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Becchetti A, Grandi LC, Cerina M, Amadeo A. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and epilepsy. Pharmacol Res 2023; 189:106698. [PMID: 36796465 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in understanding the causes of epilepsy, especially the genetic, comprehending the biological mechanisms that lead to the epileptic phenotype remains difficult. A paradigmatic case is constituted by the epilepsies caused by altered neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which exert complex physiological functions in mature as well as developing brain. The ascending cholinergic projections exert potent control of forebrain excitability, and wide evidence implicates nAChR dysregulation as both cause and effect of epileptiform activity. First, tonic-clonic seizures are triggered by administration of high doses of nicotinic agonists, whereas non-convulsive doses have kindling effects. Second, sleep-related epilepsy can be caused by mutations on genes encoding nAChR subunits widely expressed in the forebrain (CHRNA4, CHRNB2, CHRNA2). Third, in animal models of acquired epilepsy, complex time-dependent alterations in cholinergic innervation are observed following repeated seizures. Heteromeric nAChRs are central players in epileptogenesis. Evidence is wide for autosomal dominant sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (ADSHE). Studies of ADSHE-linked nAChR subunits in expression systems suggest that the epileptogenic process is promoted by overactive receptors. Investigation in animal models of ADSHE indicates that expression of mutant nAChRs can lead to lifelong hyperexcitability by altering i) the function of GABAergic populations in the mature neocortex and thalamus, ii) synaptic architecture during synaptogenesis. Understanding the balance of the epileptogenic effects in adult and developing networks is essential to plan rational therapy at different ages. Combining this knowledge with a deeper understanding of the functional and pharmacological properties of individual mutations will advance precision and personalized medicine in nAChR-dependent epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Becchetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy.
| | - Laura Clara Grandi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy.
| | - Marta Cerina
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy.
| | - Alida Amadeo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy.
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Giovenale AMG, Ruotolo G, Soriano AA, Turco EM, Rotundo G, Casamassa A, D’Anzi A, Vescovi AL, Rosati J. Deepening the understanding of CNVs on chromosome 15q11-13 by using hiPSCs: An overview. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1107881. [PMID: 36684422 PMCID: PMC9852989 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1107881] [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: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The human α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene (CHRNA7) is widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This receptor is implicated in both brain development and adult neurogenesis thanks to its ability to mediate acetylcholine stimulus (Ach). Copy number variations (CNVs) of CHRNA7 gene have been identified in humans and are genetically linked to cognitive impairments associated with multiple disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and others. Currently, α7 receptor analysis has been commonly performed in animal models due to the impossibility of direct investigation of the living human brain. But the use of model systems has shown that there are very large differences between humans and mice when researchers must study the CNVs and, in particular, the CNV of chromosome 15q13.3 where the CHRNA7 gene is present. In fact, human beings present genomic alterations as well as the presence of genes of recent origin that are not present in other model systems as well as they show a very heterogeneous symptomatology that is associated with both their genetic background and the environment where they live. To date, the induced pluripotent stem cells, obtained from patients carrying CNV in CHRNA7 gene, are a good in vitro model for studying the association of the α7 receptor to human diseases. In this review, we will outline the current state of hiPSCs technology applications in neurological diseases caused by CNVs in CHRNA7 gene. Furthermore, we will discuss some weaknesses that emerge from the overall analysis of the published articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Maria Giada Giovenale
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy,Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ruotolo
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy,Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Amata Amy Soriano
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Elisa Maria Turco
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Giovannina Rotundo
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Alessia Casamassa
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Angela D’Anzi
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Angelo Luigi Vescovi
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy,Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy,*Correspondence: Jessica Rosati, ; Angelo Luigi Vescovi,
| | - Jessica Rosati
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy,*Correspondence: Jessica Rosati, ; Angelo Luigi Vescovi,
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Sanders VR, Sweeney A, Topf M, Millar NS. Stoichiometry-Selective Antagonism of α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1805-1817. [PMID: 35657695 PMCID: PMC9204775 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Quinolone antibiotics
disrupt bacterial DNA synthesis by interacting
with DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. However, in addition, they have
been shown to act as inhibitors of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels
such as GABAA receptors and the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine
receptor (nAChR). In the present study, we have examined the effects
of quinolone antibiotics on the human α4β2 nAChR, an important
subtype that is widely expressed in the central nervous system. A
key feature of α4β2 nAChRs is their ability to coassemble
into two distinct stoichiometries, (α4)2(β2)3 and (α4)3(β2)2, which results in differing affinities for acetylcholine.
The effects of nine quinolone antibiotics were examined on both stoichiometries
of the α4β2 receptor by two-electrode voltage-clamp recording.
All compounds exhibited significant inhibition of α4β2
nAChRs. However, all of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics examined (ciprofloxacin,
enoxacin, enrofloxacin, difloxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, and sparfloxacin)
were significantly more potent inhibitors of (α4)2(β2)3 nAChRs than of (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs. This stoichiometry-selective effect was most pronounced
with pefloxacin, which inhibited (α4)2(β2)3 nAChRs with an IC50 of 26.4 ± 3.4 μM
but displayed no significant inhibition of (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs. In contrast, two nonfluorinated quinolone antibiotics
(cinoxacin and oxolinic acid) exhibited no selectivity in their inhibition
of the two stoichiometries of α4β2. Computational docking
studies suggest that pefloxacin interacts selectively with an allosteric
transmembrane site at the β2(+)/β2(−) subunit interface,
which is consistent with its selective inhibition of (α4)2(β2)3. These findings concerning the antagonist
effects of fluoroquinolones provide further evidence that differences
in the subunit stoichiometry of heteromeric nAChRs can result in substantial
differences in pharmacological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria R. Sanders
- Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Sweeney
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Topf
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
| | - Neil S. Millar
- Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
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Acute effects of the imidacloprid metabolite desnitro-imidacloprid on human nACh receptors relevant for neuronal signaling. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:3695-3716. [PMID: 34628512 PMCID: PMC8536575 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03168-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several neonicotinoids have recently been shown to activate the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on human neurons. Moreover, imidacloprid (IMI) and other members of this pesticide family form a set of diverse metabolites within crops. Among these, desnitro-imidacloprid (DN-IMI) is of special toxicological interest, as there is evidence (i) for human dietary exposure to this metabolite, (ii) and that DN-IMI is a strong trigger of mammalian nicotinic responses. We set out here to quantify responses of human nAChRs to DN-IMI and an alternative metabolite, IMI-olefin. To evaluate toxicological hazards, these data were then compared to those of IMI and nicotine. Ca2+-imaging experiments on human neurons showed that DN-IMI exhibits an agonistic effect on nAChRs at sub-micromolar concentrations (equipotent with nicotine) while IMI-olefin activated the receptors less potently (in a similar range as IMI). Direct experimental data on the interaction with defined receptor subtypes were obtained by heterologous expression of various human nAChR subtypes in Xenopus laevis oocytes and measurement of the transmembrane currents evoked by exposure to putative ligands. DN-IMI acted on the physiologically important human nAChR subtypes α7, α3β4, and α4β2 (high-sensitivity variant) with similar potency as nicotine. IMI and IMI-olefin were confirmed as nAChR agonists, although with 2–3 orders of magnitude lower potency. Molecular docking studies, using receptor models for the α7 and α4β2 nAChR subtypes supported an activity of DN-IMI similar to that of nicotine. In summary, these data suggest that DN-IMI functionally affects human neurons similar to the well-established neurotoxicant nicotine by triggering α7 and several non-α7 nAChRs.
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Kutschenko A, Staege S, Grütz K, Glaß H, Kalmbach N, Gschwendtberger T, Henkel LM, Heine J, Grünewald A, Hermann A, Seibler P, Wegner F. Functional and Molecular Properties of DYT-SGCE Myoclonus-Dystonia Patient-Derived Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3565. [PMID: 33808167 PMCID: PMC8037318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus-dystonia (DYT-SGCE, formerly DYT11) is characterized by alcohol-sensitive, myoclonic-like appearance of fast dystonic movements. It is caused by mutations in the SGCE gene encoding ε-sarcoglycan leading to a dysfunction of this transmembrane protein, alterations in the cerebello-thalamic pathway and impaired striatal plasticity. To elucidate underlying pathogenic mechanisms, we investigated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) from two myoclonus-dystonia patients carrying a heterozygous mutation in the SGCE gene (c.298T>G and c.304C>T with protein changes W100G and R102X) in comparison to two matched healthy control lines. Calcium imaging showed significantly elevated basal intracellular Ca2+ content and lower frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ signals in SGCE MSNs. Blocking of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by verapamil was less efficient in suppressing KCl-induced Ca2+ peaks of SGCE MSNs. Ca2+ amplitudes upon glycine and acetylcholine applications were increased in SGCE MSNs, but not after GABA or glutamate applications. Expression of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and most ionotropic receptor subunits was not altered. SGCE MSNs showed significantly reduced GABAergic synaptic density. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings displayed elevated amplitudes of miniature postsynaptic currents and action potentials in SGCE MSNs. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for myoclonus-dystonia.
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Grants
- Karlheinz-Hartmann-Stiftung (Hannover, Germany), Ellen-Schmidt-Program (Hannover, Germany), Hermann and Lilly Schilling Stiftung für medizinische Forschung im Stifterverband, German Research Foundation (FOR2488) Karlheinz-Hartmann-Stiftung (Hannover, Germany), Ellen-Schmidt-Program (Hannover, Germany), Hermann and Lilly Schilling Stiftung für medizinische Forschung im Stifterverband, German Research Foundation (FOR2488)
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kutschenko
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Selma Staege
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Karen Grütz
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany; (K.G.); (A.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Hannes Glaß
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (H.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Norman Kalmbach
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Thomas Gschwendtberger
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa M. Henkel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johanne Heine
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Anne Grünewald
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany; (K.G.); (A.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (H.G.); (A.H.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany; (K.G.); (A.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.K.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (T.G.); (L.M.H.); (J.H.)
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Loser D, Hinojosa MG, Blum J, Schaefer J, Brüll M, Johansson Y, Suciu I, Grillberger K, Danker T, Möller C, Gardner I, Ecker GF, Bennekou SH, Forsby A, Kraushaar U, Leist M. Functional alterations by a subgroup of neonicotinoid pesticides in human dopaminergic neurons. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2081-2107. [PMID: 33778899 PMCID: PMC8166715 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03031-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neonicotinoid pesticides, originally developed to target the insect nervous system, have been reported to interact with human receptors and to activate rodent neurons. Therefore, we evaluated in how far these compounds may trigger signaling in human neurons, and thus, affect the human adult or developing nervous system. We used SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as established model of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) signaling. In parallel, we profiled dopaminergic neurons, generated from LUHMES neuronal precursor cells, as novel system to study nAChR activation in human post-mitotic neurons. Changes of the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were used as readout, and key findings were confirmed by patch clamp recordings. Nicotine triggered typical neuronal signaling responses that were blocked by antagonists, such as tubocurarine and mecamylamine. Pharmacological approaches suggested a functional expression of α7 and non-α7 nAChRs on LUHMES cells. In this novel test system, the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiacloprid, but not thiamethoxam and dinotefuran, triggered [Ca2+]i signaling at 10-100 µM. Strong synergy of the active neonicotinoids (at low micromolar concentrations) with the α7 nAChR-positive allosteric modulator PNU-120596 was observed in LUHMES and SH-SY5Y cells, and specific antagonists fully inhibited such signaling. To provide a third line of evidence for neonicotinoid signaling via nAChR, we studied cross-desensitization: pretreatment of LUHMES and SH-SY5Y cells with active neonicotinoids (at 1-10 µM) blunted the signaling response of nicotine. The pesticides (at 3-30 µM) also blunted the response to the non-α7 agonist ABT 594 in LUHMES cells. These data show that human neuronal cells are functionally affected by low micromolar concentrations of several neonicotinoids. An effect of such signals on nervous system development is a toxicological concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maria G Hinojosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Blum
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jasmin Schaefer
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ylva Johansson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Karin Grillberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timm Danker
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Clemens Möller
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Iain Gardner
- CERTARA UK Limited, Simcyp Division, Level 2-Acero, 1 Concourse Way, Sheffield, S1 2BJ, UK
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Anna Forsby
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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Lara CO, Burgos CF, Moraga-Cid G, Carrasco MA, Yévenes GE. Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels as Pharmacological Targets Against Chronic Pain. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32218730 PMCID: PMC7079299 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common detrimental condition that affects around 20% of the world population. The current drugs to treat chronic pain states, especially neuropathic pain, have a limited clinical efficiency and present significant adverse effects that complicates their regular use. Recent studies have proposed new therapeutic strategies focused on the pharmacological modulation of G-protein-coupled receptors, transporters, enzymes, and ion channels expressed on the nociceptive pathways. The present work intends to summarize recent advances on the pharmacological modulation of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, which plays a key role in pain processing. Experimental data have shown that novel allosteric modulators targeting the excitatory nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, as well as the inhibitory GABAA and glycine receptors, reverse chronic pain-related behaviors in preclinical assays. Collectively, these evidences strongly suggest the pharmacological modulation of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels is a promising strategy towards the development of novel therapeutics to treat chronic pain states in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- César O Lara
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Carlos F Burgos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Gustavo Moraga-Cid
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Mónica A Carrasco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Gonzalo E Yévenes
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
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8
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Hone AJ, Rueda-Ruzafa L, Gordon TJ, Gajewiak J, Christensen S, Dyhring T, Albillos A, McIntosh JM. Expression of α3β2β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by rat adrenal chromaffin cells determined using novel conopeptide antagonists. J Neurochem 2020; 154:158-176. [PMID: 31967330 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Adrenal chromaffin cells release neurotransmitters in response to stress and may be involved in conditions such as post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders. Neurotransmitter release is triggered, in part, by activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). However, despite decades of use as a model system for studying exocytosis, the nAChR subtypes involved have not been pharmacologically identified. Quantitative real-time PCR of rat adrenal medulla revealed an abundance of mRNAs for α3, α7, β2, and β4 subunits. Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology of chromaffin cells and subtype-selective ligands were used to probe for nAChRs derived from the mRNAs found in adrenal medulla. A novel conopeptide antagonist, PeIA-5469, was created that is highly selective for α3β2 over other nAChR subtypes heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Experiments using PeIA-5469 and the α3β4-selective α-conotoxin TxID revealed that rat adrenal medulla contain two populations of chromaffin cells that express either α3β4 nAChRs alone or α3β4 together with the α3β2β4 subtype. Conclusions were derived from observations that acetylcholine-gated currents in some cells were sensitive to inhibition by PeIA-5469 and TxID, while in other cells, currents were sensitive only to TxID. Expression of functional α7 nAChRs was determined using three α7-selective ligands: the agonist PNU282987, the positive allosteric modulator PNU120596, and the antagonist α-conotoxin [V11L,V16D]ArIB. The results of these studies identify for the first time the expression of α3β2β4 nAChRs as well as functional α7 nAChRs by rat adrenal chromaffin cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arik J Hone
- George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,School of Biological Sciences and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Departament of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lola Rueda-Ruzafa
- Departament of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Thomas J Gordon
- School of Biological Sciences and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- School of Biological Sciences and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sean Christensen
- School of Biological Sciences and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Almudena Albillos
- Departament of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Michael McIntosh
- George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,School of Biological Sciences and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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9
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Sinha N, Karche NP, Verma MK, Walunj SS, Nigade PB, Jana G, Kurhade SP, Hajare AK, Tilekar AR, Jadhav GR, Thube BR, Shaikh JS, Balgude S, Singh LB, Mahimane V, Adurkar SK, Hatnapure G, Raje F, Bhosale Y, Bhanage D, Sachchidanand S, Dixit R, Gupta R, Bokare AM, Dandekar M, Bharne A, Chatterjee M, Desai S, Koul S, Modi D, Mehta M, Patil V, Singh M, Gundu J, Goel RN, Shah C, Sharma S, Bakhle D, Kamboj RK, Palle VP. Discovery of Novel, Potent, Brain-Permeable, and Orally Efficacious Positive Allosteric Modulator of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor [4-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-propionylthiophen-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide]: Structure-Activity Relationship and Preclinical Characterization. J Med Chem 2019; 63:944-960. [PMID: 31755711 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of a series of thiophenephenylsulfonamides as positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is described. Optimization of this series led to identification of compound 28, a novel PAM of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). Compound 28 showed good in vitro potency, with pharmacokinetic profile across species with excellent brain penetration and residence time. Compound 28 robustly reversed the cognitive deficits in episodic/working memory in both time-delay and scopolamine-induced amnesia paradigms in the novel object and social recognition tasks, at very low dose levels. Additionally, compound 28 has shown excellent safety profile in phase 1 clinical trials and is being evaluated for efficacy and safety as monotherapy in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelima Sinha
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Navnath P Karche
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Mahip Kalyan Verma
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sameer S Walunj
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Prashant B Nigade
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Gourhari Jana
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sanjay P Kurhade
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Anil K Hajare
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Ajay R Tilekar
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Ganesh R Jadhav
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Baban R Thube
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Javed S Shaikh
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sudhakar Balgude
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Lairikyengbam Bikramjit Singh
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Vijaya Mahimane
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Shridhar K Adurkar
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Girish Hatnapure
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Firoj Raje
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Yogesh Bhosale
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Dnyaneshwar Bhanage
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sachchidanand Sachchidanand
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Ruchi Dixit
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Rajesh Gupta
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Anand M Bokare
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Manoj Dandekar
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Ashish Bharne
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Manavi Chatterjee
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sagar Desai
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sarita Koul
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Dipak Modi
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Maneesh Mehta
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Vinod Patil
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Minakshi Singh
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Jayasagar Gundu
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Rajan N Goel
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Chirag Shah
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Sharad Sharma
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Dhananjay Bakhle
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Rajender Kumar Kamboj
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
| | - Venkata P Palle
- Novel Drug Discovery & Development , Lupin Ltd. , Lupin Research Park, Survey No. 46 A/47 A, Village Nande, Taluka Mulshi , Pune 412115 , India
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An Epilepsy-Associated KCNT1 Mutation Enhances Excitability of Human iPSC-Derived Neurons by Increasing Slack K Na Currents. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7438-7449. [PMID: 31350261 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1628-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the KCNT1 (Slack, KNa1.1) sodium-activated potassium channel produce severe epileptic encephalopathies. Expression in heterologous systems has shown that the disease-causing mutations give rise to channels that have increased current amplitude. It is not known, however, whether such gain of function occurs in human neurons, nor whether such increased KNa current is expected to suppress or increase the excitability of cortical neurons. Using genetically engineered human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons, we have now found that sodium-dependent potassium currents are increased several-fold in neurons bearing a homozygous P924L mutation. In current-clamp recordings, the increased KNa current in neurons with the P924L mutation acts to shorten the duration of action potentials and to increase the amplitude of the afterhyperpolarization that follows each action potential. Strikingly, the number of action potentials that were evoked by depolarizing currents as well as maximal firing rates were increased in neurons expressing the mutant channel. In networks of spontaneously active neurons, the mean firing rate, the occurrence of rapid bursts of action potentials, and the intensity of firing during the burst were all increased in neurons with the P924L Slack mutation. The feasibility of an increased KNa current to increase firing rates independent of any compensatory changes was validated by numerical simulations. Our findings indicate that gain-of-function in Slack KNa channels causes hyperexcitability in both isolated neurons and in neural networks and occurs by a cell-autonomous mechanism that does not require network interactions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT KCNT1 mutations lead to severe epileptic encephalopathies for which there are no effective treatments. This study is the first demonstration that a KCNT1 mutation increases the Slack current in neurons. It also provides the first explanation for how this increased potassium current induces hyperexcitability, which could be the underlining factor causing seizures.
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11
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Involvement of Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 in Nicotine's Suppression of Antiviral Immune Responses. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 14:551-564. [PMID: 31154625 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09845-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco smoke, suppresses antiviral responses. Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) regulate transcription of type I interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in this response. IRF7 is a key member of the IRF family. Expression of Irf7 is elevated in the brains of virus-infected animals, including human immunodeficiency virus-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rats. We hypothesized that IRF7 affects nicotine's modulation of antiviral responses. Using CRISPR/Cas9 system, IRF7-mutant cell lines were created from human embryonic kidney 293FT cells in which 16 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were detected. Decreased expression of IRF7 was confirmed at both the mRNA and protein levels, as was IRF7-regulated cell growth in two IRF7-mutant cell lines, designated IRF7-Δ7 and IRF7-Δ11. In IRF7-Δ7 cells, expression of two nAChR genes, CHRNA3 and CHRNA9, changed modestly. After stimulation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) (0.25 μg/ml) for 4 h to mimic viral infection, 293FT wild-type (WT) and IRF7-Δ7 cells were treated with 0, 1, or 100 μM nicotine for 24 h, which increased IFN-β expression in both types of cells but elevation was higher in WT cells (p < 0.001). Expression was significantly suppressed in WT cells (p < 0.001) but not in IRF7-Δ7 cells by 24-h nicotine exposure. Poly I:C stimulation increased mRNA expression of retinoic-acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I), melanoma-differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISG3) complex, and IFN-stimulated genes (IRF7, ISG15, IFIT1, OAS1); nicotine attenuated mRNA expression only in WT cells. Overall, IRF7 is critical to nicotine's effect on the antiviral immune response. Graphical Abstract Involvement of IRF7 in nicotine's suppression of poly I:C-induced antiviral immune responses. PAMPs, such as a synthetic viral analogue of dsRNA poly I:C attack cells, will be recognized by PRRs, and the host innate immunity against viral infection will be activated. PRRs signaling trigger phosphorylation of IRF7 and IRF3 to induce their translocation to the nucleus and result in the production of type I IFNs. Then IFNs bind to IFNAR to activate the transcription factor ISGF3, a complex consisting of STAT1, STAT2, and IRF9. Further, it induces the expression of ISGs, including IFIT1, OAS1, IRF7, ISG15, etc. Nicotine suppresses the immune responses stimulated by poly I:C. In the IRF7-mutant cells, nicotine's suppressive effects on poly I:C-stimulated immune responses were restrained.
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12
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Zwart R, Mazzo F, Sher E. Microtransplantation of human brain receptors into oocytes to tackle key questions in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2018; 24:533-543. [PMID: 30395928 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
It is important in drug discovery to demonstrate that activity of novel drugs found by screening on recombinant receptors translates to activity on native human receptors in brain areas affected by disease. In this review, we summarise the development and use of the microtransplantation technique. Native receptors are reconstituted from human brain tissues into oocytes from the frog Xenopus laevis where they can be functionally assessed. Oocytes microtransplanted with hippocampal tissue from an epileptic patient were used to demonstrate that new antiepileptic agents act on receptors in diseased tissue. Furthermore, frozen post-mortem human tissues were used to show that drugs are active on receptors in brain areas associated with a disease; but not in areas associated with side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud Zwart
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK.
| | - Francesca Mazzo
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Emanuele Sher
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
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13
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Gillentine MA, Yin J, Bajic A, Zhang P, Cummock S, Kim JJ, Schaaf CP. Functional Consequences of CHRNA7 Copy-Number Alterations in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Neural Progenitor Cells. Am J Hum Genet 2017; 101:874-887. [PMID: 29129316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Copy-number variants (CNVs) of chromosome 15q13.3 manifest clinically as neuropsychiatric disorders with variable expressivity. CHRNA7, encoding for the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), has been suggested as a candidate gene for the phenotypes observed. Here, we used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from individuals with heterozygous 15q13.3 deletions and heterozygous 15q13.3 duplications to investigate the CHRNA7-dependent molecular consequences of the respective CNVs. Unexpectedly, both deletions and duplications lead to decreased α7 nAChR-associated calcium flux. For deletions, this decrease in α7 nAChR-dependent calcium flux is expected due to haploinsufficiency of CHRNA7. For duplications, we found that increased expression of CHRNA7 mRNA is associated with higher expression of nAChR-specific and resident ER chaperones, indicating increased ER stress. This is likely a consequence of inefficient chaperoning and accumulation of α7 subunits in the ER, as opposed to being incorporated into functional α7 nAChRs at the cell membrane. Here, we showed that α7 nAChR-dependent calcium signal cascades are downregulated in both 15q13.3 deletion and duplication NPCs. While it may seem surprising that genomic changes in opposite direction have consequences on downstream pathways that are in similar direction, it aligns with clinical data, which suggest that both individuals with deletions and duplications of 15q13.3 manifest neuropsychiatric disease and cognitive deficits.
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14
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Virdee JK, Saro G, Fouillet A, Findlay J, Ferreira F, Eversden S, O'Neill MJ, Wolak J, Ursu D. A high-throughput model for investigating neuronal function and synaptic transmission in cultured neuronal networks. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14498. [PMID: 29101377 PMCID: PMC5670206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of synapses or alteration of synaptic activity is associated with cognitive impairment observed in a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore successful development of in vitro methods that can investigate synaptic function in a high-throughput format could be highly impactful for neuroscience drug discovery. We present here the development, characterisation and validation of a novel high-throughput in vitro model for assessing neuronal function and synaptic transmission in primary rodent neurons. The novelty of our approach resides in the combination of the electrical field stimulation (EFS) with data acquisition in spatially separated areas of an interconnected neuronal network. We integrated our methodology with state of the art drug discovery instrumentation (FLIPR Tetra) and used selective tool compounds to perform a systematic pharmacological validation of the model. We investigated pharmacological modulators targeting pre- and post-synaptic receptors (AMPA, NMDA, GABA-A, mGluR2/3 receptors and Nav, Cav voltage-gated ion channels) and demonstrated the ability of our model to discriminate and measure synaptic transmission in cultured neuronal networks. Application of the model described here as an unbiased phenotypic screening approach will help with our long term goals of discovering novel therapeutic strategies for treating neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmeet K Virdee
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Gabriella Saro
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Antoine Fouillet
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Jeremy Findlay
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Filipa Ferreira
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Sarah Eversden
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Michael J O'Neill
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Joanna Wolak
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Daniel Ursu
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK.
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Pairas GN, Perperopoulou F, Tsoungas PG, Varvounis G. The Isoxazole Ring and ItsN-Oxide: A Privileged Core Structure in Neuropsychiatric Therapeutics. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:408-419. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- George N. Pairas
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy; University of Patras; 265 04 Patras Greece
| | - Fereniki Perperopoulou
- Laboratory of Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology; Agricultural University of Athens; 75 Iera Odos St. 118 55 Athens Greece
| | - Petros G. Tsoungas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; 127 Vas. Sofias Ave. 115 21 Athens Greece
| | - George Varvounis
- Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry; University of Ioannina; 451 10 Ioannina Greece
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Epilepsy-associated GRIN2A mutations reduce NMDA receptor trafficking and agonist potency - molecular profiling and functional rescue. Sci Rep 2017; 7:66. [PMID: 28242877 PMCID: PMC5427847 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00115-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) gene GRIN2A cause epilepsy-aphasia syndrome (EAS), a spectrum of epileptic, cognitive and language disorders. Using bioinformatic and patient data we shortlisted 10 diverse missense mutations for characterisation. We used high-throughput calcium-flux assays and patch clamp recordings of transiently transfected HEK-293 cells for electrophysiological characterization, and Western blotting and confocal imaging to assay expression and surface trafficking. Mutations P79R, C231Y, G483R and M705V caused a significant reduction in glutamate and glycine agonist potency, whilst D731N was non-responsive. These mutants, along with E714K, also showed significantly decreased total protein levels and trafficking to the cell surface, whilst C436R was not trafficked at all. Crucially this reduced surface expression did not cause the reduced agonist response. We were able to rescue the phenotype of P79R, C231Y, G483R and M705V after treatment with a GluN2A-selective positive allosteric modulator. With our methodology we were not able to identify any functional deficits in mutations I814T, D933N and N976S located between the glutamate-binding domain and C-terminus. We show GRIN2A mutations affect the expression and function of the receptor in different ways. Careful molecular profiling of patients will be essential for future effective personalised treatment options.
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17
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Wang X, Xu M, Frank JA, Ke ZJ, Luo J. Thiamine deficiency induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress in human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 320:26-31. [PMID: 28193519 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency (TD) plays a major role in the etiology of Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) which is a severe neurological disorder. TD induces selective neuronal cell death, neuroinflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress in the brain which are commonly observed in many aging-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The progress in this line of research is hindered due to the lack of appropriate in vitro models. The neurons derived for the human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a relevant and powerful tool for the research in pharmaceutical and environmental neurotoxicity. In this study, we for the first time used human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived neurons (iCell neurons) to investigate the mechanisms of TD-induced neurodegeneration. We showed that TD caused a concentration- and duration-dependent death of iCell neurons. TD induced ER stress which was evident by the increase in ER stress markers, such as GRP78, XBP-1, CHOP, ATF-6, phosphorylated eIF2α, and cleaved caspase-12. TD also triggered oxidative stress which was shown by the increase in the expression 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). ER stress inhibitors (STF-083010 and salubrinal) and antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) were effective in alleviating TD-induced death of iCell neurons, supporting the involvement of ER stress and oxidative stress. It establishes that the iCell neurons are a novel tool to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms for TD-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Mei Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Jacqueline A Frank
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Zun-Ji Ke
- Department of Biochemistry, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China 201203
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China 201203.
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18
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Aishah A, Hinton T, Machaalani R. Cellular protein and mRNA expression of β1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit in brain, skeletal muscle and placenta. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 58:9-16. [PMID: 28153524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The β1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit is a muscle type subunit of this family and as such, is found predominantly in muscle. Recent reports document its expression in other tissues and cell lines including adrenal glands, carcinomas, lung and brain. However, the majority of studies were of tissue lysates, thus the cellular distribution was not determined. This study aimed to determine the cellular distribution of the β1 nAChR subunit in the brain, at both the mRNA and protein levels, using non-radioactive in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively, and to compare it to two muscle tissue types, skeletal and placenta. Tissue was formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (all tissue types) and frozen (placenta) from humans. Additional control tissue from the piglet and mouse brain were also studied, as was mRNA for the α3 nAChR and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 1 (NR1) subunit. We found no β1 nAChR subunit mRNA expression in the human and piglet brain despite strong protein expression. Some signal was seen in the mouse brain but considered inconclusive given the probes designed were not of 100% homology to the mouse. In the skeletal muscle and placenta tissues, β1 nAChR subunit mRNA expression was prominent and mirrored protein expression. No α3 nAChR or NR1 mRNA was seen in the skeletal muscle, as expected, although both subunit mRNAs were present in the placenta. This study concludes that further experiments are required to conclusively state that the β1 nAChR subunit is expressed in the human, piglet and mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atqiya Aishah
- Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Tina Hinton
- Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Rita Machaalani
- The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Bono F, Fiorentini C. Exploring pre-degenerative alterations in humans using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:1068-1070. [PMID: 28852384 PMCID: PMC5558481 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.211184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Bono
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of, Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorentini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of, Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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20
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Deflorio C, Blanchard S, Carisì MC, Bohl D, Maskos U. Human polymorphisms in nicotinic receptors: a functional analysis in iPS-derived dopaminergic neurons. FASEB J 2016; 31:828-839. [PMID: 27856558 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600932r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is a public health problem, with ∼5 million deaths per year, representing a heavy burden for many countries. No effective therapeutic strategies are currently available for nicotine addiction, and it is therefore crucial to understand the etiological and pathophysiological factors contributing to this addiction. The neuronal α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit is critically involved in nicotine dependence. In particular, the human polymorphism α5D398N corresponds to the strongest correlation with nicotine dependence risk found to date in occidental populations, according to meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. To understand the specific contribution of this subunit in the context of nicotine addiction, an efficient screening system for native human nAChRs is needed. We have differentiated human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons and obtained a comprehensive characterization of these neurons by quantitative RT-PCR. The functional properties of nAChRs expressed in these human DA neurons, with or without the polymorphism in the α5 subunit, were studied with the patch-clamp electrophysiological technique. Our results in human DA neurons carrying the polymorphism in the α5 subunit showed an increase in EC50, indicating that, in the presence of the polymorphism, more nicotine or acetylcholine chloride is necessary to obtain the same effect. This human cell culturing system can now be used in drug discovery approaches to screen for compounds that interact specifically with human native and polymorphic nAChRs.-Deflorio, C., Blanchard, S., Carisì, M. C., Bohl, D., Maskos, U. Human polymorphisms in nicotinic receptors: a functional analysis in iPS-derived dopaminergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Deflorio
- Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Blanchard
- Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Maria Carla Carisì
- Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Bohl
- Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière, INSERM Unité 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; .,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 3731, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; and
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21
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Fukushima K, Yamazaki K, Miyamoto N, Sawada K. Functional Characterization of Acetylcholine Receptors Expressed in Human Neurons Differentiated from Hippocampal Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 21:1065-1074. [PMID: 27572608 DOI: 10.1177/1087057116665567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurotransmission mediated by acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) plays an important role in learning and memory functions in the hippocampus. Impairment of the cholinergic system contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD), indicating the importance of AChRs as drug targets for AD. To improve the success rates for AD drug development, human cell models that mimic the target brain region are important. Therefore, we characterized the functional expression of nicotinic and muscarinic AChRs (nAChRs and mAChRs, respectively) in human hippocampal neurons differentiated from hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells (HIP-009 cells). Intracellular calcium flux in 4-week differentiated HIP-009 cells demonstrated that the cells responded to acetylcholine, nicotine, and muscarine in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 13.4 ± 0.5, 6.0 ± 0.4, and 35.0 ± 2.5 µM, respectively). In addition, assays using subtype-selective compounds revealed that major AD therapeutic target AChR subtypes-α7 and α4β2 nAChRs, as well as M1 and M3 mAChRs-were expressed in the cells. Furthermore, neuronal network analysis demonstrated that potentiation of M3 mAChRs inhibits the spontaneous firing of HIP-009 neurons. These results indicate that HIP-009 cells are physiologically relevant for AD drug screening and hence are loadstars for the establishment of in vitro AD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Fukushima
- 1 Next Generation Systems Core Function Unit, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,2 Department of Genomics-Based Drug Discovery, Doctoral Program in Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuto Yamazaki
- 1 Next Generation Systems Core Function Unit, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Norimasa Miyamoto
- 2 Department of Genomics-Based Drug Discovery, Doctoral Program in Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,3 Global Cardiovascular Assessment, Biopharmaceutical Assessment Core Function Unit, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kohei Sawada
- 2 Department of Genomics-Based Drug Discovery, Doctoral Program in Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,3 Global Cardiovascular Assessment, Biopharmaceutical Assessment Core Function Unit, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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22
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Mazzo F, Zwart R, Serratto GM, Gardinier KM, Porter W, Reel J, Maraula G, Sher E. Reconstitution of synaptic Ion channels from rodent and human brain in Xenopus oocytes: a biochemical and electrophysiological characterization. J Neurochem 2016; 138:384-96. [PMID: 27216696 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Disruption in the expression and function of synaptic proteins, and ion channels in particular, is critical in the pathophysiology of human neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. However, very little is known regarding the functional and pharmacological properties of native synaptic human ion channels, and their potential changes in pathological conditions. Recently, an electrophysiological technique has been enabled for studying the functional and pharmacological properties of ion channels present in crude membrane preparation obtained from post-mortem frozen brains. We here extend these studies by showing that human synaptic ion channels also can be studied in this way. Synaptosomes purified from different regions of rodent and human brain (control and Alzheimer's) were characterized biochemically for enrichment of synaptic proteins, and expression of ion channel subunits. The same synaptosomes were also reconstituted in Xenopus oocytes, in which the functional and pharmacological properties of the native synaptic ion channels were characterized using the voltage clamp technique. We show that we can detect GABA, (RS)-α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, and NMDA receptors, and modulate them pharmacologically with selective agonists, antagonists, and allosteric modulators. Furthermore, changes in ion channel expression and function were detected in synaptic membranes from Alzheimer's brains. Our present results demonstrate the possibility to investigate synaptic ion channels from healthy and pathological brains. This method of synaptosomes preparation and injection into oocytes is a significant improvement over the earlier method. It opens the way to directly testing, on native ion channels, the effects of novel drugs aimed at modulating important classes of synaptic targets. Disruption in the expression and function of synaptic ion channels is critical in the pathophysiology of human neurodegenerative diseases. We here show that synaptosomes purified from rodent and human frozen brain (control and Alzheimer disease) can be studied both biochemically and functionally. This method opens the way to directly testing the effects of novel drugs on native ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mazzo
- Lilly Research Centre, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6HP, UK
| | - Ruud Zwart
- Lilly Research Centre, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6HP, UK
| | - Giulia Maia Serratto
- Lilly Research Centre, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6HP, UK
| | - Kevin M Gardinier
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Warren Porter
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Jon Reel
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Giovanna Maraula
- Lilly Research Centre, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6HP, UK
| | - Emanuele Sher
- Lilly Research Centre, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6HP, UK
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Amin H, Maccione A, Marinaro F, Zordan S, Nieus T, Berdondini L. Electrical Responses and Spontaneous Activity of Human iPS-Derived Neuronal Networks Characterized for 3-month Culture with 4096-Electrode Arrays. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:121. [PMID: 27065786 PMCID: PMC4811967 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent availability of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) holds great promise as a novel source of human-derived neurons for cell and tissue therapies as well as for in vitro drug screenings that might replace the use of animal models. However, there is still a considerable lack of knowledge on the functional properties of hiPSC-derived neuronal networks, thus limiting their application. Here, upon optimization of cell culture protocols, we demonstrate that both spontaneous and evoked electrical spiking activities of these networks can be characterized on-chip by taking advantage of the resolution provided by CMOS multielectrode arrays (CMOS-MEAs). These devices feature a large and closely-spaced array of 4096 simultaneously recording electrodes and multi-site on-chip electrical stimulation. Our results show that networks of human-derived neurons can respond to electrical stimulation with a physiological repertoire of spike waveforms after 3 months of cell culture, a period of time during which the network undergoes the expression of developing patterns of spontaneous spiking activity. To achieve this, we have investigated the impact on the network formation and on the emerging network-wide functional properties induced by different biochemical substrates, i.e., poly-dl-ornithine (PDLO), poly-l-ornithine (PLO), and polyethylenimine (PEI), that were used as adhesion promoters for the cell culture. Interestingly, we found that neuronal networks grown on PDLO coated substrates show significantly higher spontaneous firing activity, reliable responses to low-frequency electrical stimuli, and an appropriate level of PSD-95 that may denote a physiological neuronal maturation profile and synapse stabilization. However, our results also suggest that even 3-month culture might not be sufficient for human-derived neuronal network maturation. Taken together, our results highlight the tight relationship existing between substrate coatings and emerging network properties, i.e., spontaneous activity, responsiveness, synapse formation and maturation. Additionally, our results provide a baseline on the functional properties expressed over 3 months of network development for a commercially available line of hiPSC-derived neurons. This is a first step toward the development of functional pre-clinical assays to test pharmaceutical compounds on human-derived neuronal networks with CMOS-MEAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder Amin
- NetS3 Laboratory, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maccione
- NetS3 Laboratory, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Marinaro
- Neurobiology of miRNA Laboratory, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Zordan
- NetS3 Laboratory, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova, Italy
| | - Thierry Nieus
- NetS3 Laboratory, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Berdondini
- NetS3 Laboratory, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova, Italy
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A Dishful of a Troubled Mind: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Psychiatric Research. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:7909176. [PMID: 26839567 PMCID: PMC4709917 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7909176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming represent powerful methods for modeling the development of neurons in vitro. Moreover, this approach is also a means for comparing various cellular phenotypes between cell lines originating from healthy and diseased individuals or isogenic cell lines engineered to differ at only one or a few genomic loci. Despite methodological constraints and initial skepticism regarding this approach, the field is expanding at a fast pace. The improvements include the development of new differentiation protocols resulting in selected neuronal populations (e.g., dopaminergic, GABAergic, hippocampal, and cortical), the widespread use of genome editing methods, and single-cell techniques. A major challenge awaiting in vitro disease modeling is the integration of clinical data in the models, by selection of well characterized clinical populations. Ideally, these models will also demonstrate how different diagnostic categories share overlapping molecular disease mechanisms, but also have unique characteristics. In this review we evaluate studies with regard to the described developments, to demonstrate how differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming can contribute to psychiatry.
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25
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Allosteric modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 97:408-417. [PMID: 26231943 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and are members of the 'Cys-loop' family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs). Acetylcholine binds in the receptor extracellular domain at the interface between two subunits and research has identified a large number of nAChR-selective ligands, including agonists and competitive antagonists, that bind at the same site as acetylcholine (commonly referred to as the orthosteric binding site). In addition, more recent research has identified ligands that are able to modulate nAChR function by binding to sites that are distinct from the binding site for acetylcholine, including sites located in the transmembrane domain. These include positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), negative allosteric modulators (NAMs), silent allosteric modulators (SAMs) and compounds that are able to activate nAChRs via an allosteric binding site (allosteric agonists). Our aim in this article is to review important aspects of the pharmacological diversity of nAChR allosteric modulators and to describe recent evidence aimed at identifying binding sites for allosteric modulators on nAChRs.
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