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Song Z, He J, Yu W, He C, Yang M, Li P, Li Z, Jian G, Cheng S. Exploring the multifaceted therapeutic mechanism of Schisanlactone E (XTS) in APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease through multi-omics analysis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1440564. [PMID: 39044957 PMCID: PMC11263214 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1440564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Schisanlactone E, also known as XueTongSu (XTS), is an active compound extracted from the traditional Tujia medicine Kadsura heteroclita ("XueTong"). Recent studies highlight its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, yet the mechanisms of XTS's therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) are unclear. This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of XTS in AD. Methods Ten C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the control group (NC), and twenty APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divided into the model group (M) (10 mice) and the XTS treatment group (Tre) (10 mice). After an acclimatization period of 7 days, intraperitoneal injections were administered over a 60-day treatment period. The NC and M groups received saline, while the Tre group received XTS at 2 mg/kg. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. Histopathological changes were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence was used to assess pathological products and glial cell activation. Cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the hippocampus were quantified by qPCR. 16S rDNA sequencing analyzed gut microbiota metabolic alterations, and metabolomic analysis was performed on cortical samples. The KEGG database was used to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of XTS in AD treatment. Results XTS significantly improved learning and spatial memory in APP/PS1 mice and ameliorated histopathological changes, reducing Aβ plaque aggregation and glial cell activation. XTS decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. It also enhanced gut microbiota diversity, notably increasing Akkermansia species, and modulated levels of metabolites such as isosakuranetin, 5-KETE, 4-methylcatechol, and sphinganine. Pathway analysis indicated that XTS regulated carbohydrate metabolism, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, mitigating gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disturbances. Conclusion XTS ameliorates cognitive deficits, pathological changes, and inflammatory responses in APP/PS1 mice. It significantly modulates the gut microbiota, particularly increasing Akkermansia abundance, and influences levels of key metabolites in both the gut and brain. These findings suggest that XTS exerts anti-AD effects through the microbial-gut-brain axis (MGBA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyan Song
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiawei He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjing Yu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunxiang He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Yang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ze Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Gonghui Jian
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shaowu Cheng
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Bathla S, Datta D, Liang F, Barthelemy N, Wiseman R, Slusher BS, Asher J, Zeiss C, Ekanayake‐Alper D, Holden D, Terwilliger G, Duque A, Arellano J, van Dyck C, Bateman RJ, Xie Z, Nairn AC, Arnsten AFT. Chronic GCPII (glutamate-carboxypeptidase-II) inhibition reduces pT217Tau levels in the entorhinal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of aged macaques. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2023; 9:e12431. [PMID: 37915375 PMCID: PMC10617575 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Current approaches for treating sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) focus on removal of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) or phosphorylated tau, but additional strategies are needed to reduce neuropathology at earlier stages prior to neuronal damage. Longstanding data show that calcium dysregulation is a key etiological factor in sAD, and the cortical neurons most vulnerable to tau pathology show magnified calcium signaling, for example in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and entorhinal cortex (ERC). In primate dlPFC and ERC, type 3 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR3s) are predominately post-synaptic, on spines, where they regulate cAMP-calcium signaling, a process eroded by inflammatory glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) actions. The current study tested whether enhancing mGluR3 regulation of calcium via chronic inhibition of GCPII would reduce tau hyperphosphorylation in aged macaques with naturally-occurring tau pathology. Methods Aged rhesus macaques were treated daily with the GCPII inhibitor, 2-MPPA (2-3-mercaptopropyl-penanedioic acid (2-MPPA)),Aged rhesus macaques were treated daily with the GCPII inhibitor, 2-MPPA (2-3-mercaptopropyl-penanedioic acid (2-MPPA)). Results Aged macaques that received 2-MPPA had significantly lower pT217Tau levels in dlPFC and ERC, and had lowered plasma pT217Tau levels from baseline. pT217Tau levels correlated significantly with GCPII activity in dlPFC. Both 2-MPPA- and vehicle-treated monkeys showed cognitive improvement; 2-MPPA had no apparent side effects. Exploratory CSF analyses indicated reduced pS202Tau with 2-MPPA administration, confirmed in dlPFC samples. Discussion These data provide proof-of-concept support that GCPII inhibition can reduce tau hyperphosphorylation in the primate cortices most vulnerable in sAD. GCPII inhibition may be particularly helpful in reducing the risk of sAD caused by inflammation. These data in nonhuman primates should encourage future research on this promising mechanism. Highlights Inflammation is a key driver of sporadic Alzheimer's disease.GCPII inflammatory signaling in brain decreases mGluR3 regulation of calcium.Chronic inhibition of GCPII inflammatory signaling reduced pT217Tau in aged monkeys.GCPII inhibition is a novel strategy to help prevent tau pathology at early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shveta Bathla
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Dibyadeep Datta
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Feng Liang
- Department of AnesthesiologyHarvard University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nicolas Barthelemy
- Department of NeurologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Robyn Wiseman
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Drug DiscoveryJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Drug DiscoveryJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Jennifer Asher
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Caroline Zeiss
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Dil Ekanayake‐Alper
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Daniel Holden
- Departments of RadiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Gordon Terwilliger
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Alvaro Duque
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Jon Arellano
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Christopher van Dyck
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Randall J. Bateman
- Departments of RadiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Zhongcong Xie
- Departments of Comparative MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Angus C. Nairn
- Departments of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Amy F. T. Arnsten
- Departments of NeuroscienceYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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Strefeler A, Jan M, Quadroni M, Teav T, Rosenberg N, Chatton JY, Guex N, Gallart-Ayala H, Ivanisevic J. Molecular insights into sex-specific metabolic alterations in Alzheimer's mouse brain using multi-omics approach. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:8. [PMID: 36624525 PMCID: PMC9827669 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01162-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by altered cellular metabolism in the brain. Several of these alterations have been found to be exacerbated in females, known to be disproportionately affected by AD. We aimed to unravel metabolic alterations in AD at the metabolic pathway level and evaluate whether they are sex-specific through integrative metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic analysis of mouse brain tissue. METHODS We analyzed male and female triple-transgenic mouse whole brain tissue by untargeted mass spectrometry-based methods to obtain a molecular signature consisting of polar metabolite, complex lipid, and protein data. These data were analyzed using multi-omics factor analysis. Pathway-level alterations were identified through joint pathway enrichment analysis or by separately evaluating lipid ontology and known proteins related to lipid metabolism. RESULTS Our analysis revealed significant AD-associated and in part sex-specific alterations across the molecular signature. Sex-dependent alterations were identified in GABA synthesis, arginine biosynthesis, and in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. AD-associated alterations involving lipids were also found in the fatty acid elongation pathway and lysophospholipid metabolism, with a significant sex-specific effect for the latter. CONCLUSIONS Through multi-omics analysis, we report AD-associated and sex-specific metabolic alterations in the AD brain involving lysophospholipid and amino acid metabolism. These findings contribute to the characterization of the AD phenotype at the molecular level while considering the effect of sex, an overlooked yet determinant metabolic variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Strefeler
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maxime Jan
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Bioinformatics Competence Center, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manfredo Quadroni
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Protein Analysis Facility, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tony Teav
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Rosenberg
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Chatton
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Guex
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Bioinformatics Competence Center, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hector Gallart-Ayala
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julijana Ivanisevic
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Yang S, Datta D, Elizabeth Woo, Duque A, Morozov YM, Arellano J, Slusher BS, Wang M, Arnsten AFT. Inhibition of glutamate-carboxypeptidase-II in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: potential therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory cognitive disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4252-4263. [PMID: 35732693 PMCID: PMC9718677 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01656-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase-II (GCPII) expression in brain is increased by inflammation, e.g. by COVID19 infection, where it reduces NAAG stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 3 (mGluR3). GCPII-mGluR3 signaling is increasingly linked to higher cognition, as genetic alterations that weaken mGluR3 or increase GCPII signaling are associated with impaired cognition in humans. Recent evidence from macaque dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) shows that mGluR3 are expressed on dendritic spines, where they regulate cAMP-PKA opening of potassium (K+) channels to enhance neuronal firing during working memory. However, little is known about GCPII expression and function in the primate dlPFC, despite its relevance to inflammatory disorders. The present study used multiple label immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy to localize GCPII in aging macaque dlPFC, and examined the effects of GCPII inhibition on dlPFC neuronal physiology and working memory function. GCPII was observed in astrocytes as expected, but also on neurons, including extensive expression in dendritic spines. Recordings in dlPFC from aged monkeys performing a working memory task found that iontophoresis of the GCPII inhibitors 2-MPPA or 2-PMPA markedly increased working memory-related neuronal firing and spatial tuning, enhancing neural representations. These beneficial effects were reversed by an mGluR2/3 antagonist, or by a cAMP-PKA activator, consistent with mGluR3 inhibition of cAMP-PKA-K+ channel signaling. Systemic administration of the brain penetrant inhibitor, 2-MPPA, significantly improved working memory performance without apparent side effects, with largest effects in the oldest monkeys. Taken together, these data endorse GCPII inhibition as a potential strategy for treating cognitive disorders associated with aging and/or neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengtao Yang
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Dibyadeep Datta
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA ,grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Elizabeth Woo
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Alvaro Duque
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Yury M. Morozov
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Jon Arellano
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department Neurology and Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Min Wang
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Amy F. T. Arnsten
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
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Ding L, Xu X, Li C, Wang Y, Xia X, Zheng JC. Glutaminase in microglia: A novel regulator of neuroinflammation. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 92:139-156. [PMID: 33278560 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is the inflammatory responses that are involved in the pathogenesis of most neurological disorders. Glutaminase (GLS) is the enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glutamine to produce glutamate. Besides its well-known role in cellular metabolism and excitatory neurotransmission, GLS has recently been increasingly noticed to be up-regulated in activated microglia under pathological conditions. Furthermore, GLS overexpression induces microglial activation, extracellular vesicle secretion, and neuroinflammatory microenvironment formation, which, are compromised by GLS inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that GLS has more complicated implications in brain disease etiology than what are previously known. In this review, we introduce GLS isoforms, expression patterns in the body and the brain, and expression/activities regulation. Next, we discuss the metabolic and neurotransmission functions of GLS. Afterwards, we summarize recent findings of GLS-mediated microglial activation and pro-inflammatory extracellular vesicle secretion, which, in turns, induces neuroinflammation. Lastly, we provide a comprehensive discussion for the involvement of microglial GLS in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, indicating microglial GLS as a promising target to treat these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ding
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xiaonan Xu
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Congcong Li
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200434, China.
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200434, China.
| | - Jialin C Zheng
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200434, China; Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5930, USA.
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Neale JH, Yamamoto T. N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) and glutamate carboxypeptidase II: An abundant peptide neurotransmitter-enzyme system with multiple clinical applications. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 184:101722. [PMID: 31730793 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is the third most prevalent neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system, yet its therapeutic potential is only now being fully recognized. Drugs that inhibit the inactivation of NAAG by glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) increase its extracellular concentration and its activation of its receptor, mGluR3. These drugs warrant attention, as they are effective in animal models of several clinical disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia. In inflammatory and neuropathic pain studies, GCPII inhibitors moderated both the primary and secondary pain responses when given systemically, locally or in brain regions associated with the pain perception pathway. The finding that GCPII inhibition also moderated the motor and cognitive effects of ethanol intoxication led to the discovery of their procognitive efficacy in long-term memory tests in control mice and in short-term memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. NAAG and GCPII inhibitors respectively reduce cocaine self-administration and the rewarding effects of a synthetic stimulant. Most recently, GCPII inhibition also has been reported to be efficacious in a model of inflammatory bowel disease. GCPII was first discovered as a protein expressed by and released from metastatic prostate cells where it is known as prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). GCPII inhibitors with high affinity for this protein have been developed as prostate imaging and radiochemical therapies for prostate cancer. Taken together, these data militate in favor of the development and application of GCPII inhibitors in more advanced preclinical research as a prelude to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H Neale
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37(th) and O Sts., NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
| | - Tatsuo Yamamoto
- Dept. of Anesthesiology, Kumamoto University., Kumamoto, Japan
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