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Li J, Wang Y, Wu Z, Zhong M, Feng G, Liu Z, Zeng Y, Wei Z, Mueller S, He S, Ouyang G, Yuan G. Identification of diagnostic markers and molecular clusters of cuproptosis-related genes in alcohol-related liver disease based on machine learning and experimental validation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37612. [PMID: 39315155 PMCID: PMC11417179 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37612] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is a worldwide burden. Cuproptosis has been shown to play a key role in the development of several diseases. However, the role and mechanisms of cuproptosis in ALD remain unclear. Methods The RNA-sequencing data of ALD liver samples were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Bioinformatical analyses were performed using the R data package. We then identified key genes through multiple machine learning methods. Immunoinfiltration analyses were used to identify different immune cells in ALD patients and controls. The expression levels of key genes were further verified. Results We identified three key cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) (DPYD, SLC31A1, and DBT) through an in-depth analysis of two GEO datasets, including 28 ALD samples and eight control samples. The area under the curve (AUC) value of these three genes combined in determining ALD was 1.0. In the external datasets, the three key genes had AUC values as high as 1.0 and 0.917, respectively. Nomogram, decision curve, and calibration curve analyses also confirmed these genes' ability to predict the diagnosis. These three key genes were found to be involved in multiple pathways associated with ALD progression. We confirmed the mRNA expression of these three key genes in mouse ALD liver samples. Regarding immune cell infiltration, the numbers of B cells, CD8 (+) T cells, NK cells, T-helper cells, and Th1 cells were significantly lower in ALD patient samples than in control liver samples. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was then used to estimate the immune microenvironment of different CRG clusters and CRG-related gene clusters. In addition, we calculated CRG scores through principal component analysis (PCA) and selected Sankey plots to represent the correlation between CRG clusters, gene clusters, and CRG scores. Finally, the three key genes were confirmed in mouse ALD liver samples and liver cells treated with ethanol. Conclusions We first established a prognostic model for ALD based on 3 CRGs and robust prediction efficacy was confirmed. Our investigation contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the role of cuproptosis in ALD, presenting promising avenues for the exploration of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangfa Li
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Zhan Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Mingbei Zhong
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Gangping Feng
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yonglian Zeng
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Zaiwa Wei
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Sebastian Mueller
- Center for Alcohol Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Songqing He
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Guoqing Ouyang
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Guandou Yuan
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Immunology and Metabolism for Liver Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
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Kirss S, Reinapu A, Kabin E, Smirnova J, Tõugu V, Palumaa P. α-Lipoic acid: a potential regulator of copper metabolism in Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1451536. [PMID: 39290994 PMCID: PMC11405343 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1451536] [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: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by classic hallmarks such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, however, intensive research has broadened its scope to explore additional underlying mechanisms. Notably, disruptions in metal homeostasis, particularly involving copper, have gained significant attention. In AD pathology, an imbalance is evident: there is an excess of extracellular copper alongside a deficiency in intracellular copper in brain tissue. Our previous work demonstrated that α-lipoic acid (LA) can effectively shift copper from the extracellular space to the intracellular environment in a neuronal cell model. However, the precise mechanism of action and role of LA in copper metabolism remained elusive. In this study, we compared the cellular effects of LA with those of different synthetic copper-binding ligands: diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC), clioquinol (CQ), D-penicillamine (D-PA) and elesclomol (ES). Using differentiated SH-SY5Y cell culture as a neuronal model, we found that, unlike other synthetic compounds, natural ligand LA is not toxic in the presence of extracellular copper, even at high doses. LA gradually increased intracellular copper levels over 24 h. In contrast, DETC, CQ, and ES acted as fast copper ionophores, potentially explaining their higher toxicity compared to LA. D-PA did not facilitate copper uptake into cells. We demonstrated that a slow increase of LA inside the cells is enhanced in the presence of copper. Furthermore, the ability of LA to modulate the equilibrium of extra- and intracellular copper was evident when we added copper isotope 65Cu. The ratio of copper isotopes changed rapidly, reflecting the impact of LA on the equilibrium of copper distribution without affecting the copper transport network. Our results provide compelling evidence that α-lipoic acid holds promise as a non-toxic agent capable of normalizing copper metabolism in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Kirss
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anette Reinapu
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Ekaterina Kabin
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Julia Smirnova
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Vello Tõugu
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
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3
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Mandal S, Suseela YV, Samanta S, Vileno B, Faller P, Govindaraju T. Fluorescent Peptides Sequester Redox Copper to Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Amyloid Toxicity, and Neuroinflammation. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:1376-1385. [PMID: 39140073 PMCID: PMC11318102 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that significantly contributes to dementia. The lack of effective therapeutic interventions presents a significant challenge to global health. We have developed a set of short peptides (PNGln) conjugated with a dual-functional fluorophoric amino acid (NGln). The lead peptide, P2NGln, displays a high affinity for Cu2+, maintaining the metal ion in a redox-inactive state. This mitigates the cytotoxicity generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced by Cu2+ under the reductive conditions of Asc and Aβ16 or Aβ42. Furthermore, P2NGln inhibits both Cu-dependent and -independent fibrillation of Aβ42, along with the subsequent toxicity induced by Aβ42. In addition, P2NGln exhibits inhibitory effects on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in microglial cells. In vitro and cellular studies indicate that P2NGln could significantly reduce Aβ-Cu2+-induced ROS production, amyloid toxicity, and neuroinflammation, offering an innovative strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabyasachi Mandal
- Bioorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064, India
| | - Yelisetty Venkata Suseela
- Institut
de Chimie (UMR 7177), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sourav Samanta
- Bioorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064, India
| | - Bertrand Vileno
- Institut
de Chimie (UMR 7177), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Peter Faller
- Institut
de Chimie (UMR 7177), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thimmaiah Govindaraju
- Bioorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064, India
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4
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Moos WH, Faller DV, Glavas IP, Kanara I, Kodukula K, Pernokas J, Pernokas M, Pinkert CA, Powers WR, Sampani K, Steliou K, Vavvas DG. Epilepsy: Mitochondrial connections to the 'Sacred' disease. Mitochondrion 2023; 72:84-101. [PMID: 37582467 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Over 65 million people suffer from recurrent, unprovoked seizures. The lack of validated biomarkers specific for myriad forms of epilepsy makes diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis and monitoring of childhood epilepsy add to the need for non-invasive biomarkers, especially when evaluating antiseizure medications. Although underlying mechanisms of epileptogenesis are not fully understood, evidence for mitochondrial involvement is substantial. Seizures affect 35%-60% of patients diagnosed with mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction is pathophysiological in various epilepsies, including those of non-mitochondrial origin. Decreased ATP production caused by malfunctioning brain cell mitochondria leads to altered neuronal bioenergetics, metabolism and neurological complications, including seizures. Iron-dependent lipid peroxidation initiates ferroptosis, a cell death pathway that aligns with altered mitochondrial bioenergetics, metabolism and morphology found in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Studies in mouse genetic models with seizure phenotypes where the function of an essential selenoprotein (GPX4) is targeted suggest roles for ferroptosis in epilepsy. GPX4 is pivotal in NDDs, where selenium protects interneurons from ferroptosis. Selenium is an essential central nervous system micronutrient and trace element. Low serum concentrations of selenium and other trace elements and minerals, including iron, are noted in diagnosing childhood epilepsy. Selenium supplements alleviate intractable seizures in children with reduced GPX activity. Copper and cuproptosis, like iron and ferroptosis, link to mitochondria and NDDs. Connecting these mechanistic pathways to selenoproteins provides new insights into treating seizures, pointing to using medicines including prodrugs of lipoic acid to treat epilepsy and to potential alternative therapeutic approaches including transcranial magnetic stimulation (transcranial), photobiomodulation and vagus nerve stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter H Moos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Douglas V Faller
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ioannis P Glavas
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Julie Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, MA, USA
| | - Mark Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, MA, USA
| | - Carl A Pinkert
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Whitney R Powers
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Konstantina Sampani
- Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kosta Steliou
- Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; PhenoMatriX, Inc., Natick, MA, USA
| | - Demetrios G Vavvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Chen LL, Fan YG, Zhao LX, Zhang Q, Wang ZY. The metal ion hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease and the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of metal chelators. Bioorg Chem 2023; 131:106301. [PMID: 36455485 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by the β-amyloid protein (Aβ) deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation, is the most common dementia with uncertain etiology. The clinical trials of Aβ monoclonal antibody drugs have almost failed, giving rise to great attention on the other etiologic hypothesis regarding AD such as metal ions dysmetabolism and chronic neuroinflammation. Mounting evidence revealed that the metal ions (iron, copper, and zinc) were dysregulated in the susceptible brain regions of AD patients, which was highly associated with Aβ deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuronal loss, as well as neuroinflammation. Further studies uncovered that iron, copper and zinc could not only enhance the production of Aβ but also directly bind to Aβ and tau to promote their aggregations. In addition, the accumulation of iron and copper could respectively promote ferroptosis and cuproptosis. Therefore, the metal ion chelators were recognized as promising agents for treating AD. This review comprehensively summarized the effects of metal ions on the Aβ dynamics and tau phosphorylation in the progression of AD. Furthermore, taking chronic neuroinflammation contributes to the progression of AD, we also provided a summary of the mechanisms concerning metal ions on neuroinflammation and highlighted the metal ion chelators may be potential agents to alleviate neuroinflammation under the condition of AD. Nevertheless, more investigations regarding metal ions on neuroinflammation should be taken into practice, and the effects of metal ion chelators on neuroinflammation should gain more attention. Running title: Metal chelators against neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Major Chronic Diseases of Nervous System of Liaoning Province, Health Sciences Institute of China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yong-Gang Fan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Major Chronic Diseases of Nervous System of Liaoning Province, Health Sciences Institute of China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ling-Xiao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Major Chronic Diseases of Nervous System of Liaoning Province, Health Sciences Institute of China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Major Chronic Diseases of Nervous System of Liaoning Province, Health Sciences Institute of China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Zhan-You Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Major Chronic Diseases of Nervous System of Liaoning Province, Health Sciences Institute of China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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6
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Collins AE, Saleh TM, Kalisch BE. VANL-100 Attenuates Beta-Amyloid-Induced Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010442. [PMID: 36613883 PMCID: PMC9820495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antioxidants are being explored as novel therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) through strategies such as chemically linking antioxidants to synthesize novel co-drugs. The main objective of this study was to assess the cytoprotective effects of the novel antioxidant compound VANL-100 in a cellular model of beta-amyloid (Aβ)-induced toxicity. The cytotoxic effects of Aβ in the presence and absence of all antioxidant compounds were measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2-5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in SH-SY5Y cells in both pre-treatment and co-treatment experiments. In pre-treatment experiments, VANL-100, or one of its parent compounds, naringenin (NAR), alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), or naringenin + alpha-lipoic acid (NAR + ALA), was administrated 24 h prior to an additional 24-h incubation with 20 μM non-fibril or fibril Aβ25-35. Co-treatment experiments consisted of simultaneous treatment with Aβ and antioxidants. Pre-treatment and co-treatment with VANL-100 significantly attenuated Aβ-induced cell death. There were no significant differences between the protective effects of VANL-100, NAR, ALA, and NAR + ALA with either form of Aβ, or in the effect of VANL-100 between 24-h pre-treatment and co-treatment. These results demonstrate that the novel co-drug VANL-100 is capable of eliciting cytoprotective effects against Aβ-induced toxicity.
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7
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Moos WH, Faller DV, Glavas IP, Harpp DN, Kamperi N, Kanara I, Kodukula K, Mavrakis AN, Pernokas J, Pernokas M, Pinkert CA, Powers WR, Sampani K, Steliou K, Tamvakopoulos C, Vavvas DG, Zamboni RJ, Chen X. Treatment and prevention of pathological mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal degeneration and in photoreceptor injury. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 203:115168. [PMID: 35835206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pathological deterioration of mitochondrial function is increasingly linked with multiple degenerative illnesses as a mediator of a wide range of neurologic and age-related chronic diseases, including those of genetic origin. Several of these diseases are rare, typically defined in the United States as an illness affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. population, or about one in 1600 individuals. Vision impairment due to mitochondrial dysfunction in the eye is a prominent feature evident in numerous primary mitochondrial diseases and is common to the pathophysiology of many of the familiar ophthalmic disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity - a collection of syndromes, diseases and disorders with significant unmet medical needs. Focusing on metabolic mitochondrial pathway mechanisms, including the possible roles of cuproptosis and ferroptosis in retinal mitochondrial dysfunction, we shed light on the potential of α-lipoyl-L-carnitine in treating eye diseases. α-Lipoyl-L-carnitine is a bioavailable mitochondria-targeting lipoic acid prodrug that has shown potential in protecting against retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell loss in ophthalmic indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter H Moos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Douglas V Faller
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ioannis P Glavas
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David N Harpp
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalia Kamperi
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Pharmacology-Pharmacotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Anastasios N Mavrakis
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, MA, USA
| | - Mark Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, MA, USA
| | - Carl A Pinkert
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Whitney R Powers
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Konstantina Sampani
- Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kosta Steliou
- Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; PhenoMatriX, Inc., Natick, MA, USA
| | - Constantin Tamvakopoulos
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Pharmacology-Pharmacotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios G Vavvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Zamboni
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiaohong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China.
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8
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Burke R. Molecular physiology of copper in Drosophila melanogaster. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 51:100892. [PMID: 35247643 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this review, I look at advances made in our understanding of the molecular physiology of copper homeostasis in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster over the past five years, focussing in particular on the most recent 24 months. Firstly, I review publications investigating the physiological and genetic basis of dietary copper toxicity and tolerance, with particular attention paid to the identification of novel transcriptional and post translational regulators of copper homeostasis. Then I hone in on the growing body of evidence linking copper dysregulation with aberrant neuronal development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Burke
- Monash University, School of Biological Sciences, Australia.
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9
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The Use of Bioactive Compounds in Hyperglycemia- and Amyloid Fibrils-Induced Toxicity in Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020235. [PMID: 35213966 PMCID: PMC8879577 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It has become increasingly apparent that defective insulin signaling may increase the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), influence neurodegeneration through promotion of amyloid formation or by increasing inflammatory responses to intraneuronal β-amyloid. Recent work has demonstrated that hyperglycemia is linked to cognitive decline, with elevated levels of glucose causing oxidative stress in vulnerable tissues such as the brain. The ability of β-amyloid peptide to form β-sheet-rich aggregates and induce apoptosis has made amyloid fibrils a leading target for the development of novel pharmacotherapies used in managing and treatment of neuropathological conditions such as AD-related cognitive decline. Additionally, deposits of β-sheets folded amylin, a glucose homeostasis regulator, are also present in diabetic patients. Thus, therapeutic compounds capable of reducing intracellular protein aggregation in models of neurodegenerative disorders may prove useful in ameliorating type 2 diabetes mellitus symptoms. Furthermore, both diabetes and neurodegenerative conditions, such as AD, are characterized by chronic inflammatory responses accompanied by the presence of dysregulated inflammatory biomarkers. This review presents current evidence describing the role of various small bioactive molecules known to ameliorate amyloidosis and subsequent effects in prevention and development of diabetes and AD. It also highlights the potential efficacy of peptide–drug conjugates capable of targeting intracellular targets.
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