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Del Negro I, Pauletto G, Verriello L, Spadea L, Salati C, Ius T, Zeppieri M. Uncovering the Genetics and Physiology behind Optic Neuritis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2192. [PMID: 38137014 PMCID: PMC10742654 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammatory condition affecting the optic nerve, leading to vision impairment and potential vision loss. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current understanding of ON, including its definition, epidemiology, physiology, genetics, molecular pathways, therapy, ongoing clinical studies, and future perspectives. ON is characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve, often resulting from an autoimmune response. Epidemiological studies have shown a higher incidence in females and an association with certain genetic factors. The physiology of ON involves an immune-mediated attack on the myelin sheath surrounding the optic nerve, leading to demyelination and subsequent impairment of nerve signal transmission. This inflammatory process involves various molecular pathways, including the activation of immune cells and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Genetic factors play a significant role in the susceptibility to ON. Several genes involved in immune regulation and myelin maintenance have been implicated in the disease pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic basis can provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Therapy for ON focuses on reducing inflammation and promoting nerve regeneration. Future perspectives involve personalized medicine approaches based on genetic profiling, regenerative therapies to repair damaged myelin, and the development of neuroprotective strategies. Advancements in understanding molecular pathways, genetics, and diagnostic tools offer new opportunities for targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Del Negro
- Clinical Neurology Unit, Head-Neck and Neurosciences Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Giada Pauletto
- Neurology Unit, Head-Neck and Neurosciences Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy; (G.P.)
| | - Lorenzo Verriello
- Neurology Unit, Head-Neck and Neurosciences Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy; (G.P.)
| | - Leopoldo Spadea
- Eye Clinic, Policlinico Umberto I, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Salati
- Department of Ophthalmology, Head-Neck and Neurosciences Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Tamara Ius
- Neurosurgery Unit, Head-Neck and Neurosciences Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Zeppieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Head-Neck and Neurosciences Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Habek M, Blazekovic A, Gotovac Jercic K, Pivac N, Outero TF, Borovecki F, Brinar V. Genome-Wide Expression Profile in People with Optic Neuritis Associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2209. [PMID: 37626706 PMCID: PMC10452153 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to perform a genome-wide expression analysis of whole-blood samples from people with optic neuritis (ON) and to determine differentially expressed mRNAs compared to healthy control subjects. The study included eight people with acute ON and six healthy control subjects. Gene expression was analyzed using DNA microarrays for whole-human-genome analysis, which contain 54,675 25-base pairs. The additional biostatistical analysis included gene ontology analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) was used to confirm selected differentially expressed genes. In total, 722 differently expressed genes were identified, with 377 exhibiting increased, and 345 decreased, expression. Gene ontology analysis and GSEA revealed that protein phosphorylation and intracellular compartment, apoptosis inhibition, pathways involved in cell cycles, T and B cell functions, and anti-inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) pathways are implicated in ON pathology. qPCR confirmed the differential expression of eight selected genes, with SLPI, CR3, and ITGA4 exhibiting statistically significant results. In conclusion, whole-blood gene expression analysis showed significant differences in the expression profiles of people with ON compared to healthy control subjects. Additionally, pathways involved in T cell regulation and anti-inflammatory pathways within CNS were identified as important in the early phases of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Habek
- Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonela Blazekovic
- Department for Functional Genomics, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristina Gotovac Jercic
- Department for Functional Genomics, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nela Pivac
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Bošković Institute, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tiago Fleming Outero
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 17475 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fran Borovecki
- Department for Functional Genomics, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vesna Brinar
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Ciapă MA, Șalaru DL, Stătescu C, Sascău RA, Bogdănici CM. Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis—A Review of Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Degenerative Process. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:3959-3979. [PMID: 36135184 PMCID: PMC9497878 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44090272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease with a wide range of clinical symptoms, ocular involvement being frequently marked by the presence of optic neuritis (ON). The emergence and progression of ON in multiple sclerosis is based on various pathophysiological mechanisms, disease progression being secondary to inflammation, demyelination, or axonal degeneration. Early identification of changes associated with axonal degeneration or further investigation of the molecular processes underlying remyelination are current concerns of researchers in the field in view of the associated therapeutic potential. This article aims to review and summarize the scientific literature related to the main molecular mechanisms involved in defining ON as well as to analyze existing data in the literature on remyelination strategies in ON and their impact on long-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Delia Lidia Șalaru
- Cardiology Clinic, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 700503 Iași, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristian Stătescu
- Cardiology Clinic, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 700503 Iași, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Radu Andy Sascău
- Cardiology Clinic, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 700503 Iași, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Camelia Margareta Bogdănici
- Department of Surgical Specialties (II), University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Saint Spiridon Hospital, Iași 700111, Romania
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Coronel R, Palmer C, Bernabeu-Zornoza A, Monteagudo M, Rosca A, Zambrano A, Liste I. Physiological effects of amyloid precursor protein and its derivatives on neural stem cell biology and signaling pathways involved. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:1661-1671. [PMID: 31169172 PMCID: PMC6585543 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.257511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathological implication of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in Alzheimer's disease has been widely documented due to its involvement in the generation of amyloid-β peptide. However, the physiological functions of APP are still poorly understood. APP is considered a multimodal protein due to its role in a wide variety of processes, both in the embryo and in the adult brain. Specifically, APP seems to play a key role in the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of neural stem cells. In addition, APP can be processed through two canonical processing pathways, generating different functionally active fragments: soluble APP-α, soluble APP-β, amyloid-β peptide and the APP intracellular C-terminal domain. These fragments also appear to modulate various functions in neural stem cells, including the processes of proliferation, neurogenesis, gliogenesis or cell death. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in these effects are still unclear. In this review, we summarize the physiological functions of APP and its main proteolytic derivatives in neural stem cells, as well as the possible signaling pathways that could be implicated in these effects. The knowledge of these functions and signaling pathways involved in the onset or during the development of Alzheimer's disease is essential to advance the understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and in the search for potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Coronel
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Charlotte Palmer
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Bernabeu-Zornoza
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Monteagudo
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreea Rosca
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Zambrano
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Liste
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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Szybińska A, Leśniak W. P53 Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases - The Cause or Effect of Pathological Changes? Aging Dis 2017; 8:506-518. [PMID: 28840063 PMCID: PMC5524811 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2016.1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous, mostly age-associated group of disorders characterized by progressive neuronal loss, the most prevalent being Alzheimer disease. It is anticipated that, with continuously increasing life expectancy, these diseases will pose a serious social and health problem in the near feature. Meanwhile, however, their etiology remains largely obscure even though all possible novel clues are being thoroughly examined. In this regard, a concept has been proposed that p53, as a transcription factor controlling many vital cellular pathways including apoptosis, may contribute to neuronal death common to all neurodegenerative disorders. In this work, we review the research devoted to the possible role of p53 in the pathogenesis of these diseases. We not only describe aberrant changes in p53 level/activity observed in CNS regions affected by particular diseases but, most importantly, put special attention to the complicated reciprocal regulatory ties existing between p53 and proteins commonly regarded as pathological hallmarks of these diseases, with the ultimate goal to identify the primary element of their pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Szybińska
- 1Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena St., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland.,2Department of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Center Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego St. 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiesława Leśniak
- 3Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw Poland
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DellaValle B, Brix GS, Brock B, Gejl M, Landau AM, Møller A, Rungby J, Larsen A. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog, Liraglutide, Delays Onset of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalitis in Lewis Rats. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:433. [PMID: 27917122 PMCID: PMC5114298 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Recent findings indicate that metabolic disturbances are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology and influence the susceptibility to treatment, directing attention toward anti-diabetic drugs such as metformin and pioglitazone. Liraglutide, a drug of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) family, is also anti-diabetic and weight-reducing and is, moreover, directly neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory in a broad spectrum of experimental models of brain disease. In this study we investigate the potential for this FDA-approved drug, liraglutide, as a treatment for MS by utilizing the experimental model, experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Methods: EAE was induced in 30 female Lewis rats that subsequently received twice-daily liraglutide (200 μg/kg s.c.) or saline. Healthy controls were included (saline, n = 6, liraglutide, n = 7). Clinical score and weight were assessed daily by blinded observers. Animals were killed at peak disease severity (day 11) or if exceeding humane endpoint (clinical score ≥4). Protein levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), amyloid precursor protein (APP), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were determined. Results: Liraglutide treatment delayed disease onset (group clinical score significantly >0) by 2 days and markedly reduced disease severity (median clinical score 2 vs. 5; p = 0.0003). Fourteen of 15 (93%) of vehicle-treated rats reached the humane endpoint (clinical score ≥4) by day 11 compared to 5 of 15 (33%) of liraglutide-treated rats (p = 0.0004). Liraglutide substantially increased the mitochondrial antioxidant MnSOD (p < 0.01) and reduced the neurodegenerative marker APP (p = 0.036) in the brain. GFAP levels were not significantly changed with drug treatment (p = 0.09). Conclusion: We demonstrate, for the first time, that liraglutide treatment delays onset of EAE in Lewis rats and is associated with improved protective capacity against oxidative stress. These data suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists should be investigated further as a potential therapy for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian DellaValle
- Department of Biomedicine/Pharmacology, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark; Centre of Medical Parasitology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte S Brix
- Department of Biomedicine/Pharmacology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Brock
- Department of Biomedicine/Pharmacology, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Gejl
- Department of Biomedicine/Pharmacology, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne M Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark; Centre For Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark
| | - Arne Møller
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark; Centre For Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Rungby
- Department of Biomedicine/Pharmacology, Aarhus UniversityAarhus, Denmark; Department of Endocrinology, Bispebjerg University HospitalCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Agnete Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine/Pharmacology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
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Uberti F, Morsanuto V, Bardelli C, Molinari C. Protective effects of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on cultured neural cells exposed to catalytic iron. Physiol Rep 2016; 4:4/11/e12769. [PMID: 27252250 PMCID: PMC4908484 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have postulated a role for vitamin D and its receptor on cerebral function, and anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects have been described; vitamin D can inhibit proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide synthesis during various neurodegenerative insults, and may be considered as a potential drug for the treatment of these disorders. In addition, iron is crucial for neuronal development and neurotransmitter production in the brain, but its accumulation as catalytic form (Fe3+) impairs brain function and causes the dysregulation of iron metabolism leading to tissue damage due to the formation of toxic free radicals (ROS). This research was planned to study the role of vitamin D to prevent iron damage in neuroblastoma BE(2)M17 cells. Mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration, including cell viability, ROS production, and the most common intracellular pathways were studied. Pretreatment with calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D) reduced cellular injury induced by exposure to catalytic iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Uberti
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, UPO - University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Vera Morsanuto
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, UPO - University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Claudio Bardelli
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, UPO - University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Claudio Molinari
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, UPO - University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
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