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Petroff RL, Grant KS, Burbacher TM. The Role of Nonhuman Primates in Neurotoxicology Research: Preclinical Models and Experimental Methods. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e698. [PMID: 36912610 PMCID: PMC10084743 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Although noteworthy progress has been made in developing alternatives to animal testing, nonhuman primates still play a critical role in advancing biomedical research and will likely do so for many years. Core similarities between monkeys and humans in genetics, physiology, reproduction, development, and behavior make them excellent models for translational studies relevant to human health. This unit is designed to specifically address the role of nonhuman primates in neurotoxicology research and outlines the specialized assessments that can be used to measure exposure-related changes at the structural, chemical, cellular, molecular, and functional levels. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L Petroff
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kimberly S Grant
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Thomas M Burbacher
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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2
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Serra M, Pinna A, Costa G, Usiello A, Pasqualetti M, Avallone L, Morelli M, Napolitano F. Involvement of the Protein Ras Homolog Enriched in the Striatum, Rhes, in Dopaminergic Neurons' Degeneration: Link to Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105326. [PMID: 34070217 PMCID: PMC8158741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhes is one of the most interesting genes regulated by thyroid hormones that, through the inhibition of the striatal cAMP/PKA pathway, acts as a modulator of dopamine neurotransmission. Rhes mRNA is expressed at high levels in the dorsal striatum, with a medial-to-lateral expression gradient reflecting that of both dopamine D2 and adenosine A2A receptors. Rhes transcript is also present in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, olfactory tubercle and bulb, substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area of the rodent brain. In line with Rhes-dependent regulation of dopaminergic transmission, data showed that lack of Rhes enhanced cocaine- and amphetamine-induced motor stimulation in mice. Previous studies showed that pharmacological depletion of dopamine significantly reduces Rhes mRNA levels in rodents, non-human primates and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, suggesting a link between dopaminergic innervation and physiological Rhes mRNA expression. Rhes protein binds to and activates striatal mTORC1, and modulates L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in PD rodent models. Finally, Rhes is involved in the survival of mouse midbrain dopaminergic neurons of SNc, thus pointing towards a Rhes-dependent modulation of autophagy and mitophagy processes, and encouraging further investigations about mechanisms underlying dysfunctions of the nigrostriatal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.S.); (G.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Annalisa Pinna
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Neuroscience Institute—Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.S.); (G.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Luigi Avallone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy;
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.S.); (G.C.); (M.M.)
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Neuroscience Institute—Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Francesco Napolitano
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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3
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Deffains M, Canron MH, Teil M, Li Q, Dehay B, Bezard E, Fernagut PO. L-DOPA regulates α-synuclein accumulation in experimental parkinsonism. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2020; 47:532-543. [PMID: 33275784 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Widespread accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein aggregates is a key feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the pattern and extent of α-synuclein accumulation through PD brains is known, the impact of chronic dopamine-replacement therapy (the gold-standard pharmacological treatment of PD) on the fate of α-synuclein is still unknown. Here, we investigated the distribution and accumulation of α-synuclein in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) non-human primate model of PD and determined the effect of chronic L-DOPA treatment on MPTP-induced α-synuclein pathology. METHODS We measured the density of α-synuclein and tau immuno-positive neurons in the substantia nigra, putamen, hippocampal CA1 region, temporal cortex and dentate nucleus of control, MPTP and MPTP+L-DOPA-treated monkeys. Moreover, we also extracted and quantified Triton-X (TX) soluble and insoluble α-synuclein in putamen and hippocampus samples from a separate cohort of control, MPTP and MPTP+L-DOPA-treated monkeys. RESULTS MPTP-induced α-synuclein accumulation in NHP model of PD was not limited to the substantia nigra but also occurred in the putamen, hippocampal CA1 region and temporal cortex. Tau was increased only in the temporal cortex. Moreover, increased intraneuronal TX insoluble α-synuclein was truncated, but not in the structural form of Lewy bodies. The MPTP-induced increase in α-synuclein levels was abolished in animals having received L-DOPA in all the brain regions, except in the substantia nigra. CONCLUSIONS Dopamine replacement therapy can dramatically ameliorate α-synuclein pathology in the MPTP NHP model of PD. Therefore, patient's dopaminergic medication should be systematically considered when assessing α-synuclein as a biomarker for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and response to disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Deffains
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Margaux Teil
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | - Qin Li
- Motac Neuroscience, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | | | - Erwan Bezard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France.,Motac Neuroscience, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Pierre-Olivier Fernagut
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France.,Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM UMR_S 1084, Poitiers, France
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4
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Kozioł E, Skalicka-Woźniak K, Michalak A, Kaszubska K, Budzyńska B. Xanthotoxin reverses Parkinson's disease-like symptoms in zebrafish larvae and mice models: a comparative study. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 73:122-129. [PMID: 32700246 PMCID: PMC7862530 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background The aim of this study is to preliminary evaluate the antiparkinsonian activity of furanocoumarin—xanthotoxin, in two behavioral animal models, zebrafish larvae treated with 6-hydroxydopamine and mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in order to compare both models. Methods Xanthotoxin was isolated from Pastinaca sativa L. (Apiaceae) fruits. Then, the compound was administered by immersion to zebrafish 5 days after fertilization (dpf) larvae or intraperitoneally to male Swiss mice, as a potential therapeutic agent against locomotor impairments. Results Acute xanthotoxin administration at the concentration of 7.5 µM reversed locomotor activity impairments in 5-dpf zebrafish larvae. In mice model, acute xanthotoxin administration alleviated movement impairments at the concentration of 25 mg/kg. Conclusions The similar activity of the same substance in two different animal models indicates their compatibility and proves the potential of in vivo bioassays based on zebrafish models. Results of our study indicate that xanthotoxin may be considered as a potential lead compound in the discovery of antiparkinsonian drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Kozioł
- Independent Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak
- Independent Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Michalak
- Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair and Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kaszubska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Budzyńska
- Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair and Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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µ Opioid Receptor Agonism for L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. J Neurosci 2020; 40:6812-6819. [PMID: 32690616 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0610-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by severe locomotor deficits and is commonly treated with the dopamine precursor L-DOPA, but its prolonged usage causes dyskinesias referred to as L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). Several studies in animal models of PD have suggested that dyskinesias are associated with a heightened opioid cotransmitter tone, observations that have led to the notion of a LID-related hyperactive opioid transmission that should be corrected by µ opioid receptor antagonists. Reports that both antagonists and agonists of the µ opioid receptor may alleviate LID severity in primate models of PD and LID, together with the failure of nonspecific antagonist to improve LID in pilot clinical trials in patients, raises doubt about the reliability of the available data on the opioid system in PD and LID. After in vitro characterization of the functional activity at the µ opioid receptor, we selected prototypical agonists, antagonists, and partial agonists at the µ opioid receptor. We then showed that both oral and discrete intracerebral administration of a µ receptor agonist, but not of an antagonist as long thought, ameliorated LIDs in the gold-standard bilateral 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned female macaque model of PD and LID. The results call for a reappraisal of opioid pharmacology in the basal ganglia as well as for the development of brain nucleus-targeted µ opioid receptor agonists.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT µ opioid receptors have long been considered as a viable target for alleviating the severity of L-DOPA-induced hyperkinetic side effects, induced by the chronic treatment of Parkinson's disease motor symptoms with L-DOPA. Conflicting results between experimental parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease patients, however, dampened the enthusiasm for the target. Here we reappraise the pharmacology and then demonstrate that both oral and discrete intracerebral administration of a µ receptor agonist, but not of an antagonist as long thought, ameliorates LIDs in the gold-standard bilateral 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned macaque model of Parkinson's disease, calling for a reappraisal of the opioid pharmacology as well as for the development of brain nucleus-targeted µ receptor agonists.
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Rosenblad C, Li Q, Pioli EY, Dovero S, Antunes AS, Agúndez L, Bardelli M, Linden RM, Henckaerts E, Björklund A, Bezard E, Björklund T. Vector-mediated l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine delivery reverses motor impairments in a primate model of Parkinson's disease. Brain 2020; 142:2402-2416. [PMID: 31243443 PMCID: PMC6658866 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ever since its introduction 40 years ago l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) therapy has retained its role as the leading standard medication for patients with Parkinson's disease. With time, however, the shortcomings of oral l-DOPA treatment have become apparent, particularly the motor fluctuations and troublesome dyskinetic side effects. These side effects, which are caused by the excessive swings in striatal dopamine caused by intermittent oral delivery, can be avoided by delivering l-DOPA in a more continuous manner. Local gene delivery of the l-DOPA synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and guanosine-tri-phosphate-cyclohydrolase-1, offers a new approach to a more refined dopaminergic therapy where l-DOPA is delivered continuously at the site where it is needed i.e. the striatum. In this study we have explored the therapeutic efficacy of adeno-associated viral vector-mediated l-DOPA delivery to the putamen in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated rhesus monkeys, the standard non-human primate model of Parkinson's disease. Viral vector delivery of the two enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and guanosine-5'-tri-phosphate-cyclohydrolase-1, bilaterally into the dopamine-depleted putamen, induced a significant, dose-dependent improvement of motor behaviour up to a level identical to that obtained with the optimal dose of peripheral l-DOPA. Importantly, this improvement in motor function was obtained without any adverse dyskinetic effects. These results provide proof-of-principle for continuous vector-mediated l-DOPA synthesis as a novel therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease. The constant, local supply of l-DOPA obtained with this approach holds promise as an efficient one-time treatment that can provide long-lasting clinical improvement and at the same time prevent the appearance of motor fluctuations and dyskinetic side effects associated with standard oral dopaminergic medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Rosenblad
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.,Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Qin Li
- Motac Neuroscience, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Sandra Dovero
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Bordeaux, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Bordeaux, France
| | - André Slm Antunes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Leticia Agúndez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Martino Bardelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - R Michael Linden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Els Henckaerts
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anders Björklund
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Motac Neuroscience, Manchester, UK.,Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Bordeaux, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 5293, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tomas Björklund
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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7
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Sinha P, Chakrabarti N, Ghosh N, Mitra S, Dalui S, Bhattacharyya A. Alterations of thyroidal status in brain regions and hypothalamo-pituitary-blood-thyroid-axis associated with dopaminergic depletion in substantia nigra and ROS formation in different brain regions after MPTP treatment in adult male mice. Brain Res Bull 2020; 156:131-140. [PMID: 31891753 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
MPTP produces oxidative stress, damages niagrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and develops Parkinsonism in rodents. Due to paucity of information, the thyroidal status in brain regions and peripheral tissues during different post-treatment days in MPTP-induced mice had been executed in the present study. MPTP depleted tyrosine hydroxylase protein expressions that signify the dopaminergic neuronal damage in substantia nigra. MPTP elevated ROS formation differentially in brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra) with maximal elevation at hippocampus. The changes in thyroid hormone (T4 and T3) levels indicate that brain regions might combat the adverse situation by keeping the levels of thyroid hormones either unchanged or in the elevated conditions in the latter phases (day-3 and day-7), apart from the depletion of thyroid hormones in certain brain regions (T4 in SN and hippocampus, T3 in hippocampus) as the immediate (day-1) effects after MPTP treatment. MPTP caused alterations of cellular morphology, RNA:Protein ratio and TPO protein expression, concomitantly depleted TPO mRNA expression and elevated TSH levels in the thyroid gland. Although T4 levels changed differentially, T3 levels remained unaltered in thyroid gland throughout the post-treatment days. Results have been discussed mentioning the putative role of T4 and TSH in apoptosis and/or proliferation/differentiation of thyrocytes. In blood, T4 levels remained unchanged while the changes in T3 and TSH levels did not signify the clinical feature of hypo/hyperthyroidism of animals. In the pituitary, both T4 and T3 levels remained elevated where TSH differentially altered (elevated followed by depletion) during post-treatment days. Notably, T4, T3 and TSH levels did not alter in hypothalamus except initial (day-1) depletion of the T4 level. Therefore, the feedback control mechanism of hypothalamo-pituitary-blood-thyroid-axis failed to occur after MPTP treatment. Overall, MPTP altered thyroidal status in the brain and peripheral tissues while both events might occur in isolation as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyobrata Sinha
- Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India; Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700009, India
| | - Nilkanta Chakrabarti
- Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700009, India; Centres with Potential for Excellence in Particular Areas (CPEPA, UGC), Centre for "Electrophysiology & Neuroimaging Studies Including Mathematical Modeling" India.
| | - Nabanita Ghosh
- Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Soham Mitra
- Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Shauryabrota Dalui
- Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Arindam Bhattacharyya
- Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India.
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The striatal-enriched protein Rhes is a critical modulator of cocaine-induced molecular and behavioral responses. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15294. [PMID: 31653935 PMCID: PMC6814836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51839-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous evidence pointed out a role for the striatal-enriched protein Rhes in modulating dopaminergic transmission. Based on the knowledge that cocaine induces both addiction and motor stimulation, through its ability to enhance dopaminergic signaling in the corpus striatum, we have now explored the involvement of Rhes in the effects associated with this psychostimulant. Our behavioral data showed that a lack of Rhes in knockout animals caused profound alterations in motor stimulation following cocaine exposure, eliciting a significant leftward shift in the dose-response curve and triggering a dramatic hyperactivity. We also found that Rhes modulated either short- or long-term motor sensitization induced by cocaine, since lack of this protein prevents both of them in mutants. Consistent with this in vivo observation, we found that lack of Rhes in mice caused a greater increase in striatal cocaine-dependent D1R/cAMP/PKA signaling, along with considerable enhancement of Arc, zif268, and Homer1 mRNA expression. We also documented that lack of Rhes in mice produced cocaine-related striatal alterations in proteomic profiling, with a differential expression of proteins clustering in calcium homeostasis and cytoskeletal protein binding categories. Despite dramatic striatal alterations associated to cocaine exposure, our data did not reveal any significant changes in midbrain dopaminergic neurons as a lack of Rhes did not affect: (i) DAT activity; (ii) D2R-dependent regulation of GIRK; and (iii) D2R-dependent regulation of dopamine release. Collectively, our results strengthen the view that Rhes acts as a pivotal physiological “molecular brake” for striatal dopaminergic system overactivation induced by psychostimulants, thus making this protein of interest in regulating the molecular mechanism underpinning cocaine-dependent motor stimulatory effects.
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9
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The levels of the NMDA receptor co-agonist D-serine are reduced in the substantia nigra of MPTP-lesioned macaques and in the cerebrospinal fluid of Parkinson's disease patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8898. [PMID: 31222058 PMCID: PMC6586824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45419-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission is supposed to contribute to the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and to L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Besides the main agonist L-glutamate, two other amino acids in the atypical D-configuration, D-serine and D-aspartate, activate NMDARs. In the present work, we investigated the effect of dopamine depletion on D-amino acids metabolism in the brain of MPTP-lesioned Macaca mulatta, and in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of PD patients. We found that MPTP treatment increases D-aspartate and D-serine in the monkey putamen while L-DOPA rescues both D-amino acids levels. Conversely, dopaminergic denervation is associated with selective D-serine reduction in the substantia nigra. Such decrease suggests that the beneficial effect of D-serine adjuvant therapy previously reported in PD patients may derive from the normalization of endogenous D-serine levels and consequent improvement of nigrostriatal hypoglutamatergic transmission at glycine binding site. We also found reduced D-serine concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of L-DOPA-free PD patients. These results further confirm the existence of deep interaction between dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in PD and disclose a possible direct influence of D-amino acids variations in the changes of NMDAR transmission occurring under dopamine denervation and L-DOPA therapy.
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10
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Lack of Rhes Increases MDMA-Induced Neuroinflammation and Dopamine Neuron Degeneration: Role of Gender and Age. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071556. [PMID: 30925704 PMCID: PMC6480667 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog enriched in striatum (Rhes) is a protein that exerts important physiological functions and modulates psychostimulant drug effects. On this basis, the object of this study was to assess 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) effects on microglial (CD11b) and astroglial (GFAP) activation and on dopamine neuron degeneration (TH) in wild-type (WT) and Rhes knockout (KO) male and female mice of different ages. Motor activity was also evaluated. Adult (3 months) MDMA-treated mice displayed an increase in GFAP-positive cells in striatum (STR), whereas the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) was affected only in male mice. In these mice, the increase of CD11b was more extensive including STR, SNc, motor cortex (CTX), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NAc). MDMA administration also affected TH immunoreactivity in both STR and SNc of male but not female WT and Rhes KO mice. In middle-aged mice (12 months), MDMA administration further increased GFAP and CD11b and decreased TH immunoreactivity in STR and SNc of all mice. Finally, MDMA induced a higher increase of motor activity in adult Rhes KO male, but not female mice. The results show that Rhes protein plays an important role on MDMA-mediated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration dependent on gender and age, and confirm the important role of Rhes protein in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes.
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11
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Hernandez I, Luna G, Rauch JN, Reis SA, Giroux M, Karch CM, Boctor D, Sibih YE, Storm NJ, Diaz A, Kaushik S, Zekanowski C, Kang AA, Hinman CR, Cerovac V, Guzman E, Zhou H, Haggarty SJ, Goate AM, Fisher SK, Cuervo AM, Kosik KS. A farnesyltransferase inhibitor activates lysosomes and reduces tau pathology in mice with tauopathy. Sci Transl Med 2019; 11:eaat3005. [PMID: 30918111 PMCID: PMC7961212 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat3005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Tau inclusions are a shared feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, among them frontotemporal dementia caused by tau mutations. Treatment approaches for these conditions include targeting posttranslational modifications of tau proteins, maintaining a steady-state amount of tau, and preventing its tendency to aggregate. We discovered a new regulatory pathway for tau degradation that operates through the farnesylated protein, Rhes, a GTPase in the Ras family. Here, we show that treatment with the farnesyltransferase inhibitor lonafarnib reduced Rhes and decreased brain atrophy, tau inclusions, tau sumoylation, and tau ubiquitination in the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy. In addition, lonafarnib treatment attenuated behavioral abnormalities in rTg4510 mice and reduced microgliosis in mouse brain. Direct reduction of Rhes in the rTg4510 mouse by siRNA reproduced the results observed with lonafarnib treatment. The mechanism of lonafarnib action mediated by Rhes to reduce tau pathology was shown to operate through activation of lysosomes. We finally showed in mouse brain and in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons a normal developmental increase in Rhes that was initially suppressed by tau mutations. The known safety of lonafarnib revealed in human clinical trials for cancer suggests that this drug could be repurposed for treating tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Hernandez
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Gabriel Luna
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Jennifer N Rauch
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Surya A Reis
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Chemical Neurobiology Lab, and Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michel Giroux
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniel Boctor
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Youssef E Sibih
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Nadia J Storm
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Antonio Diaz
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Susmita Kaushik
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Cezary Zekanowski
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alexander A Kang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Cassidy R Hinman
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Vesna Cerovac
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Elmer Guzman
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Honjun Zhou
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Chemical Neurobiology Lab, and Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Alison M Goate
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Steven K Fisher
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Ana M Cuervo
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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12
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Napolitano F, D'Angelo L, de Girolamo P, Avallone L, de Lange P, Usiello A. The Thyroid Hormone-target Gene Rhes a Novel Crossroad for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: New Insights from Animal Models. Neuroscience 2018; 384:419-428. [PMID: 29857029 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Ras homolog enriched in striatum (Rhes) is predominantly expressed in the corpus striatum. Rhes mRNA is localized in virtually all dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-bearing medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs), and cholinergic interneurons of striatum. Early studies in rodents showed that Rhes is developmentally regulated by thyroid hormone, as well as by dopamine innervation in adult rat, monkey and human brains. At cellular level, Rhes interferes with adenosine A2A- and dopamine D1 receptor-dependent cAMP/PKA pathway, upstream of the activation of the heterotrimeric G protein complex. Besides its involvement in GPCR-mediated signaling, Rhes modulates Akt pathway activation, acts as E3-ligase of mutant huntingtin, whose sumoylation accounts for neurotoxicity in Huntington's disease, and physically interacts with Beclin-1, suggesting its potential involvement in autophagy-related cellular events. In addition, this protein can also bind to and activate striatal mTORC1, one of the key players in l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Accordingly, lack of Rhes attenuated such motor disturbances in 6-OHDA-lesioned Rhes knockout mice. In support of its role in MSN-dependent functions, several studies documented that mutant animals displayed alterations in striatum-related phenotypes reminiscent of psychiatric illness in humans, including deficits in prepulse inhibition of startle reflex and, most interestingly, a striking enhancement of behavioral responses elicited by caffeine, phencyclidine or amphetamine. Overall, these data suggest that Rhes modulates molecular and biochemical events underlying striatal functioning, both in physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Napolitano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy.
| | - Livia D'Angelo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo de Girolamo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Avallone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pieter de Lange
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.
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