1
|
Yang X, Huang YWA, Marshall J. Targeting TrkB-PSD-95 coupling to mitigate neurological disorders. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:715-724. [PMID: 38886937 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-02000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling plays a pivotal role in dendritic growth and dendritic spine formation to promote learning and memory. The activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor at synapses binds to pre- or postsynaptic TrkB resulting in the strengthening of synapses, reflected by long-term potentiation. Postsynaptically, the association of postsynaptic density protein-95 with TrkB enhances phospholipase Cγ-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling required for long-term potentiation. In this review, we discuss TrkB-postsynaptic density protein-95 coupling as a promising strategy to magnify brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling towards the development of novel therapeutics for specific neurological disorders. A reduction of TrkB signaling has been observed in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease, and enhancement of postsynaptic density protein-95 association with TrkB signaling could mitigate the observed deficiency of neuronal connectivity in schizophrenia and depression. Treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor is problematic, due to poor pharmacokinetics, low brain penetration, and side effects resulting from activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor or the truncated TrkB.T1 isoform. Although TrkB agonists and antibodies that activate TrkB are being intensively investigated, they cannot distinguish the multiple human TrkB splicing isoforms or cell type-specific functions. Targeting TrkB-postsynaptic density protein-95 coupling provides an alternative approach to specifically boost TrkB signaling at localized synaptic sites versus global stimulation that risks many adverse side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Alvin Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science and Brown Institute for Translational Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - John Marshall
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Medeiros D, Ayala-Baylon K, Egido-Betancourt H, Miller E, Chapleau C, Robinson H, Phillips ML, Yang T, Longo FM, Li W, Pozzo-Miller L. A small-molecule TrkB ligand improves dendritic spine phenotypes and atypical behaviors in female Rett syndrome mice. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050612. [PMID: 38785269 PMCID: PMC11139040 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050612] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in MECP2, which encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein 2, a transcriptional regulator of many genes, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF levels are lower in multiple brain regions of Mecp2-deficient mice, and experimentally increasing BDNF levels improve atypical phenotypes in Mecp2 mutant mice. Due to the low blood-brain barrier permeability of BDNF itself, we tested the effects of LM22A-4, a brain-penetrant, small-molecule ligand of the BDNF receptor TrkB (encoded by Ntrk2), on dendritic spine density and form in hippocampal pyramidal neurons and on behavioral phenotypes in female Mecp2 heterozygous (HET) mice. A 4-week systemic treatment of Mecp2 HET mice with LM22A-4 restored spine volume in MeCP2-expressing neurons to wild-type (WT) levels, whereas spine volume in MeCP2-lacking neurons remained comparable to that in neurons from female WT mice. Female Mecp2 HET mice engaged in aggressive behaviors more than WT mice, the levels of which were reduced to WT levels by the 4-week LM22A-4 treatment. These data provide additional support to the potential usefulness of novel therapies not only for RTT but also to other BDNF-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Destynie Medeiros
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Karen Ayala-Baylon
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Hailey Egido-Betancourt
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Eric Miller
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Christopher Chapleau
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Holly Robinson
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mary L. Phillips
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Frank M. Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lucas Pozzo-Miller
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pramanik S, Bala A, Pradhan A. Zebrafish in understanding molecular pathophysiology, disease modeling, and developing effective treatments for Rett syndrome. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3677. [PMID: 38380785 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3677] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare but dreadful X-linked genetic disease that mainly affects young girls. It is a neurological disease that affects nerve cell development and function, resulting in severe motor and intellectual disabilities. To date, no cure is available for treating this disease. In 90% of the cases, RTT is caused by a mutation in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a transcription factor involved in the repression and activation of transcription. MECP2 is known to regulate several target genes and is involved in different physiological functions. Mouse models exhibit a broad range of phenotypes in recapitulating human RTT symptoms; however, understanding the disease mechanisms remains incomplete, and many potential RTT treatments developed in mouse models have not shown translational effectiveness in human trials. Recent data hint that the zebrafish model emulates similar disrupted neurological functions following mutation of the mecp2 gene. This suggests that zebrafish can be used to understand the onset and progression of RTT pathophysiology and develop a possible cure. In this review, we elaborate on the molecular basis of RTT pathophysiology in humans and model organisms, including rodents and zebrafish, focusing on the zebrafish model to understand the molecular pathophysiology and the development of therapeutic strategies for RTT. Finally, we propose a rational treatment strategy, including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA technology and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Asis Bala
- Pharmacology and Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences; Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), An Autonomous Institute Under - Department of Science & Technology (Govt. of India) Vigyan Path, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ajay Pradhan
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Medeiros D, Ayala-Baylon K, Egido-Betancourt H, Miller E, Chapleau CA, Robinson HA, Phillips ML, Yang T, Longo F, Li W, Pozzo-Miller L. A small-molecule TrkB ligand improves dendritic spine phenotypes and atypical behaviors in female Rett syndrome mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.09.566435. [PMID: 37986936 PMCID: PMC10659425 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.09.566435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 (MECP2), encoding a transcriptional regulator of many genes, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). BDNF mRNA and protein levels are lower in RTT autopsy brains and in multiple brain regions of Mecp2-deficient mice, and experimentally increasing BDNF levels improve atypical phenotypes in Mecp2 mutant mice. Due to the low blood-brain barrier permeability of BDNF itself, we tested the effects of a brain penetrant, small molecule ligand of its TrkB receptors. Applied in vitro, LM22A-4 increased dendritic spine density in pyramidal neurons in cultured hippocampal slices from postnatal day (P) 7 male Mecp2 knockout (KO) mice as much as recombinant BDNF, and both effects were prevented by the TrkB receptor inhibitors K-252a and ANA-12. Consistent with its partial agonist activity, LM22A-4 did not affect spine density in CA1 pyramidal neurons in slice cultures from male wildtype (WT) mice, where typical BDNF levels outcompete its binding to TrkB. To identify neurons of known genotypes in the "mosaic" brain of female Mecp2 heterozygous (HET) mice, we treated 4-6-month-old female MeCP2-GFP WT and HET mice with peripheral injections of LM22A-4 for 4 weeks. Surprisingly, mutant neurons lacking MeCP2-GFP showed dendritic spine volumes comparable to that in WT controls, while MeCP2-GFP-expressing neurons showed larger spines, similar to the phenotype we described in symptomatic male Mecp2 KO mice where all neurons lack MeCP2. Consistent with this non-cell-autonomous mechanism, a 4-week systemic treatment with LM22A-4 had an effect only in MeCP2-GFP-expressing neurons in female Mecp2 HET mice, bringing dendritic spine volumes down to WT control levels, and without affecting spines of MeCP2-GFP-lacking neurons. At the behavioral level, we found that female Mecp2 HET mice engaged in aggressive behaviors significantly more than WT controls, which were reduced to WT levels by a 4-week systemic treatment with LM22A-4. Altogether, these data revealed differences in dendritic spine size and altered behaviors in Mecp2 HET mice, while providing support to the potential usefulness of BDNF-related therapeutic approaches such as the partial TrkB agonist LM22A-4.
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou X, Jian W, Luo Q, Zheng W, Deng X, Wang X, Borkhuu O, Ji C, Li D, Fang L. Circular RNA_0006014 promotes breast cancer progression through sponging miR-885-3p to regulate NTRK2 and PIK3/AKT pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:3105-3128. [PMID: 35383130 PMCID: PMC9037253 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Numerous reports have demonstrated that circRNAs play an essential role in regulating the biological characteristics of breast cancer. However, there are currently no reports regarding the role of hsa_circ_0006014 in breast cancer. In this study, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_0006014 and related genes. MTT, colony formation and Transwell assays were used to explore the potential biological functions of hsa_circ_0006014 in breast cancer cells. Western blotting was used to explore the potential molecular mechanisms involving hsa_circ_0006014. In vivo experiments were used to evaluate the influence of hsa_circ_0006014 on animal tumors. In this study, we found higher expression of hsa_circ_0006014 in breast tumor samples than in matched adjacent normal samples, and its expression was positively correlated with histological grade (grade iii). Phenotypically, hsa_circ_0006014 promoted the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, there were confirmed binding sites between hsa_circ_0006014 and miR-885-3p, and hsa_circ_0006014 promoted breast cancer cell proliferation partially by sponging miR-885-3p and influenced CDK2/CCNE1 and CDK4/6/CCND1. Furthermore, we found that hsa_circ_0006014 regulated NTRK2 through miR-885-3p to modulate the PIK3/AKT signaling pathway. Our results demonstrated that hsa_circ_0006014 promotes breast cancer progression by sponging miR-885-3p to regulate the NTRK2/PIK3CA/AKT axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiqian Zhou
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wei Jian
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Qifeng Luo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wenfang Zheng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xiaochong Deng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xuehui Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Oyungerel Borkhuu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Changle Ji
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Dengfeng Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lin Fang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li W. Excitation and Inhibition Imbalance in Rett Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:825063. [PMID: 35250460 PMCID: PMC8894599 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.825063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A loss of the excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance in the neural circuit has emerged as a common neuropathological feature in many neurodevelopmental disorders. Rett syndrome (RTT), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1:10,000-15,000 women globally, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the Methyl-CpG-binding Protein-2 (Mecp2) gene. E/I imbalance is recognized as the leading cellular and synaptic hallmark that is fundamental to diverse RTT neurological symptoms, including stereotypic hand movements, impaired motor coordination, breathing irregularities, seizures, and learning/memory dysfunctions. E/I balance in RTT is not homogeneously altered but demonstrates brain region and cell type specificity instead. In this review, I elaborate on the current understanding of the loss of E/I balance in a range of brain areas at molecular and cellular levels. I further describe how the underlying cellular mechanisms contribute to the disturbance of the proper E/I ratio. Last, I discuss current pharmacologic innervations for RTT and their role in modifying the E/I balance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ramirez JM, Karlen-Amarante M, Wang JDJ, Huff A, Burgraff N. Breathing disturbances in Rett syndrome. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 189:139-151. [PMID: 36031301 PMCID: PMC10029146 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91532-8.00018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Rett Syndrome is an X-linked neurological disorder characterized by behavioral and neurological regression, seizures, motor deficits, and dysautonomia. A particularly prominent presentation includes breathing abnormalities characterized by breathing irregularities, hyperventilation, repetitive breathholding during wakefulness, obstructive and central apneas during sleep, and abnormal responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. The condition and pathology of the respiratory system is further complicated by dysfunctions of breathing-motor coordination, which is reflected in dysphagia. The discovery of the X-linked mutations in the MECP2 gene has transformed our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are at the root of various clinical phenotypes. However, the genotype-phenotype relationship is complicated by various factors which include not only X-inactivation but also consequences of the intermittent hypoxia and oxidative stress associated with the breathing abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Marlusa Karlen-Amarante
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jia-Der Ju Wang
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nicholas Burgraff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gonzalez S, McHugh TLM, Yang T, Syriani W, Massa SM, Longo FM, Simmons DA. Small molecule modulation of TrkB and TrkC neurotrophin receptors prevents cholinergic neuron atrophy in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model at an advanced pathological stage. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105563. [PMID: 34838668 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) and vertical diagonal band (VDB) along with their connections is a key pathological event leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aberrant neurotrophin signaling via Trks and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) contributes importantly to BFCN dystrophy. While NGF/TrkA signaling has received the most attention in this regard, TrkB and TrkC signaling also provide trophic support to BFCNs and these receptors may be well located to preserve BFCN connectivity. We previously identified a small molecule TrkB/TrkC ligand, LM22B-10, that promotes cell survival and neurite outgrowth in vitro and activates TrkB/TrkC signaling in the hippocampus of aged mice when given intranasally, but shows poor oral bioavailability. An LM22B-10 derivative, PTX-BD10-2, with improved oral bioavailability has been developed and this study examined its effects on BFCN atrophy in the hAPPLond/Swe (APPL/S) AD mouse model. Oral delivery of PTX-BD10-2 was started after appreciable amyloid and cholinergic pathology was present to parallel the clinical context, as most AD patients start treatment at advanced pathological stages. PTX-BD10-2 restored cholinergic neurite integrity in the NBM and VDB, and reduced NBM neuronal atrophy in symptomatic APPL/S mice. Dystrophy of cholinergic neurites in BF target regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, was also reduced with treatment. Finally, PTX-BD10-2 reduced NBM tau pathology and improved the survival of cholinergic neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) after amyloid-β exposure. These data provide evidence that targeting TrkB and TrkC signaling with PTX-BD10-2 may be an effective disease-modifying strategy for combating cholinergic dysfunction in AD. The potential for clinical translation is further supported by the compound's reduction of AD-related degenerative processes that have progressed beyond early stages and its neuroprotective effects in human iPSC-derived cholinergic neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selena Gonzalez
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tyne L M McHugh
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Wassim Syriani
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Stephen M Massa
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Computational Neurochemistry and Drug Discovery, Veterans Affairs Health Care System and Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States of America
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Danielle A Simmons
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hooper KM, Justice MJ, Patton EE. Developmental disorders Journal Meeting: a collaboration between Development and Disease Models & Mechanisms. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:272141. [PMID: 34515289 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty M Hooper
- The Company of Biologists, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LF, UK
| | - Monica J Justice
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit and Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ortiz-Romero P, González-Simón A, Egea G, Pérez-Jurado LA, Campuzano V. Co-Treatment With Verapamil and Curcumin Attenuates the Behavioral Alterations Observed in Williams-Beuren Syndrome Mice by Regulation of MAPK Pathway and Microglia Overexpression. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:670785. [PMID: 34413771 PMCID: PMC8369570 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.670785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a distinctive cognitive phenotype for which there are currently no effective treatments. We investigated the progression of behavioral deficits present in WBS complete deletion (CD) mice, after chronic treatment with curcumin, verapamil, and a combination of both. These compounds have been proven to have beneficial effects over different cognitive aspects of various murine models and, thus, may have neuroprotective effects in WBS. Treatment was administered orally dissolved in drinking water. A set of behavioral tests demonstrated the efficiency of combinatorial treatment. Some histological and molecular analyses were performed to analyze the effects of treatment and its underlying mechanism. CD mice showed an increased density of activated microglia in the motor cortex and CA1 hippocampal region, which was prevented by co-treatment. Behavioral improvement correlated with the molecular recovery of several affected pathways regarding MAPK signaling, in tight relation to the control of synaptic transmission, and inflammation. Therefore, the results show that co-treatment prevented behavioral deficits by recovering altered gene expression in the cortex of CD mice and reducing activated microglia. These findings unravel the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of this novel treatment on behavioral deficits observed in CD mice and suggest that the combination of curcumin and verapamil could be a potential candidate to treat the cognitive impairments in WBS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ortiz-Romero
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro González-Simón
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, IDIBAPS-UB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis A Pérez-Jurado
- Unitat de Genètica, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain.,Servei de Genètica, Hospital del Mar, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|