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Zhu D, Song S, Wang D, Kuang D, Cheng S, Zhou J, Zou S. Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor resembling hepatic adenoma and hepatocellular carcinoma on preoperative imaging: a case report. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1292313. [PMID: 38361782 PMCID: PMC10867255 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1292313] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa), an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm, arises from specialized perivascular epithelioid cells exhibiting distinct features of smooth muscle and melanocytic differentiation with unpredictable behavior. PEComa tends to occur more commonly in the uterus and kidneys; its occurrence in the liver is exceedingly rare. We presented a case of a 29-year-old woman with hepatic PEComa and evaluated the tumor with MRI, integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT scans at presentation. The patient had a history of intermittent utilization of oral contraceptive drugs for several years. An abdominal ultrasound in a physical examination from an outside institution revealed a mass in the liver. A contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI revealed restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and rapid contrast enhancement and washout patterns in the hepatic lesion, suggesting hepatic adenoma (HA) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further assessment was carried out using 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT scans. The hepatic lesion was non-FDG avid, whereas increased tracer uptake was observed on the 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Subsequently, laparoscopic partial resection of liver segment V was performed. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated positive staining for HMB45, Melan-A, and SMA while showing negative results for AFP, glypican-3, hepatocyte, and arginase-1. The results were indicative of a hepatic PEComa diagnosis based on these findings. We also review the current literature on the clinical characteristics, pathological features, and challenges in the diagnosis of hepatic PEComa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongling Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuang Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongdong Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dong Kuang
- Department of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Siyuan Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianyuan Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sijuan Zou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Shirzad S, Vafaee F, Forouzanfar F. The Neuroprotective Effects and Probable Mechanisms of Everolimus in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:4219-4230. [PMID: 37747596 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01409-6] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cellular growth and homeostasis. Changes in mTOR activity are often observed in many neurological diseases, such as stroke. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. However, there are currently no treatments that have been shown to enhance outcomes following ICH, so new treatments are urgently required. In this study, a selective mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, was applied to investigate the outcome after ICH and the possible underlying mechanism. The ICH model was established by autologous blood injection. Everolimus (50 and 100 µg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days' post-operation. The neurological functions were examined at 3, 7, and 14 days' post-ICH. Samples of brain tissue were collected to perform histopathological and immunohistochemical (NF-k-positive cell) examinations. Besides, the striatum was used to evaluate parameters related to oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiol levels) and inflammation markers (TNF-α and NO). Everolimus ameliorated ICH-induced neurological deficits. In addition, treatment with everolimus reduced infarct volume and NF-k-β positive cells as compared to the ICH group. Furthermore, everolimus significantly increased total thiol content and SOD activity while significantly reducing MDA, NO, and TNF- levels as compared to the ICH group. Collectively, our investigation showed that everolimus improves ICH outcome and modulates oxidative stress and inflammation after ICH. Treatment with rapamycin reduced neurological deficient, oxidative stress, and inflammation in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Shirzad
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Vafaee
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Neuroprotection of everolimus against focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2022; 31:106576. [PMID: 35633587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell growth and metabolism and integrates various signals under physiological and pathological conditions. Altered signaling of mTOR has been shown to play pathogenic roles in ischemic stroke. In the present study, the protective effect of everolimus, the selective mTOR inhibitor, in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. METHODS Wistar rats were exposed to MCAO (30 min) followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Everolimus (100, and 500 µg/kg) was administered at the time of reperfusion, intraperitoneally. 24 h post operation, the neurological function, infarct volume, histopathological alterations and the markers of oxidative stress including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiol levels were analyzed in the peri-infarct region. RESULTS In the rats subjected to MCAO, everolimus ameliorated neurological deficits, neuronal cell loss, and infarct volume, as compared to the stroke group. Also, everolimus significantly increased SOD activity and total thiol content, while markedly decreased the MDA level, as compared to MCAO group. CONCLUSION Single-dose administration of everolimus significantly improved neurological deficits and inhibited cortical cell loss by enhancing redox status, subsequently protected cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
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Genomic and Transcriptome Analysis to Identify the Role of the mTOR Pathway in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Its Potential Therapeutic Significance. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:6613151. [PMID: 34194607 PMCID: PMC8203410 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6613151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The mTOR pathway, a major signaling pathway, regulates cell growth and protein synthesis by activating itself in response to upstream signals. Overactivation of the mTOR pathway may affect the occurrence and development of cancer, but no specific treatment has been proposed for targeting the mTOR pathway. In this study, we explored the expression of mTOR pathway genes in a variety of cancers and the potential compounds that target the mTOR pathway and focused on an abnormal type of cancer, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). Based on the mRNA expression of the mTOR pathway gene, we divided KIRC patient samples into three clusters. We explored possible therapeutic targets of the mTOR pathway in KIRC. We predicted the IC50 of some classical targeted drugs to analyze their correlation with the mTOR pathway. Subsequently, we investigated the correlation of the mTOR pathway with histone modification and immune infiltration, as well as the response to anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy. Finally, we used a LASSO regression analysis to construct a model to predict the survival of patients with KIRC. This study shows that mTOR scores can be used as tools to study various treatments targeting the mTOR pathway and that we can predict the recovery of KIRC patients through the expression of mTOR pathway genes. These research results can provide a reference for future research on KIRC patient treatment strategies.
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Nosotti M, D'Ovidio F, Leiva-Juarez M, Keshavjee S, Rackauskas M, Van Raemdonck D, Ceulemans LJ, Krueger T, Koutsokera A, Schiavon M, Rea F, Iskender I, Moreno P, Alvarez A, Luzzi L, Paladini P, Rosso L, Bertani A, Venuta F, Pecoraro Y, Al-Kattan K, Kubisa B, Inci I. Rare indications for a lung transplant. A European Society of Thoracic Surgeons survey. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2020; 31:638-643. [PMID: 33057713 DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivaa165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Lung Transplantation Working Group promoted a survey to evaluate overall survival in a large cohort of patients receiving lung transplants for rare pulmonary diseases. METHODS We conducted a retrospective multicentre study. The primary end point was overall survival; secondary end points were survival of patients with the most common diagnoses in the context of rare pulmonary diseases and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free survival. Finally, we analysed risk factors for overall survival and CLAD-free survival. RESULTS Clinical records of 674 patients were extracted and collected from 13 lung transplant centres; diagnoses included 46 rare pulmonary diseases. Patients were followed for a median of 3.1 years. The median survival after a lung transplant was 8.5 years. The median CLAD-free survival was 8 years. The multivariable analysis for mortality identified CLAD as a strong negative predictor [hazard ratio (HR) 6.73)], whereas induction therapy was a protective factor (HR 0.68). The multivariable analysis for CLAD occurrence identified induction therapy as a protective factor (HR 0.51). When we stratified patients by CLAD occurrence in a Kaplan-Meier plot, the survival curves diverged significantly (log-rank test: P < 0.001). Patients with rare diseases who received transplants had chronic rejection rates similar to those of the general population who received transplants. CONCLUSIONS We observed that overall survival and CLAD-free survival were excellent. We support the practice of allocating lungs to patients with rare pulmonary diseases because a lung transplant is both effective and ethically acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Nosotti
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Frank D'Ovidio
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miguel Leiva-Juarez
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shaf Keshavjee
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Dirk Van Raemdonck
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurens J Ceulemans
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thorsten Krueger
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Angela Koutsokera
- Lung Transplant Program, Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco Schiavon
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Federico Rea
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilker Iskender
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paula Moreno
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Unit, University Hospital Reina Sofia, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Alvarez
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Unit, University Hospital Reina Sofia, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Luca Luzzi
- Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Piero Paladini
- Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rosso
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertani
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Unit, IRCCS - ISMETT (Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta specializzazione), Palermo, Italy
| | - Federico Venuta
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Ylenia Pecoraro
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Khaled Al-Kattan
- Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bartosz Kubisa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ilhan Inci
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Cholet C, Delalandre C, Monnier-Cholley L, Le Pimpec-Barthes F, El Mouhadi S, Arrivé L. Nontraumatic Chylothorax: Nonenhanced MR Lymphography. Radiographics 2020; 40:1554-1573. [PMID: 33001788 DOI: 10.1148/rg.2020200044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chylothorax is a rare cause of pleural effusion, secondary to accumulation of lymph in the pleural space. Diagnosis is based on the triglyceride and cholesterol content of pleural fluid obtained with thoracentesis. Because the lymphatic system plays an essential role in fat absorption and immune response, lymphatic leak associated with chylothorax may cause life-threatening malnutrition and immunodeficiency. Chylothorax is usually described as traumatic or nontraumatic. The main cause of chylothorax is traumatic, typically postsurgical, secondary to iatrogenic direct puncture of the thoracic duct during thoracic surgery. Causes of nontraumatic chylothorax include a wide range of differential diagnoses. Lymphoma and thoracic malignancies are the most common causes and are responsible for chylothorax by extrinsic compression or invasion of the thoracic duct. Other rare causes include primary and secondary diffuse lymphatic diseases, responsible for chylothorax by lymphatic vessel wall dysfunction. Imaging the lymphatic system remains a challenge in the days of modern imaging. Nonenhanced MR lymphography is a noninvasive technique based on heavily T2-weighted sequences, thus enabling visualization of the lymphatic circulation. This technique allows diagnosis and differential diagnosis, evaluation of disease severity, and guidance of therapeutic management in nontraumatic chylothorax. Furthermore, it may offer radiologic classification of primary lymphatic diseases on the basis of morphologic features of lymphatic vessels. The authors describe the anatomy and physiology of the thoracic lymphatic system, present the technique of nonenhanced MR lymphography, and discuss pathophysiologic mechanisms and imaging features in different causes of nontraumatic chylothorax. ©RSNA, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Cholet
- From the Department of Radiology, Saint-Antoine Hospital (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France (C.C., C.D., L.M.C., S.E.M., L.A.); Médecine Sorbonne University, Paris, France (C.C., L.A.); and Department of Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France (F.L.P.B.)
| | - Coline Delalandre
- From the Department of Radiology, Saint-Antoine Hospital (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France (C.C., C.D., L.M.C., S.E.M., L.A.); Médecine Sorbonne University, Paris, France (C.C., L.A.); and Department of Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France (F.L.P.B.)
| | - Laurence Monnier-Cholley
- From the Department of Radiology, Saint-Antoine Hospital (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France (C.C., C.D., L.M.C., S.E.M., L.A.); Médecine Sorbonne University, Paris, France (C.C., L.A.); and Department of Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France (F.L.P.B.)
| | - Françoise Le Pimpec-Barthes
- From the Department of Radiology, Saint-Antoine Hospital (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France (C.C., C.D., L.M.C., S.E.M., L.A.); Médecine Sorbonne University, Paris, France (C.C., L.A.); and Department of Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France (F.L.P.B.)
| | - Sanaâ El Mouhadi
- From the Department of Radiology, Saint-Antoine Hospital (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France (C.C., C.D., L.M.C., S.E.M., L.A.); Médecine Sorbonne University, Paris, France (C.C., L.A.); and Department of Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France (F.L.P.B.)
| | - Lionel Arrivé
- From the Department of Radiology, Saint-Antoine Hospital (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France (C.C., C.D., L.M.C., S.E.M., L.A.); Médecine Sorbonne University, Paris, France (C.C., L.A.); and Department of Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery, Georges Pompidou European Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France (F.L.P.B.)
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Lim KH, Silverstone EJ, Yates DH. Multifocal Micronodular Pneumocyte Hyperplasia in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Resolution with Everolimus Treatment. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 201:e76. [PMID: 31870163 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201907-1302im] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth J Silverstone
- Department of Medical Imaging, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
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Ennis S, Silverstone EJ, Yates DH. Investigating cystic lung disease: a respiratory detective approach. Breathe (Sheff) 2020; 16:200041. [PMID: 33304403 PMCID: PMC7714545 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0041-2020] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cystic lung diseases are rare orphan lung disorders that most physicians will see infrequently in their everyday practice. Diagnostic and treatment options have improved over recent decades, with opportunities for slowing rate of progression and improving outcome for patients. This review provides a summary of the clinical approach to these lung disorders, including how to differentiate between different imaging patterns, clinical features, differential diagnosis and characteristics of the commonest presenting disorders. Cystic lung diseases are uncommon disorders with a wide differential diagnosis. Treatment has improved over the last decade and respiratory physicians should feel encouraged to investigate such cases thoroughly to reach a final diagnosis.https://bit.ly/2W6Is9D
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Rønnow SR, Dabbagh RQ, Genovese F, Nanthakumar CB, Barrett VJ, Good RB, Brockbank S, Cruwys S, Jessen H, Sorensen GL, Karsdal MA, Leeming DJ, Sand JMB. Prolonged Scar-in-a-Jar: an in vitro screening tool for anti-fibrotic therapies using biomarkers of extracellular matrix synthesis. Respir Res 2020; 21:108. [PMID: 32381012 PMCID: PMC7203825 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-020-01369-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rapidly progressing disease with challenging management. To find novel effective therapies, better preclinical models are needed for the screening of anti-fibrotic compounds. Activated fibroblasts drive fibrogenesis and are the main cells responsible for the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, a prolonged Scar-in-a-Jar assay was combined with clinically validated biochemical markers of ECM synthesis to evaluate ECM synthesis over time. To validate the model as a drug screening tool for novel anti-fibrotic compounds, two approved compounds for IPF, nintedanib and pirfenidone, and a compound in development, omipalisib, were tested. METHODS Primary human lung fibroblasts from healthy donors were cultured for 12 days in the presence of ficoll and were stimulated with TGF-β1 with or without treatment with an ALK5/TGF-β1 receptor kinase inhibitor (ALK5i), nintedanib, pirfenidone or the mTOR/PI3K inhibitor omipalisib (GSK2126458). Biomarkers of ECM synthesis were evaluated over time in cell supernatants using ELISAs to assess type I, III, IV, V and VI collagen formation (PRO-C1, PRO-C3, PRO-C4, PRO-C5, PRO-C6), fibronectin (FBN-C) deposition and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. RESULTS TGF-β1 induced synthesis of PRO-C1, PRO-C6 and FBN-C as compared with unstimulated fibroblasts at all timepoints, while PRO-C3 and α-SMA levels were not elevated until day 8. Elevated biomarkers were reduced by suppressing TGF-β1 signalling with ALK5i. Nintedanib and omipalisib were able to reduce all biomarkers induced by TGF-β1 in a concentration dependent manner, while pirfenidone had no effect on α-SMA. CONCLUSIONS TGF-β1 stimulated synthesis of type I, III and VI collagen, fibronectin and α-SMA but not type IV or V collagen. Synthesis was increased over time, although temporal profiles differed, and was modulated pharmacologically by ALK5i, nintedanib, pirfenidone and omipalisib. This prolonged 12-day Scar-in-a-Jar assay utilising biochemical markers of ECM synthesis provides a useful screening tool for novel anti-fibrotic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rank Rønnow
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rand Qais Dabbagh
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Federica Genovese
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Vikki J Barrett
- Department of Fibrosis DPU, Respiratory TA, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - Robert B Good
- Department of Fibrosis DPU, Respiratory TA, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - Sarah Brockbank
- Innovative Medicines Unit, Grünenthal Innovation, Aachen, Germany
- Present Address: Medicines Discovery Catapult, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK
| | - Simon Cruwys
- Innovative Medicines Unit, Grünenthal Innovation, Aachen, Germany
- Present Address: TherapeutAix AG, Aachen, Germany
| | - Henrik Jessen
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Grith Lykke Sorensen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Asser Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Diana Julie Leeming
- Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Herlev Hovedgade 205-207, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
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Seow J, McGill M, Wang W, Smith P, Goodwin M. Imaging hepatic angiomyolipomas: key features and avoiding errors. Clin Radiol 2019; 75:88-99. [PMID: 31677881 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2019.09.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic angiomyolipomas (HAMLs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms, which have highly variable imaging appearances, often leading to misdiagnosis. They belong to the family of perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms (PEComas). HAMLs have a wide spectrum of imaging appearances due to variable amounts of smooth muscle cells, adipose tissue, and blood vessels in their makeup. Although typically sporadic, they are also associated with tuberous sclerosis. Sporadic lesions tend to be solitary whilst patients with tuberous sclerosis often have multiple HAMLs invariably accompanied by renal AMLs. Having been originally considered benign hamartomas, increasing reports of complications, including malignant behaviour, has also resulted in uncertainty in regard to their optimal management. Typically described imaging characteristics are of a hypervascular fat-containing lesion with prominent intratumoural vessels and an early draining vein; however HAMLs commonly demonstrate a paucity of fat or wash-out on contrast-enhanced imaging, and not all HAML lesions are hypervascular. HAMLs can therefore easily be misdiagnosed as other hepatic lesions, in particular hepatocellular carcinoma. This review describes the imaging characteristics of HAMLs, illustrating the wide variety of potential appearances across ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, and highlights the challenges and potential errors that can be made. This review will aid radiologists in avoiding potentially major pitfalls when faced with this rare but important liver pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Seow
- Radiology Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - M McGill
- Radiology Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Australia
| | - W Wang
- Radiology Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - P Smith
- Epworth Medical Imaging, Geelong, Australia
| | - M Goodwin
- Radiology Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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11
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Establishment of a Regional Interdisciplinary Medical System for Managing Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Sci Rep 2018; 8:16747. [PMID: 30425292 PMCID: PMC6233214 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by lesions that involve multiple organs. Interdisciplinary management at individual facilities needs to be coordinated to treat multiple organ systems. We hypothesized that the number of patients, opportunities for patients to undergo examinations, and opportunities for patients to be treated would increase after establishment of a TSC board (TB) in our hospital. From August 1979 to August 2017, 76 patients were studied. We established the TB in our hospital in 2014. We divided the patients into the pre-TB group and post-TB group. Patients consisted of 33 females and 43 males (mean age, 18.7 years; median age, 15 years). The follow-up period was 2 to 457 months (mean, 51.6 months; median, 24.5 months). Twenty-four patients were in the pre-TB group, and 52 were in the post-TB group. Regular follow-up (p < 0.001), younger age (p = 0.002), opportunities for patients to undergo examinations, opportunities for patients to receive neurological treatment (p < 0.001), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor usage (p = 0.041) were significantly higher in the post-TB group. The radial relationship around the axis of TSC coordinators may be the key to interdisciplinary management of TSC.
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Fanoudi S, Hosseini M, Alavi MS, Boroushaki MT, Hosseini A, Sadeghnia HR. Everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, ameliorated streptozotocin-induced learning and memory deficits via neurochemical alterations in male rats. EXCLI JOURNAL 2018; 17:999-1017. [PMID: 30564080 PMCID: PMC6295637 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Everolimus (EVR), as a rapamycin analog, is a selective inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase and its associated signaling pathway. mTOR is a serine/threonine protein kinase and its hyperactivity is involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and associated cognitive deficits. The present study evaluated the impact of EVR, on cognitive functions, hippocampal cell loss, and neurochemical parameters in the intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (icv-STZ) model of AD rats. EVR (1 and 5 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days following the single administration of STZ (3 mg/kg, icv) or for 7 days on days 21-28 post-STZ injection after establishment of cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive deficits (passive avoidance and spatial memory), oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and percentage of cell loss were evaluated in the hippocampus. Chronic administration (1 and 5 mg/kg for 21 days from the day of surgery and icv-STZ infusion) or acute injection (5 mg/kg for 7 days after establishment of cognitive impairment) of EVR significantly attenuated cognitive dysfunction, neuronal loss, oxidative stress and AChE activity in the hippocampus of STZ-AD rats. In conclusion, our study showed that EVR could prevent or improve deteriorations in behavioral, biochemical and histopathological features of the icv-STZ rat model of AD. Therefore, inhibition of the hyperactivated mTOR may be an important therapeutic target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Fanoudi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hosseini
- Division of Neurocognitive Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohaddeseh Sadat Alavi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taher Boroushaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Azar Hosseini
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid R Sadeghnia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Division of Neurocognitive Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Molina-Molina M, Machahua-Huamani C, Vicens-Zygmunt V, Llatjós R, Escobar I, Sala-Llinas E, Luburich-Hernaiz P, Dorca J, Montes-Worboys A. Anti-fibrotic effects of pirfenidone and rapamycin in primary IPF fibroblasts and human alveolar epithelial cells. BMC Pulm Med 2018; 18:63. [PMID: 29703175 PMCID: PMC5922028 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-018-0626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pirfenidone, a pleiotropic anti-fibrotic treatment, has been shown to slow down disease progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a fatal and devastating lung disease. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of fibroblast proliferation could be a potential anti-fibrotic drug to improve the effects of pirfenidone. METHODS Primary lung fibroblasts from IPF patients and human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) were treated in vitro with pirfenidone and rapamycin in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β). Extracellular matrix protein and gene expression of markers involved in lung fibrosis (tenascin-c, fibronectin, collagen I [COL1A1], collagen III [COL3A1] and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) were analyzed. A cell migration assay in pirfenidone, rapamycin and TGF-β-containing media was performed. RESULTS Gene and protein expression of tenascin-c and fibronectin of fibrotic fibroblasts were reduced by pirfenidone or rapamycin treatment. Pirfenidone-rapamycin treatment did not revert the epithelial to mesenchymal transition pathway activated by TGF-β. However, the drug combination significantly abrogated fibroblast to myofibroblast transition. The inhibitory effect of pirfenidone on fibroblast migration in the scratch-wound assay was potentiated by rapamycin combination. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the combination of pirfenidone and rapamycin widen the inhibition range of fibrogenic markers and prevents fibroblast migration. These results would open a new line of research for an anti-fibrotic combination therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Molina-Molina
- Department of Pneumology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Pneumology Research Group, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Research Network in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - C. Machahua-Huamani
- Pneumology Research Group, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - V. Vicens-Zygmunt
- Department of Pneumology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Pneumology Research Group, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R. Llatjós
- Department of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I. Escobar
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E. Sala-Llinas
- Research Network in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Penumology, Son Espases University Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - P. Luburich-Hernaiz
- Servei de Diagnostic per la Imatge El Prat (SDPI El Prat) Department of Radiology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Dorca
- Department of Pneumology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Pneumology Research Group, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Research Network in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Montes-Worboys
- Department of Pneumology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Pneumology Research Group, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Research Network in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratori de Pneumologia Experimental (Lab. 4126). IDIBELL, Pavelló de Govern. Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Hospital de Bellvitge, Carrer de la Feixa Llarga, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has been studied in the context of an impressive number of biological processes and disease states, including major diseases of the lung such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the rare condition lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The involvement of mTOR in so many disease states (in and out of the lung) raises the question how one signaling pathway can have overlapping but diverse roles seemingly everywhere. Findings in the last decade have placed the mTOR pathway in a new context as an important, conserved mediator of the aging process. This offers one explanation for the pleiotropic effects of mTOR: -that many chronic diseases are also diseases of aging and that pathways modulating aging will have widespread effects on associated disease. However, this may not be the entire story, because mTOR is also implicated in a large number of diseases not linked to aging. In this article, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding mTOR, especially in the context of lung pathologies, and offer a potential explanation for its widespread involvement in human disease.
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Genomic rearrangements in sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis: an evolving genetic story. Mod Pathol 2017; 30:1223-1233. [PMID: 28643793 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2017.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a progressive pulmonary cystic disease resulting from the infiltration of smooth muscle-like lymphangioleiomyomatosis cells into the lung. The migratory/metastasizing properties of the lymphangioleiomyomatosis cell together with the presence of somatic mutations, primarily in the tuberous sclerosis complex gene (TSC2), lead many to consider this a low-grade malignancy. As malignant tumors characteristically accumulate somatic structural variations, which have not been well studied in sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis, we utilized mate pair sequencing to define structural variations within laser capture microdissected enriched lymphangioleiomyomatosis cell populations from five sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis patients. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis cells were confirmed in each tissue by hematoxylin eosin stain review and by HMB-45 immunohistochemistry in four cases. A mutation panel demonstrated characteristic TSC2 driver mutations in three cases. Genomic profiles demonstrated normal diploid coverage across all chromosomes, with no aneuploidy or detectable gains/losses of whole chromosomal arms typical of neoplastic diseases. However, somatic rearrangements and smaller deletions were validated in the two cases which lacked TSC2 driver mutations. Most significantly, one of these sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis cases contained two different size deletions encompassing the entire TSC1 locus. The detection of a homozygous deletion of TSC1 driving a predicted case of sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis, consistent with the common two-hit TSC2 mutation model, has never been reported for sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis. However, while no evidence of the hereditary tuberous sclerosis complex disease was reported for this patient, the potential for mosaicism and sub-clinical phenotype cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that somatic structural rearrangements are present in lymphangioleiomyomatosis disease and provides a novel method of genomic characterization of sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis cells, aiding in defining cases with no detected mutations by conventional methodologies. These structural rearrangements could represent additional pathogenic mechanisms in sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis disease, potentially affecting response to therapy and adding to the complex genetic story of this rare disease.
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Fruman DA, Chiu H, Hopkins BD, Bagrodia S, Cantley LC, Abraham RT. The PI3K Pathway in Human Disease. Cell 2017; 170:605-635. [PMID: 28802037 PMCID: PMC5726441 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1558] [Impact Index Per Article: 222.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity is stimulated by diverse oncogenes and growth factor receptors, and elevated PI3K signaling is considered a hallmark of cancer. Many PI3K pathway-targeted therapies have been tested in oncology trials, resulting in regulatory approval of one isoform-selective inhibitor (idelalisib) for treatment of certain blood cancers and a variety of other agents at different stages of development. In parallel to PI3K research by cancer biologists, investigations in other fields have uncovered exciting and often unpredicted roles for PI3K catalytic and regulatory subunits in normal cell function and in disease. Many of these functions impinge upon oncology by influencing the efficacy and toxicity of PI3K-targeted therapies. Here we provide a perspective on the roles of class I PI3Ks in the regulation of cellular metabolism and in immune system functions, two topics closely intertwined with cancer biology. We also discuss recent progress developing PI3K-targeted therapies for treatment of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA.
| | - Honyin Chiu
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Benjamin D Hopkins
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, 413 E. 69(th) Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Shubha Bagrodia
- Oncology R&D Group, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10646/CB4 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Lewis C Cantley
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, 413 E. 69(th) Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Robert T Abraham
- Oncology R&D Group, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10646/CB4 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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Martirossian A, Shah S, Carrete L, Valle J, Valentine V. Durability of Sirolimus for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Am J Med Sci 2016; 354:603-607. [PMID: 29208258 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2016.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare, multisystem disorder primarily affecting women of reproductive age, is characterized by cystic-appearing lung lesions, progressive loss of lung function, chylous effusions and renal angiomyolipomas. Sirolimus, an mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, has been shown to stabilize lung function, reduce symptoms and resolve chylous effusions in the short term for patients with LAM. Herein, we report a premenopausal female with LAM who experienced complete and durable resolution of her chylothoraces with significant and sustained improvement in lung function on sirolimus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Martirossian
- Department of Internal Medicine (AM, LC), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine (SS, JV), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine (VV), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama..
| | - Shiwan Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine (AM, LC), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine (SS, JV), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine (VV), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Lola Carrete
- Department of Internal Medicine (AM, LC), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine (SS, JV), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine (VV), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jose Valle
- Department of Internal Medicine (AM, LC), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine (SS, JV), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine (VV), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Vincent Valentine
- Department of Internal Medicine (AM, LC), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine (SS, JV), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine (VV), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Tramutola A, Lanzillotta C, Di Domenico F. Targeting mTOR to reduce Alzheimer-related cognitive decline: from current hits to future therapies. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 17:33-45. [PMID: 27690737 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2017.1244482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The mTOR pathway is involved in the regulation of a wide repertoire of cellular functions in the brain and its dysregulation is emerging as a leitmotif in a large number of neurological disorders. In AD, altered mTOR signaling contributes to the inhibition of autophagy deposition of Aβ and tau aggregates and to the alteration of several neuronal metabolic pathways. Areas covered: In this review, we report all the current findings on the use of mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, rapalogues) in the treatment of AD. These results support the role of mTOR inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents able to reduce AD hallmarks and recover cognitive performances. Expert commentary: Despite mTOR inhibitors appearing to be ideal compounds to counteract AD, further studies are needed in order to gain knowledge on the involvement of aberrant mTOR in AD, and to standardize a valuable therapeutic approach that can be translated to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Tramutola
- a Department of Biochemical Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Chiara Lanzillotta
- a Department of Biochemical Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Fabio Di Domenico
- a Department of Biochemical Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
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