil/water composite submicron emulsion (B-Met-W/O/W SE) was prepared using borneol and SE to promote BBB penetration, which significantly increased the brain distribution of Met. However, the dynamic images, transport pathway (uptake and efflux), promotion of BBB permeability, and mechanisms of B-Met-W/O/W SE before and after entering cells have not been clarified. In this study, rhodamine B and coumarin-6 were selected as water-soluble and oil-soluble fluorescent probes to prepare B-Met-W/O/W dual-fluorescent SE (B-Met-W/O/W DFSE) with concentric circle imaging. B-Met-W/O/W SE can be well taken up by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The addition of three inhibitors (chlorpromazine hydrochloride, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, and amiloride hydrochloride) indicated that its main pathway may be clathrin-mediated and fossa protein-mediated endocytosis. Meanwhile, B-Met-W/O/W SE was obviously shown to inhibit the efflux of BMECs. Next, BMECs were cultured in the Transwell chamber to establish a BBB model, and Western blot was employed to detect the protein expressions of Occludin, Zona Occludens 1 (ZO-1), and p-glycoprotein (P-gp) after B-Met-W/O/W SE treatment. The results showed that B-Met-W/O/W SE significantly down-regulated the expression of Occludin, ZO-1, and P-gp, which increased the permeability of BBB, promoted drug entry into the brain through BBB, and inhibited BBB efflux. Furthermore, 11 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 7 related signaling pathways in BMECs treated with B-W/O/W SE were detected by transcriptome sequencing and verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). These results provide a scientific experimental basis for the dynamic monitoring, transmembrane transport mode, and permeation-promoting mechanism of B-Met-W/O/W SE as a new brain-targeting drug delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Fang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modernized Pharmaceutics, Anhui Education Department (AUCM), Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; School of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacokinetics, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
| | - Junying Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modernized Pharmaceutics, Anhui Education Department (AUCM), Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; School of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacokinetics, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
| | - Hongyan Cheng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modernized Pharmaceutics, Anhui Education Department (AUCM), Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; School of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacokinetics, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
| | - Huanhuan Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modernized Pharmaceutics, Anhui Education Department (AUCM), Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; School of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacokinetics, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
| | - Caiyun Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modernized Pharmaceutics, Anhui Education Department (AUCM), Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; School of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacokinetics, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei 230012, Anhui, China; Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
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Delhaye S, Jarjat M, Boulksibat A, Sanchez C, Tempio A, Turtoi A, Giorgi M, Lacas-Gervais S, Baj G, Rovere C, Trezza V, Pellegrini M, Maurin T, Lalli E, Bardoni B. Defects in AMPAR trafficking and microglia activation underlie socio-cognitive deficits associated to decreased expression of phosphodiesterase 2 a. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 191:106393. [PMID: 38154608 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106393] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase 2 A (PDE2A) is an enzyme involved in the homeostasis of cAMP and cGMP and is the most highly expressed PDE in human brain regions critical for socio-cognitive behavior. In cerebral cortex and hippocampus, PDE2A expression level is upregulated in Fmr1-KO mice, a model of the Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Indeed, PDE2A translation is negatively modulated by FMRP, whose functional absence causes FXS. While the pharmacological inhibition of PDE2A has been associated to its pro-cognitive role in normal animals and in models of ID and ASD, homozygous PDE2A mutations have been identified in patients affected by ID, ASD and epilepsy. To clarify this apparent paradox about the role of PDE2A in brain development, we characterized here Pde2a+/- mice (homozygote animals being not viable) at the behavioral, cellular, molecular and electrophysiological levels. Pde2a+/- females display a milder form of the disorder with reduced cognitive performance in adulthood, conversely males show severe socio-cognitive deficits throughout their life. In males, these phenotypes are associated with microglia activation, elevated glutathione levels and increased externalization of Glutamate receptor (GluR1) in CA1, producing reduced mGluR-dependent Long-term Depression. Overall, our results reveal molecular targets of the PDE2A-dependent pathway underlying socio-cognitive performance. These results clarify the mechanism of action of pro-cognitive drugs based on PDE2A inactivation, which have been shown to be promising therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, FXS as well as other forms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Delhaye
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Marielle Jarjat
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Asma Boulksibat
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Clara Sanchez
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Alessandra Tempio
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Mauro Giorgi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, DAHFMO, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Lacas-Gervais
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Commun de Microscopie Appliquée, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Gabriele Baj
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Carole Rovere
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | | | - Manuela Pellegrini
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, DAHFMO, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas Maurin
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Enzo Lalli
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Barbara Bardoni
- CNRS UMR7275, Inserm U1323, Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France.
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Gusev E, Sarapultsev A. Interplay of G-proteins and Serotonin in the Neuroimmunoinflammatory Model of Chronic Stress and Depression: A Narrative Review. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:180-214. [PMID: 38151838 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128285578231218102020] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This narrative review addresses the clinical challenges in stress-related disorders such as depression, focusing on the interplay between neuron-specific and pro-inflammatory mechanisms at the cellular, cerebral, and systemic levels. OBJECTIVE We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking chronic psychological stress with low-grade neuroinflammation in key brain regions, particularly focusing on the roles of G proteins and serotonin (5-HT) receptors. METHODS This comprehensive review of the literature employs systematic, narrative, and scoping review methodologies, combined with systemic approaches to general pathology. It synthesizes current research on shared signaling pathways involved in stress responses and neuroinflammation, including calcium-dependent mechanisms, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and key transcription factors like NF-κB and p53. The review also focuses on the role of G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors (GPCRs) in immune and pro-inflammatory responses, with a detailed analysis of how 13 of 14 types of human 5-HT receptors contribute to depression and neuroinflammation. RESULTS The review reveals a complex interaction between neurotransmitter signals and immunoinflammatory responses in stress-related pathologies. It highlights the role of GPCRs and canonical inflammatory mediators in influencing both pathological and physiological processes in nervous tissue. CONCLUSION The proposed Neuroimmunoinflammatory Stress Model (NIIS Model) suggests that proinflammatory signaling pathways, mediated by metabotropic and ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors, are crucial for maintaining neuronal homeostasis. Chronic mental stress can disrupt this balance, leading to increased pro-inflammatory states in the brain and contributing to neuropsychiatric and psychosomatic disorders, including depression. This model integrates traditional theories on depression pathogenesis, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Gusev
- Laboratory of Inflammation Immunology, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Ekaterinburg 620049, Russia
- Russian-Chinese Education and Research Center of System Pathology, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russia
| | - Alexey Sarapultsev
- Russian-Chinese Education and Research Center of System Pathology, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russia
- Laboratory of Immunopathophysiology, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Ekaterinburg 620049, Russia
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5
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Zhao Q, Ren YL, Zhu YJ, Huang RQ, Zhu RR, Cheng LM, Xie N. The origins and dynamic changes of C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes after spinal cord injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1276506. [PMID: 38188669 PMCID: PMC10766709 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1276506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Accaumulating studies focus on the effects of C3-positive A1-like phenotypes and S100A10-positive A2-like phenotypes of reactive astrocytes on spinal cord injury (SCI), however the origins and dynamic changes of C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes after SCI remain poorly understood. Through transgenic mice and lineage tracing, we aimed to determine the origins of C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes. Meanwhile, the distribution and dynamic changes in C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes were also detected in juvenile and adult SCI mice models and cultured astrocytes. Combing with bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bioinformatic analysis, we further explored the dynamic transcripts changes of C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes after SCI. We confirmed that resident astrocytes produced both C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes, whereas ependymal cells regenerated only S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes in lesion area. Importantly, C3-positive reactive astrocytes were predominantly activated in adult SCI mice, while S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes were hyperactivated in juvenile mice. Furthermore, we observed that C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes had a dynamic transformation process at different time in vitro and vivo, and a majority of intermediate states of C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes were found during transformation. RNA-seq and scRNA-seq results further confirmed that the transcripts of C3-positive reactive astrocytes and their lipid toxicity were gradually increased with time and age. In contrast, S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes transcripts increased at early time and then gradually decreased after SCI. Our results provide insight into the origins and dynamic changes of C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes after SCI, which would be valuable resources to further target C3- and S100A10-positive reactive astrocytes after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-long Ren
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-jing Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-qi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong-rong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-ming Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Xie
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Nelissen E, Schepers M, Ponsaerts L, Foulquier S, Bronckaers A, Vanmierlo T, Sandner P, Prickaerts J. Soluble guanylyl cyclase: A novel target for the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment? Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106970. [PMID: 37884069 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106970] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a vascular component. Pathologically, it involves decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF), white matter lesions, endothelial dysfunction, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairments. Molecularly, oxidative stress and inflammation are two of the major underlying mechanisms. Nitric oxide (NO) physiologically stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to induce cGMP production. However, under pathological conditions, NO seems to be at the basis of oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to a decrease in sGC activity and expression. The native form of sGC needs a ferrous heme group bound in order to be sensitive to NO (Fe(II)sGC). Oxidation of sGC leads to the conversion of ferrous to ferric heme (Fe(III)sGC) and even heme-loss (apo-sGC). Both Fe(III)sGC and apo-sGC are insensitive to NO, and the enzyme is therefore inactive. sGC activity can be enhanced either by targeting the NO-sensitive native sGC (Fe(II)sGC), or the inactive, oxidized sGC (Fe(III)sGC) and the heme-free apo-sGC. For this purpose, sGC stimulators acting on Fe(II)sGC and sGC activators acting on Fe(III)sGC/apo-sGC have been developed. These sGC agonists have shown their efficacy in cardiovascular diseases by restoring the physiological and protective functions of the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, including the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, and improvement of vascular functioning. Yet, only very little research has been performed within the cerebrovascular system and VCI pathology when focusing on sGC modulation and its potential protective mechanisms on vascular and neural function. Therefore, within this review, the potential of sGC as a target for treating VCI is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Laura Ponsaerts
- Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Cardio & Organ Systems (COS), Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Foulquier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Annelies Bronckaers
- Department of Cardio & Organ Systems (COS), Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Friebe A, Kraehling JR, Russwurm M, Sandner P, Schmidtko A. The 10th International Conference on cGMP 2022: recent trends in cGMP research and development-meeting report. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:1669-1686. [PMID: 37079081 PMCID: PMC10338386 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02484-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Increasing cGMP is a unique therapeutic principle, and drugs inhibiting cGMP-degrading enzymes or stimulating cGMP production are approved for the treatment of various diseases such as erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, chronic heart failure, irritable bowel syndrome, or achondroplasia. In addition, cGMP-increasing therapies are preclinically profiled or in clinical development for quite a broad set of additional indications, e.g., neurodegenerative diseases or different forms of dementias, bone formation disorders, underlining the pivotal role of cGMP signaling pathways. The fundamental understanding of the signaling mediated by nitric oxide-sensitive (soluble) guanylyl cyclase and membrane-associated receptor (particulate) guanylyl cyclase at the molecular and cellular levels, as well as in vivo, especially in disease models, is a key prerequisite to fully exploit treatment opportunities and potential risks that could be associated with an excessive increase in cGMP. Furthermore, human genetic data and the clinical effects of cGMP-increasing drugs allow back-translation into basic research to further learn about signaling and treatment opportunities. The biannual international cGMP conference, launched nearly 20 years ago, brings all these aspects together as an established and important forum for all topics from basic science to clinical research and pivotal clinical trials. This review summarizes the contributions to the "10th cGMP Conference on cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications," which was held in Augsburg in 2022 but will also provide an overview of recent key achievements and activities in the field of cGMP research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Friebe
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan R. Kraehling
- Pharmaceuticals, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, D-42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Michael Russwurm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Pharmaceuticals, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, D-42096 Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Achim Schmidtko
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-Von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
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8
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van Kraaij SJW, Gal P, Borghans LGJM, Klaassen ES, Dijkstra F, Winrow C, Glasser C, Groeneveld GJ. First-in-human trial to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of zagociguat (CY6463), a CNS-penetrant soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator. Clin Transl Sci 2023; 16:1381-1395. [PMID: 37118895 PMCID: PMC10432884 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and its product, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, play a role in learning and memory formation. Zagociguat (CY6463) is a novel stimulator of sGC being developed for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Single zagociguat doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg were administered once to healthy participants in a single-ascending-dose phase; then zagociguat 2, 5, 10, and 15 mg was administered q.d. for 14 days in a multiple-ascending-dose phase; and, finally, zagociguat 10 mg was administered once in both fed and fasted state in a food-interaction phase. Safety of zagociguat was evaluated by monitoring treatment-emergent adverse events, suicide risk, vital signs, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests. Pharmacokinetics of zagociguat were assessed through blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Pharmacodynamic effects of zagociguat were evaluated with central nervous system (CNS) tests and pharmaco-electroencephalography. Zagociguat was well-tolerated across all doses evaluated. Zagociguat exposures increased in a dose-proportional manner. Median time to maximum concentration ranged from 0.8 to 5 h and mean terminal half-life from 52.8 to 67.1 h. CNS penetration of the compound was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Zagociguat induced up to 6.1 mmHg reduction in mean systolic and up to 7.5 mmHg reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure. No consistent pharmacodynamic (PD) effects on neurocognitive function were observed. Zagociguat was well-tolerated, CNS-penetrant, and demonstrated PD activity consistent with other sGC stimulators. The results of this study support further development of zagociguat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pim Gal
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Francis Dijkstra
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Geert Jan Groeneveld
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
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9
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Mace EH, Kimlinger MJ, Billings FT, Lopez MG. Targeting Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase during Ischemia and Reperfusion. Cells 2023; 12:1903. [PMID: 37508567 PMCID: PMC10378692 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemia and reperfusion (IR) damage organs and contribute to many disease states. Few effective treatments exist that attenuate IR injury. The augmentation of nitric oxide (NO) signaling remains a promising therapeutic target for IR injury. NO binds to soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) to regulate vasodilation, maintain endothelial barrier integrity, and modulate inflammation through the production of cyclic-GMP in vascular smooth muscle. Pharmacologic sGC stimulators and activators have recently been developed. In preclinical studies, sGC stimulators, which augment the reduced form of sGC, and activators, which activate the oxidized non-NO binding form of sGC, increase vasodilation and decrease cardiac, cerebral, renal, pulmonary, and hepatic injury following IR. These effects may be a result of the improved regulation of perfusion and decreased oxidative injury during IR. sGC stimulators are now used clinically to treat some chronic conditions such as heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Clinical trials of sGC activators have been terminated secondary to adverse side effects including hypotension. Additional clinical studies to investigate the effects of sGC stimulation and activation during acute conditions, such as IR, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric H Mace
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Medical Center North, Suite CCC-4312, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-2730, USA
| | - Melissa J Kimlinger
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 428 Eskind Family Biomedical Library and Learning Center, Nashville, TN 37240-0002, USA
| | - Frederic T Billings
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Medical Arts Building, Suite 422, 1211 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212-1750, USA
| | - Marcos G Lopez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Medical Arts Building, Suite 422, 1211 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212-1750, USA
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10
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Cipolla MJ, Alkayed NJ. Vascular Biology of Dementia. Stroke 2023; 54:646-647. [PMID: 36848429 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.042298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn J Cipolla
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington (M.J.C.).,Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington (M.J.C.)
| | - Nabil J Alkayed
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR (N.J.A.)
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11
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Abstract
eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) is critically important enzyme responsible for regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis. Under physiological conditions, constitutive eNOS activity and production of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) exert essential neurovascular protective functions. In this review, we first discuss the roles of endothelial NO in prevention of neuronal amyloid accumulation and formation of neurofibrillary tangles, hallmarks of Alzheimer disease pathology. Next, we review existing evidence suggesting that NO released from endothelium prevents activation of microglia, stimulates glycolysis in astrocytes, and increases biogenesis of mitochondria. We also address major risk factors for cognitive impairment including aging and ApoE4 (apolipoprotein 4) genotype with focus on their detrimental effects on eNOS/NO signaling. Relevant to this review, recent studies suggested that aged eNOS heterozygous mice are unique model of spontaneous cerebral small vessel disease. In this regard, we review contribution of dysfunctional eNOS to deposition of Aβ (amyloid-β) into blood vessel wall leading to development of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. We conclude that endothelial dysfunction manifested by the loss of neurovascular protective functions of NO may significantly contribute to development of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvonimir S. Katusic
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
| | - Livius V. d’Uscio
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
| | - Tongrong He
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
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12
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Anti-Atherosclerotic Action of a New Stimulator of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase in an Experiment. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 174:333-336. [PMID: 36723753 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05703-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We studied the effect of an indolinone derivative GRS on the development of experimental atherosclerosis in C57BL/6 mice. Atherosclerosis was modeled by intraperitoneal administration of endothelial lipoprotein lipase inhibitor Kolliphor P 407 micro Geismar over 5 months. GRS was administered orally in a dose of 10 mg/kg once a day throughout the experiment. In 5 months, the levels of total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides in blood serum, as well as histological composition of the ascending aorta were studied. In mice with experimental atherosclerosis, we observed pronounced dyslipidemia with an increase in serum cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides and accumulation of xanthoma cells in the aorta wall. Repeat administration of GRS did not eliminate dyslipidemia, but prevented an increase in the number of xanthoma cells in the aorta wall (p<0.05). The stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase GRS did not exhibit hypolipidemic activity, but restored impaired endothelial function in the atherosclerosis model and prevented atherosclerotic damage to blood vessels and vascular wall remodeling.
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Jehle A, Garaschuk O. The Interplay between cGMP and Calcium Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7048. [PMID: 35806059 PMCID: PMC9266933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger and a key molecule in many important signaling cascades in the body and brain, including phototransduction, olfaction, vasodilation, and functional hyperemia. Additionally, cGMP is involved in long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular correlate of learning and memory, and recent studies have identified the cGMP-increasing drug Sildenafil as a potential risk modifier in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD development is accompanied by a net increase in the expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthases but a decreased activity of soluble guanylate cyclases, so the exact sign and extent of AD-mediated imbalance remain unclear. Moreover, human patients and mouse models of the disease present with entangled deregulation of both cGMP and Ca2+ signaling, e.g., causing changes in cGMP-mediated Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores as well as Ca2+-mediated cGMP production. Still, the mechanisms governing such interplay are poorly understood. Here, we review the recent data on mechanisms underlying the brain cGMP signaling and its interconnection with Ca2+ signaling. We also discuss the recent evidence stressing the importance of such interplay for normal brain function as well as in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Garaschuk
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany;
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