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Kanu LN, Ross AE, Farhat W, Mudigunda SV, Boychev N, Kuang L, Hutcheon AEK, Ciolino JB. Development and Characterization of a Photocrosslinkable, Chitosan-Based, Nerve Growth Factor-Eluting Hydrogel for the Ocular Surface. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:12. [PMID: 38888287 PMCID: PMC11186570 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.6.12] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF; cenegermin-bkbj, OXERVATE) is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for moderate to severe neurotrophic keratopathy. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of incorporating a version of rhNGF in a mucoadhesive hydrogel capable of sustained drug release to the ocular surface. Methods Hydrogels loaded with rhNGF were synthesized by conjugating chitosan with azidobenzoic acid (Az-Ch), adding rhNGF, and exposing the solution to ultraviolet (UV) radiation to induce photocrosslinking. Az-Ch hydrogels were evaluated for physical properties and rhNGF release profiles. Cytocompatbility of Az-Ch was assessed using immortalized human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells. TF1 erythroleukemic cell proliferation and HCLE cell proliferation and migration were used to assess the bioactivity of rhNGF released from Az-Ch hydrogels. Results Az-Ch formed hydrogels in <10 seconds of UV exposure and demonstrated high optical transparency (75-85 T%). Az-Ch hydrogels exhibited good cytocompatibility with no demonstratable effect on HCLE cell morphology or viability. rhNGF was released gradually over 24 hours from Az-Ch hydrogels and retained its ability to induce TF1 cell proliferation. No significant difference was observed between rhNGF released from Az-Ch and freshly prepared rhNGF solutions on HCLE cell proliferation or percent wound closure after 12 hours; however, both were significantly better than control (P < 0.01). Conclusions rhNGF-loaded Az-Ch hydrogels exhibited favorable physical, optical, and drug-release properties, as well as retained drug bioactivity. This drug delivery system has the potential to be further developed for in vivo and translational clinical applications. Translational Relevance Az-Ch hydrogels may be used to enhance rhNGF therapy in patients with NK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi N. Kanu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy E. Ross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wissam Farhat
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sushma V. Mudigunda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikolay Boychev
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liangju Kuang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Audrey E. K. Hutcheon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph B. Ciolino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Malerba F, Florio R, Arisi I, Zecca C, Dell’Abate MT, Logroscino G, Cattaneo A. Cerebrospinal fluid level of proNGF as potential diagnostic biomarker in patients with frontotemporal dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 15:1298307. [PMID: 38332808 PMCID: PMC10850263 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1298307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an extremely heterogeneous and complex neurodegenerative disease, exhibiting different phenotypes, genetic backgrounds, and pathological states. Due to these characteristics, and to the fact that clinical symptoms overlap with those of other neurodegenerative diseases or psychiatric disorders, the diagnosis based only on the clinical evaluation is very difficult. The currently used biomarkers help in the clinical diagnosis, but are insufficient and do not cover all the clinical needs. Methods By the means of a new immunoassay, we have measured and analyzed the proNGF levels in 43 cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from FTD patients, and compared the results to those obtained in CSF from 84 Alzheimer's disease (AD), 15 subjective memory complaints (SMC) and 13 control subjects. Results A statistically significant difference between proNGF levels in FTD compared to AD, SMC and controls subjects was found. The statistical models reveal that proNGF determination increases the accuracy of FTD diagnosis, if added to the clinically validated CSF biomarkers. Discussion These results suggest that proNGF could be included in a panel of biomarkers to improve the FTD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Malerba
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivan Arisi
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology – National Research Council (IFT-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Zecca
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” at “Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico” Hospital Tricase, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Dell’Abate
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” at “Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico” Hospital Tricase, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” at “Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico” Hospital Tricase, Lecce, Italy
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
- BIO@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
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3
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Tiberi A, Borgonovo G, Testa G, Pacifico P, Jacob A, Di Caprio M, Totaro V, Calvello M, Cattaneo A, Capsoni S. Reversal of neurological deficits by painless nerve growth factor in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Brain 2024; 147:122-134. [PMID: 37633263 PMCID: PMC10766238 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad282] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disease, affecting 1 in over 10 000 females born worldwide, caused by de novo mutations in the X-chromosome-located methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene. Despite the great effort put forth by the scientific community, a therapy for this devastating disease is still needed. Here, we tested the therapeutic effects of a painless mutein of the nerve growth factor (NGF), called human NGF painless (hNGFp), via a non-invasive intranasal delivery in female MeCP2+/- mice. Of note, previous work had demonstrated a broad biodistribution of hNGFp in the mouse brain by the nasal delivery route. We report that (i) the long-term lifelong treatment of MeCP2+/- mice with hNGFp, starting at 2 months of age, increased the chance of survival while also greatly improving behavioural parameters. Furthermore, when we assessed the phenotypic changes brought forth by (ii) a short-term 1-month-long hNGFp-treatment, starting at 3 months of age (right after the initial presentation of symptoms), we observed the rescue of a well known neuronal target population of NGF, cholinergic neurons in the medial septum. Moreover, we reveal a deficit in microglial morphology in MeCP2+/- mice, completely reversed in treated animals. This effect on microglia is in line with reports showing microglia to be a TrkA-dependent non-neuronal target cell population of NGF in the brain. To understand the immunomodulatory activity of hNGFp, we analysed the cytokine profile after hNGFp treatment in MeCP2+/- mice, to discover that the treatment recovered the altered expression of key neuroimmune-communication molecules, such as fractalkine. The overall conclusion is that hNGFp delivered intranasally can ameliorate symptoms in the MeCP2+/- model of Rett syndrome, by exerting strong neuroprotection with a dual mechanism of action: directly on target neurons and indirectly via microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Tiberi
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Borgonovo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanna Testa
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Pacifico
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ajesh Jacob
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Valentino Totaro
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Simona Capsoni
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Section of Human Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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4
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Rivera KO, Cuylear DL, Duke VR, O’Hara KM, Zhong JX, Elghazali NA, Finbloom JA, Kharbikar BN, Kryger AN, Miclau T, Marcucio RS, Bahney CS, Desai TA. Encapsulation of β-NGF in injectable microrods for localized delivery accelerates endochondral fracture repair. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1190371. [PMID: 37284244 PMCID: PMC10241161 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1190371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Currently, there are no non-surgical FDA-approved biological approaches to accelerate fracture repair. Injectable therapies designed to stimulate bone healing represent an exciting alternative to surgically implanted biologics, however, the translation of effective osteoinductive therapies remains challenging due to the need for safe and effective drug delivery. Hydrogel-based microparticle platforms may be a clinically relevant solution to create controlled and localized drug delivery to treat bone fractures. Here, we describe poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA)-based microparticles, in the shape of microrods, loaded with beta nerve growth factor (β-NGF) for the purpose of promoting fracture repair. Methods: Herein, PEGDMA microrods were fabricated through photolithography. PEGDMA microrods were loaded with β-NGF and in vitro release was examined. Subsequently, bioactivity assays were evaluated in vitro using the TF-1 tyrosine receptor kinase A (Trk-A) expressing cell line. Finally, in vivo studies using our well-established murine tibia fracture model were performed and a single injection of the β-NGF loaded PEGDMA microrods, non-loaded PEGDMA microrods, or soluble β-NGF was administered to assess the extent of fracture healing using Micro-computed tomography (µCT) and histomorphometry. Results: In vitro release studies showed there is significant retention of protein within the polymer matrix over 168 hours through physiochemical interactions. Bioactivity of protein post-loading was confirmed with the TF-1 cell line. In vivo studies using our murine tibia fracture model show that PEGDMA microrods injected at the site of fracture remained adjacent to the callus for over 7 days. Importantly, a single injection of β-NGF loaded PEGDMA microrods resulted in improved fracture healing as indicated by a significant increase in the percent bone in the fracture callus, trabecular connective density, and bone mineral density relative to soluble β-NGF control indicating improved drug retention within the tissue. The concomitant decrease in cartilage fraction supports our prior work showing that β-NGF promotes endochondral conversion of cartilage to bone to accelerate healing. Discussion: We demonstrate a novel and translational method wherein β-NGF can be encapsulated within PEGDMA microrods for local delivery and that β-NGF bioactivity is maintained resulting in improved bone fracture repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O. Rivera
- Graduate Program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Darnell L. Cuylear
- Graduate Program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Victoria R. Duke
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Vail, CO, United States
| | - Kelsey M. O’Hara
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Vail, CO, United States
| | - Justin X. Zhong
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- UC Berkeley—UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Nafisa A. Elghazali
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- UC Berkeley—UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Joel A. Finbloom
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Bhushan N. Kharbikar
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Alex N. Kryger
- School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Theodore Miclau
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ralph S. Marcucio
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Chelsea S. Bahney
- Graduate Program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Vail, CO, United States
- UC Berkeley—UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Tejal A. Desai
- Graduate Program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), Berkeley, CA, United States
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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5
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Giniatullin R, Nistri A. Role of ATP in migraine mechanisms: focus on P2X3 receptors. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:1. [PMID: 36597043 PMCID: PMC9809127 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-022-01535-4] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Migraine is a major health burden worldwide with complex pathophysiology and multifarious underlying mechanisms. One poorly understood issue concerns the early steps in the generation of migraine pain. To elucidate the basic process of migraine pain further, it seems useful to consider key molecular players that may operate synergistically to evoke headache. While the neuropeptide CGRP is an important contributor, we propose that extracellular ATP (that generally plays a powerful nociceptive role) is also a major component of migraine headache, acting in concert with CGRP to stimulate trigeminal nociceptive neurons. The aim of the present focused review is to highlight the role of ATP activating its P2X3 membrane receptors selectively expressed by sensory neurons including their nerve fiber terminals in the meninges. Specifically, we present data on the homeostasis of ATP and related purines in the trigeminovascular system and in the CNS; the basic properties of ATP signalling at peripheral and central nerve terminals; the characteristics of P2X3 and related receptors in trigeminal neurons; the critical speed and persistence of P2X3 receptor activity; their cohabitation at the so-called meningeal neuro-immune synapse; the identity of certain endogenous agents cooperating with ATP to induce neuronal sensitization in the trigeminal sensory system; the role of P2X3 receptors in familial type migraine; the current state of P2X3 receptor antagonists and their pharmacological perspectives in migraine. It is proposed that the unique kinetic properties of P2X3 receptors activated by ATP offer an interesting translational value to stimulate future studies for innovative treatments of migraine pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Giniatullin
- grid.9668.10000 0001 0726 2490A.I Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - A. Nistri
- grid.5970.b0000 0004 1762 9868Department of Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
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6
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Baldassarro VA, Cescatti M, Rocco ML, Aloe L, Lorenzini L, Giardino L, Calzà L. Nerve growth factor promotes differentiation and protects the oligodendrocyte precursor cells from in vitro hypoxia/ischemia. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1111170. [PMID: 36875668 PMCID: PMC9978228 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1111170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a pleiotropic molecule acting on different cell types in physiological and pathological conditions. However, the effect of NGF on the survival, differentiation and maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs), the cells responsible for myelin formation, turnover, and repair in the central nervous system (CNS), is still poorly understood and heavily debated. Methods Here we used mixed neural stem cell (NSC)-derived OPC/astrocyte cultures to clarify the role of NGF throughout the entire process of OL differentiation and investigate its putative role in OPC protection under pathological conditions. Results We first showed that the gene expression of all the neurotrophin receptors (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, and p75NTR ) dynamically changes during the differentiation. However, only TrkA and p75NTR expression depends on T3-differentiation induction, as Ngf gene expression induction and protein secretion in the culture medium. Moreover, in the mixed culture, astrocytes are the main producer of NGF protein, and OPCs express both TrkA and p75NTR . NGF treatment increases the percentage of mature OLs, while NGF blocking by neutralizing antibody and TRKA antagonist impairs OPC differentiation. Moreover, both NGF exposure and astrocyte-conditioned medium protect OPCs exposed to oxygenglucose deprivation (OGD) from cell death and NGF induces an increase of AKT/pAKT levels in OPCs nuclei by TRKA activation. Discussion This study demonstrated that NGF is implicated in OPC differentiation, maturation, and protection in the presence of metabolic challenges, also suggesting implications for the treatment of demyelinating lesions and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Luca Lorenzini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luciana Giardino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRET Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Calzà
- Health Science and Technologies - Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute, Bologna, Italy
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7
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Yu X, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Xia J, Zhang J, Han Q, Yu H, Wu C, Xu Y, Xu W, Yang W. Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery of Chemically Modified NGF R100W mRNA Alleviates Peripheral Neuropathy. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202127. [PMID: 36325948 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic instructions to the cell machinery for the transient production of antigens or therapeutic proteins and shows enormous potential in vaccine development, cancer immunotherapy, protein replacement therapy, and genome engineering. Here, the synthesis of chemically modified nerve growth factor mutant (NGFR100W ) mRNA through in vitro transcription is described. After the replacement of the original signal peptide sequence with the Ig Kappa leader sequence, codon-optimized NGFR100W mRNA yielded high secretion of mature NGFR100W , which promotes axon growth in PC12 cells. Using lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-delivery of N1-methylpseudouridine-modified mRNA in mice, NGFR100W -mRNA-LNPs result in the successful expression of NGFR100W protein, which significantly reduces nociceptive activity compared to that of NGFWT . This indicates that NGFR100W derived from exogenous mRNA elicited "painless" neuroprotective activity. Additionally, the therapeutic value of NGFR100W mRNA is established in a paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy model by demonstrating the rapid recovery of intraepidermal nerve fibers. The results show that in vitro-transcribed mRNA has significant flexibility in sequence design and fast in vivo functional validation of target proteins. Furthermore, the results highlight the therapeutic potential of mRNA as a supplement to beneficial proteins for preventing or reversing some chronic medical conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Jia Xia
- Department of Nephrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Qi Han
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Hang Yu
- Shanghai RNACure Biopharma Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200438, P. R. China
| | - Chengbiao Wu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Yingjie Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China.,Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Zhoushan Branch, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 316012, P. R. China
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
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8
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Russo L, Giacomelli C, Fortino M, Marzo T, Ferri G, Calvello M, Viegi A, Magrì A, Pratesi A, Pietropaolo A, Cardarelli F, Martini C, Rizzarelli E, Marchetti L, La Mendola D, Trincavelli ML. Neurotrophic Activity and Its Modulation by Zinc Ion of a Dimeric Peptide Mimicking the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor N-Terminal Region. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3453-3463. [PMID: 36346920 PMCID: PMC9732821 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00463] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin (NT) essential for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of BDNF signaling is implicated in different neurological disorders. The direct NT administration as therapeutics has revealed to be challenging. This has prompted the design of peptides mimicking different regions of the BDNF structure. Although loops 2 and 4 have been thoroughly investigated, less is known regarding the BDNF N-terminal region, which is involved in the selective recognition of the TrkB receptor. Herein, a dimeric form of the linear peptide encompassing the 1-12 residues of the BDNF N-terminal (d-bdnf) was synthesized. It demonstrated to act as an agonist promoting specific phosphorylation of TrkB and downstream ERK and AKT effectors. The ability to promote TrkB dimerization was investigated by advanced fluorescence microscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, finding activation modes shared with BDNF. Furthermore, d-bdnf was able to sustain neurite outgrowth and increase the expression of differentiation (NEFM, LAMC1) and polarization markers (MAP2, MAPT) demonstrating its neurotrophic activity. As TrkB activity is affected by zinc ions in the synaptic cleft, we first verified the ability of d-bdnf to coordinate zinc and then the effect of such complexation on its activity. The d-bdnf neurotrophic activity was reduced by zinc complexation, demonstrating the role of the latter in tuning the activity of the new peptido-mimetic. Taken together our data uncover the neurotrophic properties of a novel BDNF mimetic peptide and pave the way for future studies to understand the pharmacological basis of d-bdnf action and develop novel BDNF-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Russo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Tiziano Marzo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio
NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Magrì
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Dipartimento
di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università
di Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy,Università
degli Studi di Catania, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
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9
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Lisi L, Marinelli S, Ciotti GMP, Pizzoferrato M, Palmerio F, Chiavari M, Cattaneo A, Navarra P. The effects of painless nerve growth factor on human microglia polarization. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:969058. [PMID: 36339818 PMCID: PMC9633670 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.969058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in the rat suggest that microglial cells represent a potential druggable target for nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain. The painless human Nerve Growth Factor (hNGFp) is a recombinant mutated form of human nerve growth factor (hNGF) that shows identical neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties of wild-type NGF but displays at least 10-fold lower algogenic activity. From the pharmacological point of view, hNGFp is a biased tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) agonist and displays a significantly lower affinity for the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). This study aimed to evaluate the expression of TrkA and p75NTR NGF receptors in two different human microglia cell lines, and to investigate the effects of hNGFp and wild-type NGF (NGF) on L-arginine metabolism, taken as a marker of microglia polarization. Both NGF receptors are expressed in human microglia cell lines and are effective in transducing signals triggered by NGF and hNGFp. The latter and, to a lesser extent, NGF inhibit cytokine-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production in these cells. Conversely NGF but not hNGFp stimulates arginase-mediated urea production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Lisi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Marinelli
- European Brain Research Institute-Fondazione Rita Levi Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Maria Pia Ciotti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Pizzoferrato
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Palmerio
- European Brain Research Institute-Fondazione Rita Levi Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Chiavari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- European Brain Research Institute-Fondazione Rita Levi Montalcini, Rome, Italy
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Navarra
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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Lisi L, Ciotti GMP, Chiavari M, Martire M, Navarra P. The effects of CHF6467, a new mutated form of NGF, on cell models of human glioblastoma. A comparison with wild-type NGF. Growth Factors 2022; 40:37-45. [PMID: 35442129 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2022.2060095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
CHF6467 is a mutated form of human recombinant nerve growth factor (NGF). The mutation selectively disrupts the binding of NGF to its p75NTR receptor while maintaining the affinity toward TrkA receptor. Because of such different profile of receptor interaction, CHF6467 maintains unaltered the neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties of wild-type NGF but shows reduced algogenic activity.In this study, we investigated the effects of CHF6467 on mortality, proliferation, cell-damage and migration in three human glioblastoma cell lines (U87MG, T98G, LN18), and in the rat astrocytoma C6 cells. Both CHF6467 and wild-type NGF, given in the range 1-50 ng/ml, did not modify cell proliferation, metabolism and migration, as well as the number of live/dead cells.The present in vitro data are predictive of a lack of tumorigenic activity by both wild-type NGF and CHF6467 on these cell types in vivo, and warrant for CHF6467 further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Lisi
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Maria Pia Ciotti
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Chiavari
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Martire
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Navarra
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Catholic University Medical School, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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11
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Capsoni S, Cattaneo A. Getting Into the Brain: The Intranasal Approach to Enhance the Delivery of Nerve Growth Factor and Its Painless Derivative in Alzheimer’s Disease and Down Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:773347. [PMID: 35360160 PMCID: PMC8961408 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.773347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophin Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) holds a great potential as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurological diseases. However, its safe and effective delivery to the brain is limited by the fact that NGF needs to be selectively targeted to the brain, to avoid severe side effects such as pain and to bypass the blood brain barrier. In this perspective, we will summarize the different approaches that have been used, or are currently applied, to deliver NGF to the brain, during preclinical and clinical trials to develop NGF as a therapeutic drug for Alzheimer’s disease. We will focus on the intranasal delivery of NGF, an approach that is used to deliver proteins to the brain in a non-invasive, safe, and effective manner minimizing systemic exposure. We will also describe the main experimental facts related to the effective intranasal delivery of a mutant form of NGF [painless NGF, human nerve growth factor painless (hNGFp)] in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and compare it to other ways to deliver NGF to the brain. We will also report new data on the application of intranasal delivery of hNGFp in Down Syndrome mouse model. These new data extend the therapeutic potential of hNGFp for the treatment of the dementia that is progressively associated to Down Syndrome. In conclusion, we will show how this approach can be a promising strategy and a potential solution for other unmet medical needs of safely and effectively delivering this neuroprotective neurotrophin to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Capsoni
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- Section of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- *Correspondence: Simona Capsoni,
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- European Brain Research Institute–Fondazione Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
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12
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Malerba F, Arisi I, Florio R, Zecca C, Dell'Abate MT, Bruni Ercole B, Camerini S, Casella M, Logroscino G, Cattaneo A. proNGF Measurement in Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples of a Large Cohort of Living Patients With Alzheimer's Disease by a New Automated Immunoassay. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:741414. [PMID: 34776928 PMCID: PMC8579109 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.741414] [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: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of new biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential for an accurate diagnosis, to conceive new strategies of treatments, and for monitoring the efficacy of potential disease-modifying therapies in clinical trials. proNGF levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent a promising diagnostic biomarker for AD, but its validation was hampered by the absence of a reliable immunoassay. In the literature, proNGF is currently measured in postmortem brain tissue by semiquantitative immunoblot. Here we describe the development and validation of a new method to measure proNGF in the CSF of living patients. This method, based on molecular size separation by capillary electrophoresis, is automated and shows a 40-fold increase in sensitivity with respect to the proNGF immunoblot, largely used in literature, and is robust, specific, and scalable to high-throughput. We have measured proNGF in the cerebrospinal fluid of 84 living patients with AD, 13 controls, and 15 subjective memory complaints (SMC) subjects. By comparing the proNGF levels in the three groups, we found a very significant difference between proNGF levels in AD samples compared with both controls and SMC subjects, while no significant difference was found between SMC and controls. Because of the development of this new immunoassay, we are ready to explore the potentiality of proNGF as a new biomarker for AD or subgroups thereof, as well as for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Malerba
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivan Arisi
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology - National Research Council (IFT-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Zecca
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari "Aldo Moro" at "Pia Fondazione Card. G. Panico" Hospital Tricase, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Dell'Abate
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari "Aldo Moro" at "Pia Fondazione Card. G. Panico" Hospital Tricase, Lecce, Italy
| | - Bruno Bruni Ercole
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari "Aldo Moro" at "Pia Fondazione Card. G. Panico" Hospital Tricase, Lecce, Italy.,Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy.,BIO@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
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13
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Amadoro G, Latina V, Balzamino BO, Squitti R, Varano M, Calissano P, Micera A. Nerve Growth Factor-Based Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:735928. [PMID: 34566573 PMCID: PMC8459906 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.735928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-associated neurodegenerative disease which is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Imbalance in nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling, metabolism, and/or defect in NGF transport to the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons occurs in patients affected with AD. According to the cholinergic hypothesis, an early and progressive synaptic and neuronal loss in a vulnerable population of basal forebrain involved in memory and learning processes leads to degeneration of cortical and hippocampal projections followed by cognitive impairment with accumulation of misfolded/aggregated Aβ and tau protein. The neuroprotective and regenerative effects of NGF on cholinergic neurons have been largely demonstrated, both in animal models of AD and in living patients. However, the development of this neurotrophin as a disease-modifying therapy in humans is challenged by both delivery limitations (inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), poor pharmacokinetic profile) and unwanted side effects (pain and weight loss). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal disease which represents the major cause of blindness in developed countries and shares several clinical and pathological features with AD, including alterations in NGF transduction pathways. Interestingly, nerve fiber layer thinning, degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and changes of vascular parameters, aggregation of Aβ and tau protein, and apoptosis also occur in the retina of both AD and AMD. A protective effect of ocular administration of NGF on both photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell degeneration has been recently described. Besides, the current knowledge about the detection of essential trace metals associated with AD and AMD and their changes depending on the severity of diseases, either systemic or locally detected, further pave the way for a promising diagnostic approach. This review is aimed at describing the employment of NGF as a common therapeutic approach to AMD and AD and the diagnostic power of detection of essential trace metals associated with both diseases. The multiple approaches employed to allow a sustained release/targeting of NGF to the brain and its neurosensorial ocular extensions will be also discussed, highlighting innovative technologies and future translational prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)-CNR, Rome, Italy
- European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Rosanna Squitti
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Monica Varano
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
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14
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Coppi E, Cencetti F, Cherchi F, Venturini M, Donati C, Bruni P, Pedata F, Pugliese AM. A 2 B Adenosine Receptors and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Signaling Cross-Talk in Oligodendrogliogenesis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:677988. [PMID: 34135730 PMCID: PMC8202686 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.677988] [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: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte-formed myelin sheaths allow fast synaptic transmission in the brain. Impairments in the process of myelination, or demyelinating insults, might cause chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Under physiological conditions, remyelination is an ongoing process throughout adult life consisting in the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). During pathological events, this process fails due to unfavorable environment. Adenosine and sphingosine kinase/sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling axes (SphK/S1P) play important roles in remyelination processes. Remarkably, fingolimod (FTY720), a sphingosine analog recently approved for MS treatment, plays important roles in OPC maturation. We recently demonstrated that the selective stimulation of A2 B adenosine receptors (A2 B Rs) inhibit OPC differentiation in vitro and reduce voltage-dependent outward K+ currents (I K ) necessary to OPC maturation, whereas specific SphK1 or SphK2 inhibition exerts the opposite effect. During OPC differentiation A2 B R expression increases, this effect being prevented by SphK1/2 blockade. Furthermore, selective silencing of A2 B R in OPC cultures prompts maturation and, intriguingly, enhances the expression of S1P lyase, the enzyme responsible for irreversible S1P catabolism. Finally, the existence of an interplay between SphK1/S1P pathway and A2 B Rs in OPCs was confirmed since acute stimulation of A2 B Rs activates SphK1 by increasing its phosphorylation. Here the role of A2 B R and SphK/S1P signaling during oligodendrogenesis is reviewed in detail, with the purpose to shed new light on the interaction between A2 B Rs and S1P signaling, as eventual innovative targets for the treatment of demyelinating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Coppi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Cencetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Cherchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Venturini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Donati
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felicita Pedata
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pugliese
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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15
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Malerba F, Bruni Ercole B, Florio R, Cattaneo A. A Quantitative Bioassay to Determine the Inhibitory Potency of NGF-TrkA Antagonists. SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:823-830. [PMID: 33874771 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211000672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we demonstrate and validate a new bioassay named the NTAB [NGF-TrkA (nerve growth factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase A) antagonist bioassay] for the determination of the inhibitory potency of NGF-TrkA antagonists, based on the inhibition of NGF-dependent proliferation of the human TF1 erythroleukemic cell line.It is well known that NGF holds great therapeutic potential due to its neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. NGF is also involved in some pathways, however, principally driven by TrkA that, if not correctly regulated, can lead to unwanted pathological outcomes linked to pain, angiogenesis, and cancer.Indeed, there is an increasing interest, from a therapeutic perspective, in designing new effective molecules (antibodies, antibody fragments, or small molecules) able to inhibit the undesired NGF-TrkA pathway. For these reasons, there is an interest to develop functional cell-based assays for determination of the inhibition potency of compounds inhibiting the NGF-TrkA axis. The NTAB presents significant advantages over other published NGF-TrkA functional bioassays, for these reasons: (1) It is quantitative, (2) it measures a pure TrkA response, (3) it is simpler, (4) it is based on a natural biological response, and (5) it is easily scalable from a lab scale to an automated industrial assay.The NTAB assay was validated with a panel of well-characterized NGF-TrkA inhibitors, yielding characteristic dose-response curves, from which the relative strength of the inhibitors was quantitatively determined and used for comparisons. This new bioassay will be very useful to assist in the validation and prioritization of the best inhibitors among a large number of candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Malerba
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Bruni Ercole
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, Rome, Italy.,BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
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16
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Brandi R, Fabiano M, Giorgi C, Arisi I, La Regina F, Malerba F, Turturro S, Storti AE, Ricevuti F, Amadio S, Volontè C, Capsoni S, Scardigli R, D’Onofrio M, Cattaneo A. Nerve Growth Factor Neutralization Promotes Oligodendrogenesis by Increasing miR-219a-5p Levels. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020405. [PMID: 33669304 PMCID: PMC7920049 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the brain, the neurotrophin Nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates not only neuronal survival and differentiation, but also glial and microglial functions and neuroinflammation. NGF is known to regulate oligodendrogenesis, reducing myelination in the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we found that NGF controls oligodendrogenesis by modulating the levels of miR-219a-5p, a well-known positive regulator of oligodendrocyte differentiation. We exploited an NGF-deprivation mouse model, the AD11 mice, in which the postnatal expression of an anti-NGF antibody leads to NGF neutralization and progressive neurodegeneration. Notably, we found that these mice also display increased myelination. A microRNA profiling of AD11 brain samples and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that NGF deprivation leads to an increase of miR-219a-5p levels in hippocampus and cortex and a corresponding down-regulation of its predicted targets. Neurospheres isolated from the hippocampus of AD11 mice give rise to more oligodendrocytes and this process is dependent on miR-219a-5p, as shown by decoy-mediated inhibition of this microRNA. Moreover, treatment of AD11 neurospheres with NGF inhibits miR-219a-5p up-regulation and, consequently, oligodendrocyte differentiation, while anti-NGF treatment of wild type (WT) oligodendrocyte progenitors increases miR-219a-5p expression and the number of mature cells. Overall, this study indicates that NGF inhibits oligodendrogenesis and myelination by down-regulating miR-219a-5p levels, suggesting a novel molecular circuitry that can be exploited for the discovery of new effectors for remyelination in human demyelinating diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Brandi
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Marietta Fabiano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Corinna Giorgi
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
- CNR, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ivan Arisi
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
- CNR, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Sabrina Turturro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Andrea Ennio Storti
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Flavia Ricevuti
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Susanna Amadio
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Preclinical Neuroscience, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.A.); (C.V.)
| | - Cinzia Volontè
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Preclinical Neuroscience, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.A.); (C.V.)
- CNR, Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science, Via Dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Capsoni
- Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Scardigli
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
- CNR, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00131 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
| | - Mara D’Onofrio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (M.F.); (C.G.); (I.A.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.); (S.T.); (A.E.S.); (F.R.)
- CNR, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00131 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
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17
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Cherchi F, Pugliese AM, Coppi E. Oligodendrocyte precursor cell maturation: role of adenosine receptors. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1686-1692. [PMID: 33510056 PMCID: PMC8328763 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.306058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte-formed myelin sheaths allow fast synaptic transmission in the brain and their degeneration leads to demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Remyelination requires the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into mature oligodendrocytes but, in chronic neurodegenerative disorders, remyelination fails due to adverse environment. Therefore, a strategy to prompt oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation towards myelinating oligodendrocytes is required. The neuromodulator adenosine, and its receptors (A1, A2A, A2B and A3 receptors: A1R, A2AR, A2BR and A3R), are crucial mediators in remyelination processes. It is known that A1Rs facilitate oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation and migration whereas the A3Rs initiates apoptosis in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Our group of research contributed to the field by demonstrating that A2AR and A2BR inhibit oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation by reducing voltage-dependent K+ currents necessary for cell differentiation. The present review summarizes the possible role of adenosine receptor ligands as potential therapeutic targets in demyelinating pathologies such as multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cherchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pugliese
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Coppi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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18
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Coppi E, Cherchi F, Fusco I, Dettori I, Gaviano L, Magni G, Catarzi D, Colotta V, Varano F, Rossi F, Bernacchioni C, Donati C, Bruni P, Pedata F, Cencetti F, Pugliese AM. Adenosine A 2B receptors inhibit K + currents and cell differentiation in cultured oligodendrocyte precursor cells and modulate sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113956. [PMID: 32251679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are the only myelinating cells in the brain and differentiate from their progenitors (OPCs) throughout adult life. However, this process fails in demyelinating pathologies. Adenosine is emerging as an important player in OPC differentiation and we recently demonstrated that adenosine A2A receptors inhibit cell maturation by reducing voltage-dependent K+ currents. No data are available to date about the A2B receptor (A2BR) subtype. The bioactive lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptors (S1P1-5) are also crucial modulators of OPC development. An interaction between this pathway and the A2BR is reported in peripheral cells. We studied the role of A2BRs in modulating K+ currents and cell differentiation in OPC cultures and we investigated a possible interplay with S1P signaling. Our data indicate that the A2BR agonist BAY60-6583 and its new analogue P453 inhibit K+ currents in cultured OPC and the effect was prevented by the A2BR antagonist MRS1706, by K+ channel blockers and was differently modulated by the S1P analogue FTY720-P. An acute (10 min) exposure of OPCs to BAY60-6583 also increased the phosphorylated form of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1). A chronic (7 days) treatment with the same agonist decreased OPC differentiation whereas SphK1/2 inhibition exerted the opposite effect. Furthermore, A2BR was overexpressed during OPC differentiation, an effect prevented by the pan SphK1/2 inhibitor VPC69047. Finally, A2BR silenced cells showed increased cell maturation, decreased SphK1 expression and enhanced S1P lyase levels. We conclude that A2BRs inhibit K+ currents and cell differentiation and positively modulate S1P synthesis in cultured OPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Coppi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy.
| | - Federica Cherchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Fusco
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Ilaria Dettori
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Lisa Gaviano
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Giada Magni
- Istituto di Fisica Applicata, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Catarzi
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Vittoria Colotta
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Flavia Varano
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Istituto di Fisica Applicata, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Bernacchioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Donati
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Felicita Pedata
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Cencetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pugliese
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
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19
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Wu K, Huang D, Zhu C, Kasanga EA, Zhang Y, Yu E, Zhang H, Ni Z, Ye S, Zhang C, Hu J, Zhuge Q, Yang J. NT3 P75-2 gene-modified bone mesenchymal stem cells improve neurological function recovery in mouse TBI model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:311. [PMID: 31651375 PMCID: PMC6814101 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The attainment of extensive neurological function recovery remains the key challenge for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) has been shown to improve neurological function recovery after TBI. However, the survival of BMSCs after transplantation in early-stage TBI is limited, and much is unknown about the mechanisms mediating this neurological function recovery. Secretion of neurotrophic factors, including neurotrophin 3 (NT3), is one of the critical factors mediating BMSC neurological function recovery. Gene mutation of NT3 (NT3P75-2) has been shown to enhance the biological function of NT3 via the reduction of the activation of the P75 signal pathway. Thus, we investigated whether NT3P75-2 gene-modified BMSCs could enhance the survival of BMSCs and further improve neurological function recovery after TBI. METHODS The ability of NT3P75-2 induction to improve cell growth rate of NSC-34 and PC12 cells in vitro was first determined. BMSCs were then infected with three different lentiviruses (green fluorescent protein (GFP), GFP-NT3, or GFP-NT3P75-2), which stably express GFP, GFP-NT3, or GFP-NT3P75-2. At 24 h post-TBI induction in mice, GFP-labeled BMSCs were locally transplanted into the lesion site. Immunofluorescence and histopathology were performed at 1, 3, and/or 7 days after transplantation to evaluate the survival of BMSCs as well as the lesion volume. A modified neurological severity scoring system and the rotarod test were chosen to evaluate the functional recovery of the mice. Cell growth rate, glial activation, and signaling pathway analyses were performed to determine the potential mechanisms of NT3P75-2 in functional recovery after TBI. RESULTS Overall, NT3P75-2 improved cell growth rate of NSC-34 and PC12 cells in vitro. In addition, NT3P75-2 significantly improved the survival of transplanted BMSCs and neurological function recovery after TBI. Overexpression of NT3P75-2 led to a significant reduction in the activation of glial cells, brain water content, and brain lesion volume after TBI. This was associated with a reduced activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (P75NTR) and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway due to the low affinity of NT3P75-2 for the receptor. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results demonstrate that administration of NT3P75-2 gene-modified BMSCs dramatically improves neurological function recovery after TBI by increasing the survival of BMSCs and ameliorating the inflammatory environment, providing a new promising treatment strategy for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Dongdong Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Can Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Ella A Kasanga
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Enxing Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Hengli Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhihui Ni
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Sheng Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Chunli Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jiangnan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China. .,Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
| | - Qichuan Zhuge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
| | - Jianjing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China. .,Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
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20
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Cattaneo A, Capsoni S. Painless Nerve Growth Factor: A TrkA biased agonist mediating a broad neuroprotection via its actions on microglia cells. Pharmacol Res 2018; 139:17-25. [PMID: 30391352 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease, based on its well known actions on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. However, because of its pro-nociceptive activity, in current clinical trials NGF has to be administered intraparenchymally into the brain by neurosurgery via cell or gene therapy approaches. To prevent the NGF pain-inducing collateral effects, thus avoiding the necessity for local brain injection, we developed painless NGF (hNGFp), based on the human genetic disease Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy type V (HSAN V). hNGFp has similar neurotrophic activity as wild type human NGF, but its pain sensitizing activity is tenfold lower. Pharmacologically, hNGFp is a biased receptor agonist of NGF TrkA receptor. The results of recent studies shed new light on the neuroprotective mechanism by hNGFp and are highly relevant for the planning of NGF-based clinical trials. The intraparenchymal delivery of hNGFp, as used in clinical trials, was simulated in the 5xFAD mouse model and found to be inefficacious in reducing Aβ plaque load. On the contrary, the same dose of hNGFp administered intranasally, which was rather widely biodistributed in the brain and did not induce pain sensitization, blocked APP processing into amyloid and restored synaptic plasticity and memory in this aggressive neurodegeneration model. This potent and broad neuroprotection by hNGFp was found to be mediated by hNGFp actions on glial cells. hNGFp increases inflammatory proteins such as the soluble TNFα receptor II and the chemokine CXCL12. Independent work has shown that NGF has a potent anti-inflammatory action on microglia and steers them towards a neuroprotective phenotype. These studies demonstrate that microglia cells are a new target cell of NGF in the brain and have therapeutic significance: i) they establish that the neuroprotective actions of hNGFp relies on a widespread exposure of the brain, ii) they identify a new anti-neurodegenerative pathway, linking hNGFp to inflammatory chemokines and cytokines via microglia, a common target for new therapeutic opportunities for neurodegenerative diseases, iii) they extend the neuroprotective potential of hNGFp beyond its classical cholinergic target, thereby widening the range of neurological diseases for which this neurotrophic factor might be used therapeutically, iv) they help interpreting the results of current NGF clinical trials in AD and the design of future trials with this new potent therapeutic candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy; Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Roma, Italy.
| | - Simona Capsoni
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy; Section of Human Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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21
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Kisiswa L, Fernández-Suárez D, Sergaki MC, Ibáñez CF. RIP2 Gates TRAF6 Interaction with Death Receptor p75 NTR to Regulate Cerebellar Granule Neuron Survival. Cell Rep 2018; 24:1013-1024. [PMID: 30044969 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.06.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) undergo programmed cell death during the first postnatal week of mouse development, coincident with sustained expression of the death receptor p75NTR. Although ablation of p75NTR does not affect CGN cell death, deletion of the downstream effector RIP2 significantly increases CGN apoptosis, resulting in reduced adult CGN number and impaired behaviors associated with cerebellar function. Remarkably, CGN death is restored to basal levels when p75NTR is deleted in RIP2-deficient mice. We find that RIP2 gates the signaling output of p75NTR by competing with TRAF6 for binding to the receptor intracellular domain. In CGNs lacking RIP2, more TRAF6 is associated with p75NTR, leading to increased JNK-dependent apoptosis. In agreement with this, pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of TRAF6 restores cell death levels in CGNs lacking RIP2. These results reveal an unexpected mechanism controlling CGN number and highlight how competitive interactions govern the logic of death receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Kisiswa
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | | | | | - Carlos F Ibáñez
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore; Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
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22
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Kennedy AE, Laamanen CA, Ross MS, Vohra R, Boreham DR, Scott JA, Ross GM. Nerve growth factor inhibitor with novel-binding domain demonstrates nanomolar efficacy in both cell-based and cell-free assay systems. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018; 5. [PMID: 28971611 PMCID: PMC5625151 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, is known to regulate the development and survival of a select population of neurons through the binding and activation of the TrkA receptor. Elevated levels of NGF have been associated with painful pathologies such as diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. However, completely inhibiting the NGF signal could hold significant side effects, such as those observed in a genetic condition called congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis (CIPA). Previous methods of screening for NGF‐inhibitors used labeling techniques which have the potential to alter molecular interactions. SPR spectroscopy and NGF‐dependent cellular assays were utilized to identify a novel NGF‐inhibitor, BVNP‐0197 (IC50 = 90 nmol/L), the first NGF‐inhibitor described with a high nanomolar NGF inhibition efficiency. The present study utilizes molecular modeling flexible docking to identify a novel binding domain in the loop II/IV cleft of NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Kennedy
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.,Laurentian University, Biomolecular Sciences Program, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Corey A Laamanen
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.,Laurentian University, Bharti School of Engineering, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mitchell S Ross
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rahul Vohra
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.,Sussex Research Laboratories Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - John A Scott
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.,Laurentian University, Bharti School of Engineering, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory M Ross
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Sung K, Ferrari LF, Yang W, Chung C, Zhao X, Gu Y, Lin S, Zhang K, Cui B, Pearn ML, Maloney MT, Mobley WC, Levine JD, Wu C. Swedish Nerve Growth Factor Mutation (NGF R100W) Defines a Role for TrkA and p75 NTR in Nociception. J Neurosci 2018; 38:3394-3413. [PMID: 29483280 PMCID: PMC5895035 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1686-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) exerts multiple functions on target neurons throughout development. The recent discovery of a point mutation leading to a change from arginine to tryptophan at residue 100 in the mature NGFβ sequence (NGFR100W) in patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V (HSAN V) made it possible to distinguish the signaling mechanisms that lead to two functionally different outcomes of NGF: trophic versus nociceptive. We performed extensive biochemical, cellular, and live-imaging experiments to examine the binding and signaling properties of NGFR100W Our results show that, similar to the wild-type NGF (wtNGF), the naturally occurring NGFR100W mutant was capable of binding to and activating the TrkA receptor and its downstream signaling pathways to support neuronal survival and differentiation. However, NGFR100W failed to bind and stimulate the 75 kDa neurotrophic factor receptor (p75NTR)-mediated signaling cascades (i.e., the RhoA-Cofilin pathway). Intraplantar injection of NGFR100W into adult rats induced neither TrkA-mediated thermal nor mechanical acute hyperalgesia, but retained the ability to induce chronic hyperalgesia based on agonism for TrkA signaling. Together, our studies provide evidence that NGFR100W retains trophic support capability through TrkA and one aspect of its nociceptive signaling, but fails to engage p75NTR signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that wtNGF acts via TrkA to regulate the delayed priming of nociceptive responses. The integration of both TrkA and p75NTR signaling thus appears to regulate neuroplastic effects of NGF in peripheral nociception.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In the present study, we characterized the naturally occurring nerve growth factor NGFR100W mutant that is associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V. We have demonstrated for the first time that NGFR100W retains trophic support capability through TrkA, but fails to engage p75NTR signaling pathways. Furthermore, after intraplantar injection into adult rats, NGFR100W induced neither thermal nor mechanical acute hyperalgesia, but retained the ability to induce chronic hyperalgesia. We have also provided evidence that the integration of both TrkA- and p75NTR-mediated signaling appears to regulate neuroplastic effects of NGF in peripheral nociception. Our study with NGFR100W suggests that it is possible to uncouple trophic effect from nociceptive function, both induced by wild-type NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz F Ferrari
- Department of Oral Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Wanlin Yang
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 200025
| | - ChiHye Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701, South Korea
| | | | - Yingli Gu
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Neurology, the Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China 150001
| | - Suzhen Lin
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 200025
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Program, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, and
| | | | - Matthew L Pearn
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093
- V.A. San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161
| | - Michael T Maloney
- Department of Neurosciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | | | - Jon D Levine
- Department of Oral Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Chengbiao Wu
- Department of Neurosciences,
- V.A. San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161
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24
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Satriano C, Forte G, Magrì A, Di Pietro P, Travaglia A, Pandini G, Gianì F, La Mendola D. Neurotrophin-mimicking peptides at the biointerface with gold respond to copper ion stimuli. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 18:30595-30604. [PMID: 27786317 DOI: 10.1039/c6cp05476e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The peptide fragments NGF1-14 and BDNF1-12, encompassing the N-terminal domains, respectively, of the proteins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were used in this study for the fabrication of a hybrid gold/peptide biointerface. These peptides mimic the Trk receptor activation of the respective whole protein - with a crucial role played by copper ions - and exhibit, in bulk solution, a pH-dependent capability to complex copper. We demonstrate here the maintenance of peptide-specific responses at different pH values as well as the copper binding also for the adlayers formed upon physisorption at the gold surface. The physicochemical properties, including viscoelastic behavior of the adlayer and competitive vs. synergic interactions in sequential adsorption processes, were addressed both experimentally, by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and circular dichroism (CD), and theoretically, by molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. Proof-of work biological assays with the neuroblastoma SY-SH5H cell line demonstrated that the developed hybrid Au/peptide nanoplatforms are very promising for implementation in pH- and metal-responsive systems for application in nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Satriano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - G Forte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - A Magrì
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Council of Research (IBB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 16, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - P Di Pietro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - A Travaglia
- Centre for Neural Science, New York University, Washington Place, 4, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - G Pandini
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Medical Center, University of Catania, via Palermo n. 636, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - F Gianì
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Medical Center, University of Catania, via Palermo n. 636, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - D La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno Pisano, 6, I-56100 Pisa, Italy.
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25
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Shaikh SS, Nahorski MS, Woods CG. A third HSAN5 mutation disrupts the nerve growth factor furin cleavage site. Mol Pain 2018; 14:1744806918809223. [PMID: 30296891 PMCID: PMC6207963 DOI: 10.1177/1744806918809223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bi-allelic dysfunctional mutations in nerve growth factor (NGF) cause the rare human phenotype hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 5 (HSAN5). We describe a novel NGF mutation in an individual with typical HSAN5 findings. The mutation c.361C>T, p.R121W is at the last residue of the furin cleavage motif Arg-Ser-Lys-Arg in proNGF. We show that the p.R121W mutation completely abolishes the formation of mature NGF-β. Surprisingly, mutant p.R121W cells produced very little proNGF. Instead, the two progressive cleavage products of proNGF were produced, proA-NGF and proB-NGF, with proB-NGF being the predominant NGF-derived peptide and the only peptide secreted by mutant p.R121W cells. We found that the ability of the p.R121W mutation to cause tropomyosin receptor kinase A autophosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation was significantly reduced compared to controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). By studying the PC12 cell line morphology and neurite length over a week, we found the p.R121W mutation had residual, but much reduced, neurotrophic activity when compared to wild-type NGF. Finally, we assessed whether the p.R121W mutation affected apoptosis and found a reduced protective effect compared to wild-type NGF. Our results suggest that the p.R121W NGF mutation causes HSAN5 through negating the ability of furin to cleave proNGF to produce NGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiha S Shaikh
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael S Nahorski
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - C Geoffrey Woods
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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26
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Capsoni S, Malerba F, Carucci NM, Rizzi C, Criscuolo C, Origlia N, Calvello M, Viegi A, Meli G, Cattaneo A. The chemokine CXCL12 mediates the anti-amyloidogenic action of painless human nerve growth factor. Brain 2017; 140:201-217. [PMID: 28031222 PMCID: PMC5379860 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor is a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer’s disease. Due to its pain-inducing activity, in current clinical trials nerve growth factor is delivered locally into the brain by neurosurgery, but data on the efficacy of local nerve growth factor delivery in decreasing amyloid-β deposition are not available. To reduce the nerve growth factor pain-inducing side effects, thus avoiding the need for local brain injection, we developed human painless nerve growth factor (hNGFp), inspired by the human genetic disease hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V. hNGFp has identical neurotrophic potency as wild-type human nerve growth factor, but a 10-fold lower pain sensitizing activity. In this study we first mimicked, in the 5xFAD mouse model, the intraparenchymal delivery of hNGFp used in clinical trials and found it to be ineffective in decreasing amyloid-β plaque load. On the contrary, the same dose of hNGFp delivered intranasally, which was widely biodistributed in the brain and did not induce pain, showed a potent anti-amyloidogenic action and rescued synaptic plasticity and memory deficits. We found that hNGFp acts on glial cells, modulating inflammatory proteins such as the soluble TNFα receptor II and the chemokine CXCL12. We further established that the rescuing effect by hNGFp is mediated by CXCL12, as pharmacological inhibition of CXCL12 receptor CXCR4 occludes most of hNGFp effects. These findings have significant therapeutic implications: (i) we established that a widespread exposure of the brain is required for nerve growth factor to fully exert its neuroprotective actions; and (ii) we have identified a new anti-neurodegenerative pathway as a broad target for new therapeutic opportunities for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Capsoni
- 1 Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy.,2 Institute of Neuroscience, National Council for Research, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- 1 Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy.,3 Neurotrophins and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Rizzi
- 1 Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Criscuolo
- 2 Institute of Neuroscience, National Council for Research, Pisa, Italy.,4 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Nicola Origlia
- 2 Institute of Neuroscience, National Council for Research, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Viegi
- 1 Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Meli
- 3 Neurotrophins and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- 1 Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy .,3 Neurotrophins and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
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27
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Severini C, Petrocchi Passeri P, Ciotti M, Florenzano F, Petrella C, Malerba F, Bruni B, D'Onofrio M, Arisi I, Brandi R, Possenti R, Calissano P, Cattaneo A. Nerve growth factor derivative NGF61/100 promotes outgrowth of primary sensory neurons with reduced signs of nociceptive sensitization. Neuropharmacology 2017; 117:134-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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28
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Malerba F, Paoletti F, Cattaneo A. NGF and proNGF Reciprocal Interference in Immunoassays: Open Questions, Criticalities, and Ways Forward. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:63. [PMID: 27536217 PMCID: PMC4971159 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The homeostasis between mature neurotrophin NGF and its precursor proNGF is thought to be crucial in physiology and in pathological states. Therefore, the measurement of the relative amounts of NGF and proNGF could serve as a footprint for the identification of disease states, for diagnostic purposes. Since NGF is part of proNGF, their selective identification with anti-NGF antibodies is not straightforward. Currently, many immunoassays for NGF measurement are available, while the proNGF assays are few and not validated by published information. The question arises, as to whether the commercially available assays are able to distinguish between the two forms. Also, since in biological samples the two forms coexist, are the measurements of one species affected by the presence of the other? We describe experiments addressing these questions. For the first time, NGF and proNGF were measured together and tested in different immunoassays. Unexpectedly, NGF and proNGF were found to reciprocally interfere with the experimental outcome. The interference also calls into question the widely used NGF ELISA methods, applied to biological samples where NGF and proNGF coexist. Therefore, an immunoassay, able to distinguish between the two forms is needed. We propose possible ways forward, toward the development of a selective assay. In particular, the use of the well validated anti-NGF αD11 antibody in an alphaLISA assay with optimized incubation times would be a solution to avoid the interference in the measurement of a mixed sample containing NGF and proNGF. Furthermore, we explored the possibility of measuring proNGF in a biological sample. But the available commercial kit for the detection of proNGF does not allow the measurement of proNGF in mouse brain tissues. Therefore, we validated an SPR approach for the measurement of proNGF in a biological sample. Our experiments help in understanding the technical limits in the measurement of the NGF/proNGF ratio in biological samples, and propose concrete solutions toward the solution of this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Malerba
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, European Brain Research Institute, "Rita Levi-Montalcini" FoundationRome, Italy; BioSNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale SuperiorePisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Paoletti
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, European Brain Research Institute, "Rita Levi-Montalcini" FoundationRome, Italy; BioSNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale SuperiorePisa, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, European Brain Research Institute, "Rita Levi-Montalcini" FoundationRome, Italy; BioSNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale SuperiorePisa, Italy
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29
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Ruggeri P, Cappabianca L, Farina AR, Gneo L, Mackay AR. NGF FLIPs TrkA onto the death TRAIL in neuroblastoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2139. [PMID: 26962689 PMCID: PMC4823950 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Ruggeri
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - L Cappabianca
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A R Farina
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - L Gneo
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A R Mackay
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Ruggeri P, Cappabianca L, Farina AR, Gneo L, Mackay AR. NGF sensitizes TrkA SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Cell Death Discov 2016; 2:16004. [PMID: 27551499 PMCID: PMC4979468 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a novel pro-apoptotic function for nerve growth factor (NGF) and its tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) receptor in sensitizing TRAIL (TNF-related apoptotis-inducing ligand)-resistant SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma (NB) cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, resulting in the abrogation of anchorage-independent tumourigenic growth in vitro. We show that the TRAIL-resistant SH-SY5Y phenotype is cFLIP (cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein) dependent and not due to low-level functional TRAIL receptor or caspase expression or an inhibitory equilibrium between functional and decoy TRAIL receptors or B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and BH3-only (Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only) family proteins. NGF sensitization of SH-SY5Y cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis was dependent upon TrkA expression, activation and subsequent sequestration of cFLIP. This reduces cFLIP recruitment to TRAIL-activated death receptors and increases the recruitment of caspase-8, leading to TRAIL-induced, caspase-dependent, type II apoptosis via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. This effect was temporary, inhibited within 6 h by nuclear factor-κ binding (NF-κB)-mediated increase in myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (Mcl-1) expression, abrogated by transient cFLIP or B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) overexpression and optimized by NF-κB and Mcl-1 inhibitors. This novel mechanism adds an important pro-apoptotic immunological dimension to NGF/TrkA interaction that may not only help to explain the association between TrkA expression, better prognosis and spontaneous remission in NB, but also provides a novel potential pro-apoptotic therapeutic use for NGF, TRAIL and inhibitors of NF-κB and/or Mcl-1 in favourable and unfavourable NBs that express TrkA and exhibit cFLIP-mediated TRAIL resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ruggeri
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, L’Aquila 67100, Italy
| | - L Cappabianca
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, L’Aquila 67100, Italy
| | - A R Farina
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, L’Aquila 67100, Italy
| | - L Gneo
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, L’Aquila 67100, Italy
| | - A R Mackay
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, L’Aquila 67100, Italy
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