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Echeverria V, Mendoza C, Iarkov A. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and learning and memory deficits in Neuroinflammatory diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1179611. [PMID: 37255751 PMCID: PMC10225599 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1179611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal survival depends on cognitive abilities such as learning and memory to adapt to environmental changes. Memory functions require an enhanced activity and connectivity of a particular arrangement of engram neurons, supported by the concerted action of neurons, glia, and vascular cells. The deterioration of the cholinergic system is a common occurrence in neurological conditions exacerbated by aging such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Cotinine is a cholinergic modulator with neuroprotective, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and memory-enhancing effects. Current evidence suggests Cotinine's beneficial effects on cognition results from the positive modulation of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and the inhibition of the toll-like receptors (TLRs). The α7nAChR affects brain functions by modulating the function of neurons, glia, endothelial, immune, and dendritic cells and regulates inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission throughout the GABA interneurons. In addition, Cotinine acting on the α7 nAChRs and TLR reduces neuroinflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the immune cells. Also, α7nAChRs stimulate signaling pathways supporting structural, biochemical, electrochemical, and cellular changes in the Central nervous system during the cognitive processes, including Neurogenesis. Here, the mechanisms of memory formation as well as potential mechanisms of action of Cotinine on memory preservation in aging and neurological diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Echeverria
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
- Research and Development Department, Bay Pines VAHCS, Bay Pines, FL, United States
| | - Cristhian Mendoza
- Facultad de Odontologia y Ciencias de la Rehabilitacion, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Alex Iarkov
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
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Santis GD, Takeda N, Hirata K, Tsuruta K, Ishiuchi SI, Xantheas SS, Fujii M. Structure of Gas Phase Monohydrated Nicotine: Implications for Nicotine's Native Structure in the Acetylcholine Binding Protein. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:16698-16702. [PMID: 36043852 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c04064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report a joint experimental-theoretical study of the never reported before structure and infrared spectra of gas phase monohydrated nicotine (NIC) and nornicotine (NOR) and use them to assign their protonation sites. NIC's biological activity is strongly affected by its protonation site, namely, the pyrrolidine (Pyrro-NICH+, anticipated active form) and pyridine (Pyri-NICH+) forms; however, these have yet to be directly experimentally determined in either the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR, no water present) or the acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP, a single water molecule is present) but can only be inferred to be Pyrro-NICH+ from the intermolecular distance to the neighboring residues (i.e., tryptophan). Our temperature-controlled double ion trap infrared spectroscopic experiments assisted by the collisional stripping method and high-level theoretical calculations yield the protonation ratio of Pyri:Pyrro = 8:2 at 240 K for the gas phase NICH+···(H2O) complex, which resembles the molecular cluster present in the AChBP. Therefore, a single water molecule in the gas phase enhances this ratio in NICH+ relative to the 3:2 for the nonhydrated gas phase NICH+ in a trend that contrasts with the almost exclusive presence of Pyrro-NICH+ in aqueous solution. In contrast, the Pyri-NORH+ protomer is exclusively observed, a fact that may correlate with its weaker biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett D Santis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Naoya Takeda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hirata
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Kazuya Tsuruta
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Ishiuchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,IIR Program for World Research (IPWR), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Sotiris S Xantheas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.,Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,Advanced Computing, Mathematics and Data Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999, MS K1-83, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Masaaki Fujii
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
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Di Lascio S, Fornasari D, Benfante R. The Human-Restricted Isoform of the α7 nAChR, CHRFAM7A: A Double-Edged Sword in Neurological and Inflammatory Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073463. [PMID: 35408823 PMCID: PMC8998457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CHRFAM7A is a relatively recent and exclusively human gene arising from the partial duplication of exons 5 to 10 of the α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (α7 nAChR) encoding gene, CHRNA7. CHRNA7 is related to several disorders that involve cognitive deficits, including neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders. In extra-neuronal tissues, α7nAChR plays an important role in proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion, cell contact, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression, as well as in the modulation of the inflammatory response through the “cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway”. CHRFAM7A translates the dupα7 protein in a multitude of cell lines and heterologous systems, while maintaining processing and trafficking that are very similar to the full-length form. It does not form functional ion channel receptors alone. In the presence of CHRNA7 gene products, dupα7 can assemble and form heteromeric receptors that, in order to be functional, should include at least two α7 subunits to form the agonist binding site. When incorporated into the receptor, in vitro and in vivo data showed that dupα7 negatively modulated α7 activity, probably due to a reduction in the number of ACh binding sites. Very recent data in the literature report that the presence of the duplicated gene may be responsible for the translational gap in several human diseases. Here, we will review the studies that have been conducted on CHRFAM7A in different pathologies, with the intent of providing evidence regarding when and how the expression of this duplicated gene may be beneficial or detrimental in the pathogenesis, and eventually in the therapeutic response, to CHRNA7-related neurological and non-neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Roberta Benfante
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Nathan PJ, Millais SB, Godwood A, Dewit O, Cross DM, Liptrot J, Ruparelia B, Jones SP, Bakker G, Maruff PT, Light GA, Brown AJ, Weir MP, Congreve M, Tasker T. A phase 1b/2a multicenter study of the safety and preliminary pharmacodynamic effects of selective muscarinic M 1 receptor agonist HTL0018318 in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2022; 8:e12273. [PMID: 35229025 PMCID: PMC8864442 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study examined the safety and pharmacodynamic effects of selective muscarinic M1 receptor orthosteric agonist HTL0018318 in 60 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) on background donepezil 10 mg/day. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week safety study of HTL0018318 with up-titration and maintenance phases, observing exploratory effects on electrophysiological biomarkers and cognition. RESULTS Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild and less frequently reported during maintenance versus titration. Headache was most commonly reported (7-21%); 0 to 13% reported cholinergic TEAEs (abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea) and two patients discontinued due to TEAEs. At 1 to 2 hours post-dose, HTL0018318-related mean maximum elevations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 5 to 10 mmHg above placebo were observed during up-titration but not maintenance. Postive effects of HTL0018318 were found on specific attention and memory endpoints. DISCUSSION HTL0018318 was well tolerated in mild-to-moderate AD patients and showed positive effects on attention and episodic memory on top of therapeutic doses of donepezil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep J. Nathan
- Heptares Therapeutics LtdCambridgeUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gregory A. Light
- Departmentof PsychiatryUniversity of San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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The nAChR Chaperone TMEM35a (NACHO) Contributes to the Development of Hyperalgesia in Mice. Neuroscience 2021; 457:74-87. [PMID: 33422618 PMCID: PMC7897319 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Pain is a major health problem, affecting over fifty million adults in the US alone, with significant economic cost in medical care and lost productivity. Despite evidence implicating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in pathological pain, their specific contribution to pain processing in the spinal cord remains unclear given their presence in both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. Here we investigated if loss of neuronal-specific TMEM35a (NACHO), a novel chaperone for functional expression of the homomeric α7 and assembly of the heteromeric α3, α4, and α6-containing nAChRs, modulates pain in mice. Mice with tmem35a deletion exhibited thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Intrathecal administration of nicotine and the α7-specific agonist, PHA543613, produced analgesic responses to noxious heat and mechanical stimuli in tmem35a KO mice, respectively, suggesting residual expression of these receptors or off-target effects. Since NACHO is expressed only in neurons, these findings indicate that neuronal α7 nAChR in the spinal cord contributes to heat nociception. To further determine the molecular basis underlying the pain phenotype, we analyzed the spinal cord transcriptome. Compared to WT control, the spinal cord of tmem35a KO mice exhibited 72 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were mapped onto functional gene networks using the knowledge-based database, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, and suggests increased neuroinflammation as a potential contributing factor for the hyperalgesia in tmem35a KO mice. Collectively, these findings implicate a heightened inflammatory response in the absence of neuronal NACHO activity. Additional studies are needed to determine the precise mechanism by which NACHO in the spinal cord modulates pain.
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Przybyłowska M, Dzierzbicka K, Kowalski S, Chmielewska K, Inkielewicz-Stepniak I. Therapeutic Potential of Multifunctional Derivatives of Cholinesterase Inhibitors. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:1323-1344. [PMID: 33342413 PMCID: PMC8719290 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666201218103434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work is to review tacrine analogues from the last three years, which were not included in the latest review work, donepezil and galantamine hybrids from 2015 and rivastigmine derivatives from 2014. In this account, we summarize the efforts toward the development and characterization of non-toxic inhibitors of cholinesterases based on mentioned drugs with various interesting additional properties such as antioxidant, decreasing β-amyloid plaque aggregation, nitric oxide production, pro-inflammatory cytokines release, monoamine oxidase-B activity, cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in vitro and in animal model that classify these hybrids as potential multifunctional therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, herein, we have described the cholinergic hypothesis, mechanisms of neurodegeneration and current pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease based on the restoration of cholinergic function through blocking enzymes that break down acetylcholine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Przybyłowska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dzierzbicka
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Szymon Kowalski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Klaudia Chmielewska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Iwona Inkielewicz-Stepniak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Donat CK, Hansen HH, Hansen HD, Mease RC, Horti AG, Pomper MG, L’Estrade ET, Herth MM, Peters D, Knudsen GM, Mikkelsen JD. In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of Dibenzothiophene Derivatives [ 125I]Iodo-ASEM and [ 18F]ASEM as Radiotracers of Homo- and Heteromeric α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25061425. [PMID: 32245032 PMCID: PMC7144377 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is involved in several cognitive and physiologic processes; its expression levels and patterns change in neurologic and psychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, which makes it a relevant drug target. Development of selective radioligands is important for defining binding properties and occupancy of novel molecules targeting the receptor. We tested the in vitro binding properties of [125I]Iodo-ASEM [(3-(1,4-diazabycyclo[3.2.2]nonan-4-yl)-6-(125I-iododibenzo[b,d]thiopentene 5,5-dioxide)] in the mouse, rat and pig brain using autoradiography. The in vivo binding properties of [18F]ASEM were investigated using positron emission tomography (PET) in the pig brain. [125I]Iodo-ASEM showed specific and displaceable high affinity (~1 nM) binding in mouse, rat, and pig brain. Binding pattern overlapped with [125I]α-bungarotoxin, specific binding was absent in α7 nAChR gene-deficient mice and binding was blocked by a range of α7 nAChR orthosteric modulators in an affinity-dependent order in the pig brain. Interestingly, relative to the wild-type, binding in β2 nAChR gene-deficient mice was lower for [125I]Iodo-ASEM (58% ± 2.7%) than [125I]α-bungarotoxin (23% ± 0.2%), potentially indicating different binding properties to heteromeric α7β2 nAChR. [18F]ASEM PET in the pig showed high brain uptake and reversible tracer kinetics with a similar spatial distribution as previously reported for α7 nAChR. Blocking with SSR-180,711 resulted in a significant decrease in [18F]ASEM binding. Our findings indicate that [125I]Iodo-ASEM allows sensitive and selective imaging of α7 nAChR in vitro, with better signal-to-noise ratio than previous tracers. Preliminary data of [18F]ASEM in the pig brain demonstrated principal suitable kinetic properties for in vivo quantification of α7 nAChR, comparable to previously published data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius K. Donat
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (H.H.H.); (H.D.H.); (E.T.L.); (G.M.K.)
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London W12 0 LS, UK
- Correspondence: (C.K.D.); (J.D.M.); Tel.: +45-40205378 (J.D.M)
| | - Henrik H. Hansen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (H.H.H.); (H.D.H.); (E.T.L.); (G.M.K.)
| | - Hanne D. Hansen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (H.H.H.); (H.D.H.); (E.T.L.); (G.M.K.)
| | - Ronnie C. Mease
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (R.C.M.); (A.G.H.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Andrew G. Horti
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (R.C.M.); (A.G.H.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (R.C.M.); (A.G.H.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Elina T. L’Estrade
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (H.H.H.); (H.D.H.); (E.T.L.); (G.M.K.)
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthias M. Herth
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Gitte M. Knudsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (H.H.H.); (H.D.H.); (E.T.L.); (G.M.K.)
| | - Jens D. Mikkelsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (H.H.H.); (H.D.H.); (E.T.L.); (G.M.K.)
- Correspondence: (C.K.D.); (J.D.M.); Tel.: +45-40205378 (J.D.M)
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Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Approaches. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1195:105-116. [PMID: 32468465 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-32633-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first described and diagnosed by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906 (Hippius and Neundorfer, Dialogues Clin Neurosc 5:101-108, 2003). According to World Health Organization (WHO), AD is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for as many as 60-70% of senile dementia cases and affecting 47.5 million people worldwide (data from 2015) (Dementia Fact Sheet No 362. http://who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs362/en/ ). The median survival time after the onset of dementia ranges from 3.3 to 11.7 years (Todd et al. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 28:1109-1124, 2013). AD is characterized as a severe, chronic, incurable, and progressive neurodegenerative disorder, associated with memory loss and cognition impairment accompanied by abnormal behavior and personality changes (Godyn et al. Pharmacol Rep 68:127-138, 2016). AD is characterized by neuronal death, which usually correlates with the appearance of key neuropathological changes, including acetylcholine deficiency, glutamate excitotoxicity, extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ plaques), intracellular neurofibrillary tangles by hyperphosphorylated tau protein deposits, neuroinflammation, and widespread neuronal loss (Godyn et al. Pharmacol Rep 68:127-138, 2016; Graham et al. Annu Rev. Med 68:413-430, 2017). The discovery of the degeneration of cholinergic neurons and the reduction of acetylcholine levels in postmortem studies of patients resulted in the use of drugs that leads to the increase of acetylcholine levels in brain (Dubois et al. Lacet Neurol 13:614-629, 2014). At present there is no preventative or curative treatment that interferes with the development of the disease. However, in recent years progress was made in the development of cholinergic drugs which have a positive effect on disease progression. Nowadays, specific drugs that can inhibit the enzyme that degrades acetylcholine are used. The development of new effective drugs involves a difficult and time-consuming process, accompanied by a very high failure rate. In the absence of effective therapies, the estimated number of people with dementia will reach 115 to 131, five million by 2050 (Dubois et al. Lacet Neurol 13:614-629, 2014; Cummings et al. Alzheimers Res Ther 6:37, 2014). Novel therapies and new targets required for developing more effective drugs for the treatment of AD patients are urgently needed.
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Fukuda T, Ayabe T, Ohya R, Ano Y. Matured hop bitter acids improve spatial working and object recognition memory via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2847-2854. [PMID: 31069423 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cognitive decline and dementia are major concerns in today's aging society. As limited treatments are available, measures to prevent cognitive decline and dementia are needed. We previously demonstrated that matured hop bitter acids (MHBA), bitter components of beer, increase norepinephrine in the hippocampus and improve memory in amnesia model mice induced by scopolamine (SCP), an antagonist of muscarinic receptor. However, other neurotransmitters involved in the effects of MHBA on memory improvement remain unknown. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the role of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) in the effects of MHBA on memory. METHOD The involvement of AChR on the effects of MHBA (10 mg/kg) on cognitive function was evaluated using AChR antagonists, SCP, mecamylamine hydrochloride (MEC), a non-competitive antagonist of nicotinic-AChR (nAChR), and methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA), an α7nAChR antagonist, for the Y-maze test and the novel object recognition test (NORT). A separate population of mice, which underwent vagotomy or sham operation, was subjected to NORT to elucidate further mechanism. In addition, the effect of MHBA on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in vitro. RESULTS In accordance with previous reports, MHBA improved spontaneous alternations of the Y-maze test in SCP-induced amnesia mice and increased discrimination index evaluated by the NORT in normal mice. On the other hand, treatment with MEC or MLA attenuated the effects of MHBA on memory improvement in the Y-maze test and the NORT. Vagotomized mice also showed attenuated memory enhancement by MHBA in the NORT. In addition, MHBA did not alter AChE activity in vitro. CONCLUSIONS The results support the involvement of nAChRs in memory improvement in mice by MHBA. MHBA is thus thought to activate the vagal nerve and enhance hippocampus-dependent memory via nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Fukuda
- Research Laboratories for Health Science & Food Technologies, Kirin Company, Ltd., Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Tatsuhiro Ayabe
- Research Laboratories for Health Science & Food Technologies, Kirin Company, Ltd., Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Rena Ohya
- Research Laboratories for Health Science & Food Technologies, Kirin Company, Ltd., Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Ano
- Research Laboratories for Health Science & Food Technologies, Kirin Company, Ltd., Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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Cecon E, Dam J, Luka M, Gautier C, Chollet AM, Delagrange P, Danober L, Jockers R. Quantitative assessment of oligomeric amyloid β peptide binding to α7 nicotinic receptor. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3475-3488. [PMID: 30981214 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Progressive dysfunction of cholinergic transmission is a well-known characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide oligomers are known to play a central role in AD and are suggested to impair the function of the cholinergic nicotinic ACh receptor α7 (α7nAChR). However, the mechanism underlying the effect of Aβ on α7nAChR function is not fully understood, limiting the therapeutic exploration of this observation in AD. Here, we aimed to detect and characterize Aβ binding to α7nAChR, including the possibility of interfering with this interaction for therapeutic purposes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We developed a specific and quantitative time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET)-based binding assay for Aβ to α7nAChR and pharmacologically characterized this interaction. KEY RESULTS We demonstrated specific and high-affinity (low nanomolar) binding of Aβ to the orthosteric binding site of α7nAChR. Aβ binding was prevented and reversed by the well-characterized orthosteric ligands of α7nAChR (epibatidine, α-bungarotoxin, methylylcaconitine, PNU-282987, S24795, and EVP6124) and by the type II positive allosteric modulator (PAM) PNU-120596 but not by the type I PAM NS1738. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our TR-FRET Aβ binding assay demonstrates for the first time the specific binding of Aβ to α7nAChR, which will be a crucial tool for the development, testing, and selection of a novel generation of AD drug candidates targeting Aβ/α7nAChR complexes with high specificity and fewer side effects compared to currently approved α7nAChR drugs. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Cecon
- Inserm U1016, Institut Cochin, Dept Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.,University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Julie Dam
- Inserm U1016, Institut Cochin, Dept Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.,University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Marine Luka
- Inserm U1016, Institut Cochin, Dept Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.,University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Clément Gautier
- Institut de Recherches SERVIER, Division Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Anne-Marie Chollet
- Institut de Recherches SERVIER, Division Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Philippe Delagrange
- Institut de Recherches SERVIER, Division Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Laurence Danober
- Institut de Recherches SERVIER, Division Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Ralf Jockers
- Inserm U1016, Institut Cochin, Dept Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.,University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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11
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Zhao L, Cheng X, Zhong C. Implications of Successful Symptomatic Treatment in Parkinson's Disease for Therapeutic Strategies of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:922-930. [PMID: 30474958 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been a devastating neurodegenerative disorder and lacks effective treatment to improve the prognosis for patients. Symptomatic treatment for AD mainly includes two categories: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (memantine). They cannot significantly improve the quality of life and extend survival time for AD patients. Worse, almost all clinical trials for disease-modifying drugs have failed, and the reduction of brain β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition by multiple approaches, including inhibitors of β- or γ-secretase, vaccines, and antibodies against Aβ deposition, was found to have little effect on AD progression. A new therapeutic strategy for AD is urgently needed. Parkinson's disease also is a neurodegenerative disease having no effective treatment for modifying the disease. Nevertheless, successful symptomatic treatment using the combined therapies of l-DOPA supplement and modulators of l-DOPA metabolism greatly improves the prognosis for PD patients; the average survival time of the patient has been extended from 3-4 years to 10-15 years although dopaminergic neurons are still progressively decreasing. This provides useful implications for AD therapeutic strategies. AD patients manifest global cognitive decline, prominently represented by memory deficit, especially in the early stages of the disease. Further, the degree of decreased cognitive abilities correlates with cholinergic dysfunction and the hypometabolism of glucose, the dominant energy fuel for brain. Thus, the amelioration of brain cholinergic function and brain energy metabolism may be effective treatment to improve cognitive abilities of AD patients. Here, we highlighted the explorations of symptomatic therapeutics through modulating brain cholinergic function and energy metabolism in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200111, China
| | - Xiaoqin Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, The Institute of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chunjiu Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, The Institute of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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12
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Bali ZK, Bruszt N, Tadepalli SA, Csurgyók R, Nagy LV, Tompa M, Hernádi I. Cognitive Enhancer Effects of Low Memantine Doses Are Facilitated by an Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:73. [PMID: 30804787 PMCID: PMC6371842 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in learning and memory and are promising targets for pharmacological cognitive enhancement. Memantine, an approved substance for Alzheimer's disease treatment, is an antagonist of the N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and also acts as an alpha7 nAChR antagonist. Here, we tested the interaction between an alpha7 nAChR agonist (PHA-543613) and memantine. Efficacy of memantine, PHA-543613, and their co-administration were investigated on the spatial working memory of rats using the spontaneous alternation paradigm in T-maze. Scopolamine-induced transient amnesia was used to model cognitive impairment. First, the dose-response relationship was assessed for memantine, and its lowest effective dose was found to be 0.1 mg/kg. Then, co-administration treatments with subeffective doses of the alpha7 nAChR agonist PHA-543613 and different doses of memantine were tested. The co-administration of subeffective drug doses significantly improved memory performance of the rats and reversed scopolamine-induced deficits. Interestingly, a higher than effective (0.3 mg/kg) dose of memantine did not increase performance in monotreatment, only in co-administration with PHA-543613. However, the co-administration of PHA-543613 did not further increase the efficacy of the previously effective monotreatment doses of memantine. Thus, the efficacy of memantine monotreatment and its co-administration with PHA-543613 converged to create a common ceiling effect, with an additive interaction found in the behavioral effects. These results suggest that memantine and PHA-543613 may exert their cognitive enhancer effects on the same target, possibly on the alpha7 nAChRs. Results also suggest possible benefits of a combination therapy with memantine and alpha7 nAChR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Kristóf Bali
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Nóra Bruszt
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Sai Ambika Tadepalli
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Roland Csurgyók
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Lili Veronika Nagy
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Márton Tompa
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Hernádi
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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13
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Novel 5-(quinuclidin-3-ylmethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles to investigate the activation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype: Synthesis and electrophysiological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 160:207-228. [PMID: 30342362 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are relevant therapeutic targets for a variety of disorders including neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and inflammation. Although traditionally identified as an ionotropic receptor, the α7 subtype showed metabotropic-like functions, mainly linked to the modulation of immune responses. In the present work, we investigated the structure-activity relationships in a set of novel α7 ligands incorporating the 5-(quinuclidin-3-ylmethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole scaffold, i.e. derivatives 21a-34a and 21b-34b, aiming to identify the structural requirements able to preferentially trigger one of the two activation modes of this receptor subtype. The new compounds were characterized as partial and silent α7 nAChR agonists in electrophysiological assays, which allowed to assess the contribution of the different groups towards the final pharmacological profile. Overall, modifications of the selected structural backbone mainly afforded partial agonists, among them tertiary bases 27a-33a, whereas additional hydrogen-bond acceptor groups in permanently charged ligands, such as 29b and 31b, favored a silent desensitizing profile at the α7 nAChR.
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14
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Zhang HY, Liu YH, Fu Y, Chen PC, Lu R, Li JX, Chen MH, Yang HC, Zhang YS. [Effect of intrahippocampal injection of anti-cellular prion protein monoclonal antibody on cognitive deficits in APPswe/PSEN1 dE9 transgenic mice]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2018; 38:443-449. [PMID: 29735445 PMCID: PMC6765653 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-4254.2018.04.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of intrahippocampal injection of cellular prion protein (PrPC) antibody on cognitive deficits of APPswe/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mice. METHODS Eight-month-old male APPswe/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mice were subjected to bilateral intrahippocampal injection of a single dose (2 µL) of anti-PrPC monoclonal antibody (EP1802Y) or PBS, with wild-type C57Bl/6J mice serving as the control group. After two months, the mice were tested for cognitive behaviors using open filed (OF) test, Morris water maze (MWM) test, fear conditioning (FC) test, and novel object recognition (NOR) test, and immunohistochemistry was used to examine the changes in hippocampal expression of Aβ1-42. RESULTS The EP1802Y-treated and PBS-treated mice showed no significantly differences in the performance in OF test in terms of central activity time or total distance of activity (P>0.05), nor in NOR test in terms of novel object recognition index (P>0.05). In MWM test, the EP1802Y-treated and PBS-treated mice showed significantly reduced crossings of the hidden platform as compared with the wild-type mice (P<0.05), but EP1802Y-treated mice had a significantly shorter swimming distance to find the platform than PBS-treated mice (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the results of FC test among the 3 groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significantly reduced expression of Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus of EP1802Y-treated mice. CONCLUSION Intrahippocampal injection of PrPC antibody can improve cognitive deficits of APPswe/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mice, which sheds light on a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease that targets PrPC to lower the toxicity of Aβ oligomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ying Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, China. E-mail:
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15
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Baakman AC, Alvarez‐Jimenez R, Rissmann R, Klaassen ES, Stevens J, Goulooze SC, den Burger JCG, Swart EL, van Gerven JMA, Groeneveld GJ. An anti-nicotinic cognitive challenge model using mecamylamine in comparison with the anti-muscarinic cognitive challenge using scopolamine. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2017; 83:1676-1687. [PMID: 28217868 PMCID: PMC5510063 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist scopolamine is often used for proof-of-pharmacology studies with pro-cognitive compounds. From a pharmacological point of view, it would seem more rational to use a nicotinic rather than a muscarinic anticholinergic challenge to prove pharmacology of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist. This study aims to characterize a nicotinic anticholinergic challenge model using mecamylamine and to compare it to the scopolamine model. METHODS In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way cross-over trial, 12 healthy male subjects received oral mecamylamine 10 and 20 mg, intravenous scopolamine 0.5 mg and placebo. Pharmacokinetics were analysed using non-compartmental analysis. Pharmacodynamic effects were measured with a multidimensional test battery that includes neurophysiological, subjective, (visuo)motor and cognitive measurements. RESULTS All treatments were safe and well tolerated. Mecamylamine had a tmax of 2.5 h and a Cmax of 64.5 ng ml-1 for the 20 mg dose. Mecamylamine had a dose-dependent effect decreasing the adaptive tracking performance and VAS alertness, and increasing the finger tapping and visual verbal learning task performance time and errors. Scopolamine significantly affected almost all pharmacodynamic tests. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that mecamylamine causes nicotinic receptor specific temporary decline in cognitive functioning. Compared with the scopolamine model, pharmacodynamic effects were less pronounced at the dose levels tested; however, mecamylamine caused less sedation. The cognitive effects of scopolamine might at least partly be caused by sedation. Whether the mecamylamine model can be used for proof-of-pharmacology of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jeroen C. G. den Burger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and PharmacyVU University Medical CenterAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Eleonora L. Swart
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and PharmacyVU University Medical CenterAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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16
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Vicary GW, Ritzenthaler JD, Panchabhai TS, Torres-González E, Roman J. Nicotine stimulates collagen type I expression in lung via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Respir Res 2017; 18:115. [PMID: 28576119 PMCID: PMC5457545 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-017-0596-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tobacco-related chronic lung diseases are characterized by alterations in lung architecture leading to decreased lung function. Knowledge of the exact mechanisms involved in tobacco-induced tissue remodeling and inflammation remains incomplete. We hypothesize that nicotine stimulates the expression of extracellular matrix proteins, leading to relative changes in lung matrix composition, which may affect immune cells entering the lung after injury. Methods Pulmonary fibroblasts from wildtype and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor knockout (α7KO) mice were exposed to nicotine and examined for collagen type 1 mRNA and protein expression. Testing the potential role on immune cell function, pulmonary fibroblasts were retained in culture for 120 h. The fibroblasts were eliminated by osmotic lysis and the remaining matrix-coated dishes were washed thoroughly. U937 cells were incubated on the matrix-coated dishes for 24 h followed by evaluation of IL-1β gene expression. Wildtype or α7KO C57BL/6 mice (female, 8–12 weeks) were fed normal diet and exposed to nicotine in their drinking water (100 μg/ml) for 8-12weeks. Lungs were processed for mRNA, protein, and histology. Statistical significance was determined at p ≤ .05 by two-tailed test or 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni posttest. Results We found that nicotine stimulated collagen type I mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner and up to 72 h in primary lung fibroblasts. The stimulatory effect of nicotine was inhibited in α7KO primary lung fibroblasts. Testing the potential role of these events on immune cell function, U937 monocytic cells were cultured atop matrices derived from nicotine-treated lung fibroblasts. These cells expressed more IL-1β than those cultured atop matrices derived from untreated fibroblasts, and antibodies against the α2β1 collagen integrin receptor inhibited the effect. Nicotine also stimulated fibroblast proliferation via MEK-1/ERK, unveiling a potentially amplifying pathway. In vivo, nicotine increased collagen type I expression was detected in wildtype, but not in α7KO mice. Wildtype mice showed increased collagen staining in lung, primarily around the airways. Conclusions These observations suggest that nicotine stimulates fibroblast proliferation and their expression of collagen type I through α7 nAChRs, thereby altering the relative composition of the lung matrix without impacting the overall lung architecture; this may influence inflammatory responses after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn W Vicary
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Ritzenthaler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Disorders, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 550 South Jackson Street (3rd floor), Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Tanmay S Panchabhai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Disorders, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 550 South Jackson Street (3rd floor), Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Edilson Torres-González
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Disorders, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 550 South Jackson Street (3rd floor), Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jesse Roman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Disorders, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 550 South Jackson Street (3rd floor), Louisville, KY, USA. .,Louisville Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA.
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17
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King D, Iwuagwu C, Cook J, McDonald IM, Mate R, Zusi FC, Hill MD, Fang H, Zhao R, Wang B, Easton AE, Miller R, Post-Munson D, Knox RJ, Gallagher L, Westphal R, Molski T, Fan J, Clarke W, Benitex Y, Lentz KA, Denton R, Morgan D, Zaczek R, Lodge NJ, Bristow LJ, Macor JE, Olson RE. BMS-933043, a Selective α7 nAChR Partial Agonist for the Treatment of Cognitive Deficits Associated with Schizophrenia. ACS Med Chem Lett 2017; 8:366-371. [PMID: 28337332 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic treatment of negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction associated with schizophrenia is a significant unmet medical need. Preclinical literature indicates that α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor agonists may provide an effective approach to treating cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. We report herein the discovery and evaluation of 1c (BMS-933043), a novel and potent α7 nACh receptor partial agonist with high selectivity against other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes (>100-fold) and the 5-HT3A receptor (>300-fold). In vivo activity was demonstrated in a preclinical model of cognitive impairment, mouse novel object recognition. BMS-933043 has completed Phase I clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalton King
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Christiana Iwuagwu
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Jim Cook
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Ivar M. McDonald
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Robert Mate
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - F. Christopher Zusi
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Matthew D. Hill
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Haiquan Fang
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Rulin Zhao
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Bei Wang
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Amy E. Easton
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Regina Miller
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Debra Post-Munson
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Ronald J. Knox
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Lizbeth Gallagher
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Ryan Westphal
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Thaddeus Molski
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Jingsong Fan
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Wendy Clarke
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Yulia Benitex
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Kimberley A. Lentz
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Rex Denton
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Daniel Morgan
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Robert Zaczek
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Nicholas J. Lodge
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Linda J. Bristow
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - John E. Macor
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Richard E. Olson
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
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Zhang JC, Yao W, Hashimoto K. Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-TrkB Signaling in Inflammation-related Depression and Potential Therapeutic Targets. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 14:721-31. [PMID: 26786147 PMCID: PMC5050398 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160119094646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is the most prevalent and among the most debilitating of psychiatric disorders. The precise neurobiology of this illness is unknown. Several lines of evidence suggest that peripheral and central inflammation plays a role in depressive symptoms, and that anti-inflammatory drugs can improve depressive symptoms in patients with inflammation-related depression. Signaling via brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomycin receptor kinase B (TrkB) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression and in the therapeutic mechanisms of antidepressants. A recent paper showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation gave rise to depression-like phenotype by altering BDNF-TrkB signaling in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens, areas thought to be involved in the antidepressant effects of TrkB agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) and TrkB antagonist, ANA-12. Here we provide an overview of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway and BDNF-TrkB signaling in the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced depression, and propose mechanistic actions for potential therapeutic agents. Additionally, the authors discuss the putative role of TrkB agonists and antagonists as novel therapeutic drugs for inflammation-related depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Hill MD, Fang H, King HD, Iwuagwu CI, McDonald IM, Cook J, Zusi FC, Mate RA, Knox RJ, Post-Munson D, Easton A, Miller R, Lentz K, Clarke W, Benitex Y, Lodge N, Zaczek R, Denton R, Morgan D, Bristow L, Macor JE, Olson R. Development of 4-Heteroarylamino-1'-azaspiro[oxazole-5,3'-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes] as α7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2017; 8:133-137. [PMID: 28105289 PMCID: PMC5238485 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the synthesis of quinuclidine-containing spiroimidates and their utility as α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonists. A convergent synthetic route allowed for rapid SAR investigation and provided a diverse set of fused 6,5-heteroaryl analogs. Two potent and selective α7 nAChR partial agonists, (1'S,3'R,4'S)-N-(7-bromopyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl)-4H-1'-azaspiro[oxazole-5,3'-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan]-2-amine (20) and (1'S,3'R,4'S)-N-(7-chloropyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl)-4H-1'-azaspiro[oxazole-5,3'-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan]-2-amine (21), were identified. Both agonists improved cognition in a preclinical rodent model of learning and memory. Additionally, 5-HT3A receptor SAR suggested the presence of a steric site that when engaged led to significant loss of affinity at that receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Hill
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Haiquan Fang
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - H. Dalton King
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Christiana I. Iwuagwu
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Ivar M. McDonald
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - James Cook
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - F. Christopher Zusi
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Robert A. Mate
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Ronald J. Knox
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Debra Post-Munson
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Amy Easton
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Regina Miller
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Kimberley Lentz
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Wendy Clarke
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Yulia Benitex
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Nicholas Lodge
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Robert Zaczek
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Rex Denton
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Daniel Morgan
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Linda Bristow
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - John E. Macor
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
| | - Richard Olson
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Research
and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660, United States
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20
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the loss of memory, multiple cognitive impairments and changes in the personality and behavior. Several decades of intense research have revealed that multiple cellular changes are involved in disease process, including synaptic damage, mitochondrial abnormalities and inflammatory responses, in addition to formation and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau. Although tremendous progress has been made in understanding the impact of neurotransmitters in the progression and pathogenesis of AD, we still do not have a drug molecule associated with neurotransmitter(s) that can delay disease process in elderly individuals and/or restore cognitive functions in AD patients. The purpose of our article is to assess the latest developments in neurotransmitters research using cell and mouse models of AD. We also updated the current status of clinical trials using neurotransmitters' agonists/antagonists in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Kandimalla
- Garrison Institute on Aging Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - P. Hemachandra Reddy
- Garrison Institute on Aging Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Cell Biology & Biochemistry Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Neurology Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Garrison Institute on Aging, South West Campus, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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21
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Sarasamkan J, Scheunemann M, Apaijai N, Palee S, Parichatikanond W, Arunrungvichian K, Fischer S, Chattipakorn S, Deuther-Conrad W, Schüürmann G, Brust P, Vajragupta O. Varying Chirality Across Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes: Selective Binding of Quinuclidine Triazole Compounds. ACS Med Chem Lett 2016; 7:890-895. [PMID: 27774124 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel quinuclidine anti-1,2,3-triazole derivatives T1-T6 were designed based on the structure of QND8. The binding studies revealed that the stereochemistry at the C3 position of the quinuclidine scaffold plays an important role in the nAChR subtype selectivity. Whereas the (R)-enantiomers are selective to α7 over α4β2 (by factors of 44-225) and to a smaller degree over α3β4 (3-33), their (S)-counterparts prefer α3β4 over α4β2 (62-237) as well as over α7 (5-294). The (R)-derivatives were highly selective to α7 over α3β4 subtypes compared to (RS)- and (R)-QND8. The (S)-enantiomers are 5-10 times more selective to α4β2 than their (R) forms. The overall strongest affinity is observed for the (S)-enantiomer binding to α3β4 (Ki, 2.25-19.5 nM) followed by their (R)-counterpart binding to α7 (Ki, 22.5-117 nM), with a significantly weaker (S)-enantiomer binding to α4β2 (Ki, 414-1980 nM) still above the very weak respective (R)-analogue affinity (Ki, 5059-10436 nM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiradanai Sarasamkan
- Center
of Excellence for Innovation in Drug Design and Discovery, Faculty
of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Department
of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- National
Cyclotron and PET Centre, Chulabhorn Hospital, 54 Kamphaengphet 6 Road, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Matthias Scheunemann
- Department
of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nattayaporn Apaijai
- Neurophysiology
Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty
of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Siripong Palee
- Neurophysiology
Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty
of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Warisara Parichatikanond
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya
Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Kuntarat Arunrungvichian
- Center
of Excellence for Innovation in Drug Design and Discovery, Faculty
of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Steffen Fischer
- Department
of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Siriporn Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology
Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty
of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Winnie Deuther-Conrad
- Department
of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerrit Schüürmann
- Department
of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, Permoserstraße15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute
for Organic Chemistry, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Leipziger Straße29, 09596 Freiberg, Germany
| | - Peter Brust
- Department
of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Opa Vajragupta
- Center
of Excellence for Innovation in Drug Design and Discovery, Faculty
of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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22
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Townsend M, Whyment A, Walczak JS, Jeggo R, van den Top M, Flood DG, Leventhal L, Patzke H, Koenig G. α7-nAChR agonist enhances neural plasticity in the hippocampus via a GABAergic circuit. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:2663-2675. [PMID: 27655963 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00243.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonists of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) have entered clinical trials as procognitive agents for treating schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The most advanced compounds are orthosteric agonists, which occupy the ligand binding site. At the molecular level, agonist activation of α7-nAChR is reasonably well understood. However, the consequences of activating α7-nAChRs on neural circuits underlying cognition remain elusive. Here we report that an α7-nAChR agonist (FRM-17848) enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat septo-hippocampal slices far below the cellular EC50 but at a concentration that coincides with multiple functional outcome measures as we reported in Stoiljkovic M, Leventhal L, Chen A, Chen T, Driscoll R, Flood D, Hodgdon H, Hurst R, Nagy D, Piser T, Tang C, Townsend M, Tu Z, Bertrand D, Koenig G, Hajós M. Biochem Pharmacol 97: 576-589, 2015. In this same concentration range, we observed a significant increase in spontaneous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory postsynaptic currents and a moderate suppression of excitability in whole cell recordings from rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. This modulation of GABAergic activity is necessary for the LTP-enhancing effects of FRM-17848, since inhibiting GABAA α5-subunit-containing receptors fully reversed the effects of the α7-nAChR agonist. These data suggest that α7-nAChR agonists may increase synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices, at least in part, through a circuit-level enhancement of a specific subtype of GABAergic receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ross Jeggo
- Cerebrasol, Ltd., Montreal, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | | | - Liza Leventhal
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts; and
| | - Holger Patzke
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts; and
| | - Gerhard Koenig
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts; and
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23
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Jeong JK, Park SY. Neuroprotective effect of cellular prion protein (PrPC) is related with activation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR)-mediated autophagy flux. Oncotarget 2015; 6:24660-74. [PMID: 26295309 PMCID: PMC4694786 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR) is regulated by prion protein (PrPC) expression and has a neuroprotective effect by modulating autophagic flux. In this study, we hypothesized that PrPC may regulate α7nAchR activation and that may prevent prion-related neurodegenerative diseases by regulating autophagic flux. PrP(106-126) treatment decreased α7nAchR expression and activation of autophagic flux. In addition, the α7nAchR activator PNU-282987 enhanced autophagic flux and protected neuron cells against PrP(106-126)-induced apoptosis. However, activation of autophagy and the protective effects of PNU-282987 were inhibited in PrPC knockout hippocampal neuron cells. In addition, PrPC knockout hippocampal neuron cells showed decreased α7nAchR expression levels. Adenoviral overexpression of PrPC in PrPC knockout hippocampal neuron cells resulted in activation of autophagic flux and inhibition of prion peptide-mediated cell death via α7nAchR activation. This is the first report demonstrating that activation of α7nAchR-mediated autophagic flux is regulated by PrPC, and that activation of α7nAchR regulated by PrPC expression may play a pivotal role in protection of neuron cells against prion peptide-induced neuron cell death by autophagy. These results suggest that α7nAchR-mediated autophagic flux may be involved in the pathogenesis of prion-related diseases and may be a therapeutic target for prion-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Kyo Jeong
- Biosafety Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Sang-Youel Park
- Biosafety Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
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24
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Wu ZS, Cheng H, Jiang Y, Melcher K, Xu HE. Ion channels gated by acetylcholine and serotonin: structures, biology, and drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2015; 36:895-907. [PMID: 26238288 PMCID: PMC4564887 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and the 5-HT3 receptors (5-HT3Rs) are cation-selective members of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs), which are oligomeric protein assemblies that convert a chemical signal into an ion flux through postsynaptic membrane. They are critical components for synaptic transmission in the nervous system, and their dysfunction contributes to many neurological disorders. The diverse subunit compositions of pLGICs give rise to complex mechanisms of ligand recognition, channel gating, and ion-selective permeability, which have been demonstrated in numerous electrophysiological and molecular biological studies, and unraveled by progress in studying the structural biology of this protein family. In this review, we discuss recent insights into the structural and functional basis of two cation-selective pLGICs, the nAChR and the 5-HT3R, including their subunit compositions, ligand binding, and channel gating mechanisms. We also discuss their relevant pharmacology and drug discovery for treating various neurological disorders. Finally, we review a model of two alternative ion conducting pathways based on the latest 5-HT3A crystal structure.
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25
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Beinat C, Banister SD, Herrera M, Law V, Kassiou M. The therapeutic potential of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) agonists for the treatment of the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. CNS Drugs 2015; 29:529-42. [PMID: 26242477 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-015-0260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Homomeric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) have implications in the regulation of cognitive processes such as memory and attention, and have shown promise as a therapeutic target for the treatment of the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. Multiple α7 nAChR agonists have entered human trials; however, unfavorable side effects and pharmacokinetic issues have hindered the development of a clinical α7 nAChR agonist. Currently, EVP-6124 is in phase III clinical trials, and several other α7 nAChR agonists (GTS-21 and AQW051) are in earlier stages of development. This review will summarize the recent advances and failures of α7 nAChR agonists in clinical trials for the treatment of the aforementioned pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Beinat
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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26
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Hashimoto K. Targeting of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and the Use of Auditory Sensory Gating as a Translational Biomarker. Curr Pharm Des 2015; 21:3797-806. [PMID: 26044974 PMCID: PMC5024727 DOI: 10.2174/1381612821666150605111345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) plays a key role in inflammatory processes, thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Preclinical and clinical studies showed that the diminished suppression of P50 auditory evoked potentials in patients with schizophrenia may be associated with a decreased density of α7 nAChRs in the brain. This points to a role for auditory sensory gating (P50) as a translational biomarker. A number of agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) for α7 nAChR promoted beneficial effects in animal models with sensory gating and cognitive deficits. Additionally, several clinical studies showed that α7 nAChR agonists could improve suppression in auditory P50 evoked potentials, as well as cognitive deficits, and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Taken together, α7 nAChR presents as an extremely attractive therapeutic target for schizophrenia. In this article, the author discusses recent findings on α7 nAChR agonists such as DMXB-A, RG3487, TC-5619, tropisetron, EVP-6124 (encenicline), ABT-126, AQW051 and α7 nAChR PAMs such as JNJ-39393406, PNU- 120596 and AVL-3288 (also known as UCI-4083), and their potential as therapeutic drugs for neuropsychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic, Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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27
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Garção P, Szabó EC, Wopereis S, Castro AA, Tomé ÂR, Prediger RD, Cunha RA, Agostinho P, Köfalvi A. Functional interaction between pre-synaptic α6β2-containing nicotinic and adenosine A2A receptors in the control of dopamine release in the rat striatum. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 169:1600-11. [PMID: 23638679 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pre-synaptic nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) and adenosine A2A receptors (A2A Rs) are involved in the control of dopamine release and are putative therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease and addiction. Since A2A Rs have been reported to interact with nAChRs, here we aimed at mapping the possible functional interaction between A2A Rs and nAChRs in rat striatal dopaminergic terminals. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We pharmacologically characterized the release of dopamine and defined the localization of nAChR subunits in rat striatal nerve terminals in vitro and carried out locomotor behavioural sensitization in rats in vivo. KEY RESULTS In striatal nerve terminals, the selective A2A R agonist CGS21680 inhibited, while the A2A R antagonist ZM241385 potentiated the nicotine-stimulated [(3) H]dopamine ([(3) H]DA) release. Upon blockade of the α6 subunit-containing nAChRs, the remaining nicotine-stimulated [(3) H]DA release was no longer modulated by A2A R ligands. In the locomotor sensitization experiments, nicotine enhanced the locomotor activity on day 7 of repeated nicotine injection, an effect that no longer persisted after 1 week of drug withdrawal. Notably, ZM241385-injected rats developed locomotor sensitization to nicotine already on day 2, which remained persistent upon nicotine withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results provide the first evidence for a functional interaction between nicotinic and adenosine A2A R in striatal dopaminergic terminals, with likely therapeutic consequences for smoking, Parkinson's disease and other dopaminergic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Garção
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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28
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Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in attention circuitry: the role of layer VI neurons of prefrontal cortex. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1225-44. [PMID: 24122021 PMCID: PMC3949016 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic modulation of prefrontal cortex is essential for attention. In essence, it focuses the mind on relevant, transient stimuli in support of goal-directed behavior. The excitation of prefrontal layer VI neurons through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors optimizes local and top-down control of attention. Layer VI of prefrontal cortex is the origin of a dense feedback projection to the thalamus and is one of only a handful of brain regions that express the α5 nicotinic receptor subunit, encoded by the gene chrna5. This accessory nicotinic receptor subunit alters the properties of high-affinity nicotinic receptors in layer VI pyramidal neurons in both development and adulthood. Studies investigating the consequences of genetic deletion of α5, as well as other disruptions to nicotinic receptors, find attention deficits together with altered cholinergic excitation of layer VI neurons and aberrant neuronal morphology. Nicotinic receptors in prefrontal layer VI neurons play an essential role in focusing attention under challenging circumstances. In this regard, they do not act in isolation, but rather in concert with cholinergic receptors in other parts of prefrontal circuitry. This review urges an intensification of focus on the cellular mechanisms and plasticity of prefrontal attention circuitry. Disruptions in attention are one of the greatest contributing factors to disease burden in psychiatric and neurological disorders, and enhancing attention may require different approaches in the normal and disordered prefrontal cortex.
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29
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The role of serotonin in memory: interactions with neurotransmitters and downstream signaling. Exp Brain Res 2014; 232:723-38. [PMID: 24430027 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-013-3818-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is found to be involved in many physiological or pathophysiological processes including cognitive function. Seven distinct receptors (5-HT1-7), each with several subpopulations, have been identified for serotonin, which are different in terms of localization and downstream signaling. Because of the development of selective agonists and antagonists for these receptors as well as transgenic animal models of cognitive disorders, our understanding of the role of serotonergic transmission in learning and memory has improved in recent years. A large body of evidence indicates the interplay between serotonergic transmission and other neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, in the neurobiological control of learning and memory. In addition, there has been an alteration in the density of serotonergic receptors in aging and Alzheimer's disease, and serotonin modulators are found to alter the process of amyloidogenesis and exert cognitive-enhancing properties. Here, we discuss the serotonin-induced modulation of various systems involved in mnesic function including cholinergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic transmissions as well as amyloidogenesis and intracellular pathways.
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30
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Spilman P, Descamps O, Gorostiza O, Peters-Libeu C, Poksay KS, Matalis A, Campagna J, Patent A, Rao R, John V, Bredesen DE. The multi-functional drug tropisetron binds APP and normalizes cognition in a murine Alzheimer's model. Brain Res 2013; 1551:25-44. [PMID: 24389031 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tropisetron was identified in a screen for candidates that increase the ratio of the trophic, neurite-extending peptide sAPPα to the anti-trophic, neurite-retractive peptide Aβ, thus reversing this imbalance in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We describe here a hierarchical screening approach to identify such drug candidates, moving from cell lines to primary mouse hippocampal neuronal cultures to in vivo studies. By screening a clinical compound library in the primary assay using CHO-7W cells stably transfected with human APPwt, we identified tropisetron as a candidate that consistently increased sAPPα. Secondary assay testing in neuronal cultures from J20 (PDAPP, huAPP(Swe/Ind)) mice showed that tropisetron consistently increased the sAPPα/Aβ 1-42 ratio. In in vivo studies in J20 mice, tropisetron improved the sAPPα/Aβ ratio along with spatial and working memory in mice, and was effective both during the symptomatic, pre-plaque phase (5-6 months) and in the late plaque phase (14 months). This ameliorative effect occurred at a dose of 0.5mg/kg/d (mkd), translating to a human-equivalent dose of 5mg/day, the current dose for treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Although tropisetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and an α7nAChR partial agonist, we found that it also binds to the ectodomain of APP. Direct comparison of tropisetron to the current AD therapeutics memantine (Namenda) and donepezil (Aricept), using similar doses for each, revealed that tropisetron induced greater improvements in memory and the sAPPα/Aβ1-42 ratio. The improvements observed with tropisetron in the J20 AD mouse model, and its known safety profile, suggest that it may be suitable for transition to human trials as a candidate therapeutic for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, and therefore it has been approved for testing in clinical trials beginning in 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Spilman
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Olivier Descamps
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Olivia Gorostiza
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Clare Peters-Libeu
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Karen S Poksay
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Alexander Matalis
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Jesus Campagna
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Alexander Patent
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Rammohan Rao
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Varghese John
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA; Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA 94901, USA
| | - Dale E Bredesen
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Colón-Sáez JO, Yakel JL. A mutation in the extracellular domain of the α7 nAChR reduces calcium permeability. Pflugers Arch 2013; 466:1571-9. [PMID: 24177919 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-013-1385-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) displays the highest calcium permeability among the different subtypes of nAChRs expressed in the mammalian brain and can impact cellular events including neurotransmitter release, second messenger cascades, cell survival, and apoptosis. The selectivity for cations in nAChRs is thought to be achieved in part by anionic residues which are located on either side of the channel mouth and increase relative cationic concentration. Mutagenesis studies have improved our understanding of the role of the second transmembrane domain and the intracellular loop of the channel in ion selectivity. However, little is known about the influence that the extracellular domain (ECD) plays in ion permeation. In the α7 nAChR, it has been found that the ECD contains a ring of ten aspartates (two per subunit) that is believed to face the lumen of the pore and could attract cations for permeation. Using mutagenesis and a combination of electrophysiology and imaging techniques, we tested the possible involvement of these aspartate residues in the calcium permeability of the rat α7 nAChR. We found that one of these residues (the aspartate at position 44) appears to be essential since mutating it to alanine resulted in a decrease in amplitude for both whole cell and single-channel responses and in the complete disappearance of detectable calcium changes in most cells, which indicates that the ECD of the α7 nAChR plays a key role in calcium permeation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José O Colón-Sáez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Environmental Health Science, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
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Abstract
The central nervous system interacts dynamically with the immune system to modulate inflammation through humoral and neural pathways. Recently, in animal models of sepsis, the vagus nerve (VN) has been proposed to play a crucial role in the regulation of the immune response, also referred to as the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. The VN, through release of acetylcholine, dampens immune cell activation by interacting with α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Recent evidence suggests that the vagal innervation of the gastrointestinal tract also plays a major role controlling intestinal immune activation. Indeed, VN electrical stimulation potently reduces intestinal inflammation restoring intestinal homeostasis, whereas vagotomy has the reverse effect. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding concerning the mechanisms and effects involved in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in the gastrointestinal tract. Deeper investigation on this counter-regulatory neuroimmune mechanism will provide new insights in the cross-talk between the nervous and immune system leading to the identification of new therapeutic targets to treat intestinal immune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Matteoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Guy E Boeckxstaens
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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An experimental study on (131)I-CHIBA-1001: a radioligand for α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70188. [PMID: 23936161 PMCID: PMC3728097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a vital role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. However, there is currently no suitable positron emission tomography (PET) or Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) radioligands for imaging α7 nAChRs in brain. Here our aim is to radiosynthesize a novel SPECT radioligand 131I-CHIBA-1001 for whole body biodistribution study and in vivo imaging of α7 nAChRs in brain. Method 131I-CHIBA-1001 was radiosynthesized by chloramine-T method. Different conditions of reaction time and temperature were tested to get a better radiolabeling yield. Radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purities of 131I-CHIBA-1001 were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Whole body biodistribution study was performed at different time points post injection of 131I-CHIBA-1001 in KM mice. Monkey subject was used for in vivo SPECT imaging in brain. Result The radiolabeling yield of 131I-CHIBA-1001 reached 96% within 1.5∼2.0 h at 90∼95°C. The radiochemical purity reached more than 99% after HPLC purification. 131I-CHIBA-1001 was highly stable in saline and fresh human serum in room temperature and 37°C separately. The biodistribution data of brain at 15, 30, and 60 min were 11.05±1.04%ID/g, 8.8±0.04%ID/g and 6.28±1.13%ID/g, respectively. In experimental SPECT imaging, the distribution of radioactivity in the brain regions was paralleled with the distribution of α7 nAChRs in the monkey brain. Moreover, in the blocking SPECT imaging study, the selective α7 nAChR agonist SSR180711 blocked the radioactive uptake in the brain successfully. Conclusion The CHIBA-1001 can be successfully radiolabeled with 131I using the chloramine-T method. 131I-CHIBA-1001 can successfully accumulate in the monkey brain and image the α7 acetylcholine receptors. 131I-CHIBA-1001 can be a candidate for imagingα7 acetylcholine receptors, which will be of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases.
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Boess FG, de Vry J, Erb C, Flessner T, Hendrix M, Luithle J, Methfessel C, Schnizler K, van der Staay FJ, van Kampen M, Wiese WB, König G. Pharmacological and behavioral profile of N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-6-chinolincarboxamide (EVP-5141), a novel α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist/serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 227:1-17. [PMID: 23241647 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Agonists of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of cognitive deficits. This study describes the in vitro pharmacology of the novel α7 nAChR agonist/serotonin 5-HT3 receptor (5-HT3R) antagonist N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-6-chinolincarboxamide (EVP-5141) and its behavioral effects. RESULTS EVP-5141 bound to α7 nAChRs in rat brain membranes (K i = 270 nM) and to recombinant human serotonin 5-HT3Rs (K i = 880 nM) but had low affinity for α4β2 nAChRs (K i > 100 μM). EVP-5141 was a potent agonist at recombinant rat and human α7 nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. EVP-5141 acted as 5-HT3R antagonist but did not block α3β4, α4β2, and muscle nAChRs. Rats trained to discriminate nicotine from vehicle did not generalize to EVP-5141 (0.3-30 mg kg(-1), p.o.), suggesting that the nicotine cue is not mediated by the α7 nAChR and that EVP-5141 may not share the abuse liability of nicotine. EVP-5141 (0.3-3 mg kg(-1)) improved performance in the rat social recognition test. EVP-5141 (0.3 mg kg(-1), p.o.) ameliorated scopolamine-induced retention deficits in the passive avoidance task in rats. EVP-5141 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) improved spatial working memory of aged (26- to 32-month-old) rats in a water maze repeated acquisition task. In addition, EVP-5141 improved both object and social recognition memory in mice (0.3 mg kg(-1), p.o.). CONCLUSIONS EVP-5141 improved performance in several learning and memory tests in both rats and mice, supporting the hypothesis that α7 nAChR agonists may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank G Boess
- Pharma Research CNS, Bayer Healthcare AG, 42096, Wuppertal, Germany.
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Moran VE. Cotinine: Beyond that Expected, More than a Biomarker of Tobacco Consumption. Front Pharmacol 2012; 3:173. [PMID: 23087643 PMCID: PMC3467453 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A greater incidence of tobacco consumption occurs among individuals with psychiatric conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia, compared with the general population. Even when still controversial, it has been postulated that smoking is a form of self-medication that reduces psychiatric symptoms among individuals with these disorders. To better understand the component(s) of tobacco-inducing smoking behavior, greater attention has been directed toward nicotine. However, in recent years, new evidence has shown that cotinine, the main metabolite of nicotine, exhibits beneficial effects over psychiatric symptoms and may therefore promote smoking within this population. Some of the behavioral effects of cotinine compared to nicotine are discussed here. Cotinine, which accumulates in the body as a result of tobacco exposure, crosses the blood-brain barrier and has different pharmacological properties compared with nicotine. Cotinine has a longer plasma half-life than nicotine and showed no addictive or cardiovascular effects in humans. In addition, at the preclinical level, cotinine facilitated the extinction of fear memory and anxiety after fear conditioning, improved working memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in a monkey model of schizophrenia. Altogether, the new evidence suggests that the pharmacological and behavioral effects of cotinine may play a key role in promoting tobacco smoking in individuals that suffer from psychiatric conditions and represents a new potential therapeutic agent against psychiatric conditions such as AD and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Echeverria Moran
- Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Bay Pines, FL, USA ; Tampa VA Healthcare System Tampa, FL, USA ; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida Tampa, FL, USA
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Echeverria V, Zeitlin R. Cotinine: a potential new therapeutic agent against Alzheimer's disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2012; 18:517-23. [PMID: 22530628 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2012.00317.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoking has been correlated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This negative correlation has been attributed to nicotine's properties. However, the undesired side-effects of nicotine and the absence of clear evidence of positive effects of this drug on the cognitive abilities of AD patients have decreased the enthusiasm for its therapeutic use. In this review, we discuss evidence showing that cotinine, the main metabolite of nicotine, has many of the beneficial effects but none of the negative side-effects of its precursor. Cotinine has been shown to be neuroprotective, to improve memory in primates as well as to prevent memory loss, and to lower amyloid-beta (Aβ)) burden in AD mice. In AD, cotinine's positive effect on memory is associated with the inhibition of Aβ aggregation, the stimulation of pro-survival factors such as Akt, and the inhibition of pro-apoptotic factors such as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β). Because stimulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) positively modulates these factors and memory, the involvement of these receptors in cotinine's effects are discussed. Because of its beneficial effects on brain function, good safety profile, and nonaddictive properties, cotinine may represent a new therapeutic agent against AD.
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Abstract
Food intake can influence neuronal functions through different modulators expressed in the brain. The present review is a report through relevant experimental findings on the effects of choline, a nutritional component found in the diet, to identify a safe and effective dietary solution that can offer some protection against neurotoxicity and neurological disorders and that can be implemented in animals and humans in a very short period of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Biasi
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke Univesity Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Ishikawa M, Sakata M, Toyohara J, Oda K, Ishii K, Wu J, Yoshida T, Iyo M, Ishiwata K, Hashimoto K. Occupancy of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Brain by Tropisetron: A Positron Emission Tomography Study Using [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 in Healthy Human Subjects. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2011; 9:111-6. [PMID: 23430308 PMCID: PMC3569118 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2011.9.3.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Agonists of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been developed as potential therapeutic drugs for neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a noninvasive brain imaging technique to measure receptor occupancy in the living human brain. Although much effort has been expended to create specific PET radioligands for α7-nAChRs in the brain, only 4-[(11)C]methylphenyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2.]nonane-4-carboxylate ([(11)C]CHIBA-1001) is currently available for clinical studies. In contrast, two 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT(3)) receptor antagonists, tropisetron and ondansetron, have been used to treat patients with chemotherapy-induced or postoperative nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, tropisetron, but not ondansetron, possesses high affinity for α7-nAChRs. In the present study, we evaluated the receptor occupancy in the human brain after a single oral administration of tropisetron and ondansetron using [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 and PET. METHODS Two serial dynamic PET scans using [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 in healthy non-smoking male subjects were performed before and after receiving an oral administration of these medications. RESULTS A single oral administration of tropisetron, but not ondansetron, decreased the total distribution volume of [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 in the human brain. CONCLUSION This study shows that tropisetron, but not ondansetron, could bind to α7-nAChRs in the human brain after a single oral administration. Therefore, [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 may be a useful PET radioligand to measure the occupancy of α7-nAChRs in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatomo Ishikawa
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
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Krafft PR, Altay O, Rolland WB, Duris K, Lekic T, Tang J, Zhang JH. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonism confers neuroprotection through GSK-3β inhibition in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke 2011; 43:844-50. [PMID: 22207510 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.111.639989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Perihematomal edema formation and consequent cell death contribute to the delayed brain injury evoked by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to evaluate the effect of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) stimulation on behavior, brain edema, and neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, we aimed to determine the role of the proapoptotic glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) after experimental ICH. METHODS Male CD-1 mice (n=109) were subjected to intracerebral infusion of autologous blood (n=88) or sham surgery (n=21). ICH animals received vehicle administration, 4 or 12 mg/kg of α7nAChR agonist PHA-543613, 12 mg/kg of α7nAChR agonist PNU-282987, 6 mg/kg of α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA), 15 μg/kg of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin, or PHA-543613 combined with MLA or wortmannin. Behavioral deficits and brain water content were evaluated at 24 and 72 hours after surgery. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used for the quantification and localization of activated Akt (p-Akt), GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β), and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3). Neuronal cell death was quantified through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS α7nAChR stimulation improved neurological outcome and reduced brain edema at 24 and 72 hours after surgery (P<0.05 compared with vehicle). Furthermore, PHA-543613 treatment increased p-Akt and decreased p-GSK-3β and CC3 expressions in the ipsilateral hemisphere (P<0.05, respectively), which was reversed by MLA and wortmannin. P-Akt, p-GSK-3β, and CC3 were generally localized in neurons. PHA-543613 reduced neuronal cell death in the perihematomal area (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS α7nAChR stimulation improved functional and morphological outcomes after experimental ICH in mice. PHA-543613 reduced the expression of proapoptotic GSK-3β through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Krafft
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
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Abstract
This review focuses on recent developments in the use of natural products as therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. The compounds span a diverse array of structural classes and are organized according to their mechanism of action, with the focus primarily on the major hypotheses. Overall, the review discusses more than 180 compounds and summarizes 400 references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
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Wu J, Ishikawa M, Zhang J, Hashimoto K. Brain imaging of nicotinic receptors in Alzheimer's disease. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2010; 2010:548913. [PMID: 21253523 PMCID: PMC3022172 DOI: 10.4061/2010/548913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a family of ligand-gated ion channels which are widely distributed in the human brain. Several lines of evidence suggest that two major subtypes (α4β2 and α7) of nAChRs play an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Postmortem studies demonstrated alterations in the density of these subtypes of nAChRs in the brain of patients with AD. Currently, nAChRs are one of the most attractive therapeutic targets for AD. Therefore, several researchers have made an effort to develop novel radioligands that can be used to study quantitatively the distribution of these two subtypes in the human brain with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In this paper, we discuss the current topics on in vivo imaging of two subtypes of nAChRs in the brain of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wu
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Shiina A, Shirayama Y, Niitsu T, Hashimoto T, Yoshida T, Hasegawa T, Haraguchi T, Kanahara N, Shiraishi T, Fujisaki M, Fukami G, Nakazato M, Iyo M, Hashimoto K. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tropisetron in patients with schizophrenia. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2010; 9:27. [PMID: 20573264 PMCID: PMC2901366 DOI: 10.1186/1744-859x-9-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are associated with psychosocial deficits that are primarily responsible for the poor long-term outcome of this disease. Auditory sensory gating P50 deficits are correlated with neuropsychological deficits in attention, one of the principal cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia. Our studies suggest that the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7 nAChR) agonist tropisetron might be a potential therapeutic drug for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Therefore, it is of particular interest to investigate the effects of tropisetron on the cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of tropisetron in patients with schizophrenia was performed. A total of 40 patients with chronic schizophrenia who had taken risperidone (2 to 6 mg/day) were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to a fixed titration of tropisetron (n = 20, 10 mg/day) or placebo (n = 20) in an 8-week double-blind trial. Auditory sensory gating P50 deficits and Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores were measured. RESULTS In all, 33 patients completed the trial. Tropisetron was well tolerated. Administration of tropisetron, but not placebo, significantly improved auditory sensory gating P50 deficits in non-smoking patients with schizophrenia. The score on the rapid visual information processing (sustained visual attention) task of CANTAB was significantly improved by tropisetron treatment. Total and subscale scores of PANSS were not changed by this trial. QLS scores in the all patients, but not non-smoking patients, were significantly improved by tropisetron trial. CONCLUSIONS This first randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial supports the safety and efficacy of adjunctive tropisetron for treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Shiina
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Shirayama
- Department of Mental Health, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomihisa Niitsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tasuku Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taisuke Yoshida
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tadashi Hasegawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tadashi Haraguchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Kanahara
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Shiraishi
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mihisa Fujisaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Goro Fukami
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Michiko Nakazato
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaomi Iyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
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In vivo evaluation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists [11C]A-582941 and [11C]A-844606 in mice and conscious monkeys. PLoS One 2010; 5:e8961. [PMID: 20126539 PMCID: PMC2813863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate the two carbon-11-labeled alpha7 nAChR agonists [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 for their potential as novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The two tracers were synthesized by methylation of the corresponding desmethyl precursors using [(11)C]methyl triflate. Effects of receptor blockade in mice were determined by coinjection of either tracer along with a carrier or an excess amount of a selective alpha7 nAChR agonist (SSR180711). Metabolic stability was investigated using radio-HPLC. Dynamic PET scans were performed in conscious monkeys with/without SSR180711-treatment. [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 showed high uptake in the mouse brain. Most radioactive compounds in the brain were detected as an unchanged form. However, regional selectivity and selective receptor blockade were not clearly observed for either compound in the mouse brain. On the other hand, the total distribution volume of [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 was high in the hippocampus and thalamus but low in the cerebellum in the conscious monkey brain, and reduced by pretreatment with SSR180711. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE A nonhuman primate study suggests that [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 would be potential PET ligands for imaging alpha7 nAChRs in the human brain.
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