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Kangussu LM, Rocha NP, Valadão PAC, Machado TCG, Soares KB, Joviano-Santos JV, Latham LB, Colpo GD, Almeida-Santos AF, Furr Stimming E, Simões e Silva AC, Teixeira AL, Miranda AS, Guatimosim C. Renin-Angiotensin System in Huntington′s Disease: Evidence from Animal Models and Human Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147686. [PMID: 35887034 PMCID: PMC9316902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is expressed in the central nervous system and has important functions that go beyond blood pressure regulation. Clinical and experimental studies have suggested that alterations in the brain RAS contribute to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. However, there is limited information regarding the involvement of RAS components in Huntington’s disease (HD). Herein, we used the HD murine model, (BACHD), as well as samples from patients with HD to investigate the role of both the classical and alternative axes of RAS in HD pathophysiology. BACHD mice displayed worse motor performance in different behavioral tests alongside a decrease in the levels and activity of the components of the RAS alternative axis ACE2, Ang-(1-7), and Mas receptors in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. BACHD mice also displayed a significant increase in mRNA expression of the AT1 receptor, a component of the RAS classical arm, in these key brain regions. Moreover, patients with manifest HD presented higher plasma levels of Ang-(1-7). No significant changes were found in the levels of ACE, ACE2, and Ang II. Our findings provided the first evidence that an imbalance in the RAS classical and counter-regulatory arms may play a role in HD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M. Kangussu
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Natalia P. Rocha
- Department of Neurology, The Mitchell Center for Alzheimer′s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- McGovern Medical School, HDSA Center of Excellence at The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.B.L.); (E.F.S.)
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77054, USA;
| | - Priscila A. C. Valadão
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Thatiane C. G. Machado
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Kívia B. Soares
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Julliane V. Joviano-Santos
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
- Center for Mathematics, Computing, and Cognition (CMCC), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo 09612-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Leigh B. Latham
- McGovern Medical School, HDSA Center of Excellence at The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.B.L.); (E.F.S.)
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gabriela D. Colpo
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77054, USA;
| | - Ana Flávia Almeida-Santos
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Erin Furr Stimming
- McGovern Medical School, HDSA Center of Excellence at The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.B.L.); (E.F.S.)
| | - Ana Cristina Simões e Silva
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil;
| | - Antônio L. Teixeira
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77054, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Aline Silva Miranda
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Department of Morphology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (L.M.K.); (P.A.C.V.); (T.C.G.M.); (K.B.S.); (J.V.J.-S.); (A.F.A.-S.); (A.S.M.); (C.G.)
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Varshney V, Garabadu D. Ang (1-7)/Mas receptor-axis activation promotes amyloid beta-induced altered mitochondrial bioenergetics in discrete brain regions of Alzheimer's disease-like rats. Neuropeptides 2021; 86:102122. [PMID: 33508525 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Renin Angiotensin System plays significant role in the memory acquisition and consolidation apart from its hemodynamic function in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been reported that Ang (1-7) ameliorates the cognitive impairment in experimental animals. However, the effect of Ang (1-7)/Mas receptor signaling is yet to be explored in Aβ42-induced memory impairment. Aβ42 was intracerebroventricularly injected into the male rats on day-1 (D-1) of the experimental schedule of 14 days. All the drugs were administered from D-1 to D-14 in the study design. Aβ42 significantly increased the escape latency during Morris water maze (MWM) test on D-10 to13 in the animals. Further, Aβ42 significantly decreased the time spent and percentage of total distance travelled in the target quadrant of the rats on D-14 in the MWM test. Aβ42 also significantly decreased the spontaneous alteration behavior on D-14 during Y-maze test. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the level of Aβ42, decrease in the cholinergic function (in terms of decreased acetylcholine and activity of cholinesterase, and increased activity of acetylcholinesterase), mitochondrial function, integrity and bioenergetics, and apoptosis in all the rat brain regions. Further, Aβ42 significantly decreased the level of expression of heme oxygenase-1 in all the rat brain regions. Ang (1-7) attenuated Aβ42-induced changes in the behavioral, biochemical and molecular observations in all the selected rat brain regions. However, A779, Mas receptor blocker, significantly abolished the beneficial effects of Ang (1-7) in Aβ42-induced cognitive deficit animals. These observations clearly indicate that the Ang (1-7)/Mas receptor activation could be a potential alternative option in the management of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhav Varshney
- Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura 281 406, India
| | - Debapriya Garabadu
- Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura 281 406, India.
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Machado TCG, Guatimosim C, Kangussu LM. The Renin-Angiotensin System in Huntington's Disease: Villain or Hero? Protein Pept Lett 2020; 27:456-462. [PMID: 31933441 PMCID: PMC7403685 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200110154523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe symptoms, including motor impairment, cognitive decline, and psychiatric alterations. Several systems, molecules, and mediators have been associated with the pathophysiology of HD. Among these, there is the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS), a peptide hormone system that has been associated with the pathology of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Important alterations in this system have been demonstrated in HD. However, the role of RAS components in HD is still unclear and needs further investigation. Nonetheless, modulation of the RAS components may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatiane C G Machado
- Departamento de Morfologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lucas M Kangussu
- Departamento de Morfologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Early epigenomic and transcriptional changes reveal Elk-1 transcription factor as a therapeutic target in Huntington's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:24840-24851. [PMID: 31744868 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908113116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a late clinical onset despite ubiquitous expression of the mutant Huntingtin gene (HTT) from birth. Transcriptional dysregulation is a pivotal feature of HD. Yet, the genes that are altered in the prodromal period and their regulators, which present opportunities for therapeutic intervention, remain to be elucidated. Using transcriptional and chromatin profiling, we found aberrant transcription and changes in histone H3K27acetylation in the striatum of R6/1 mice during the presymptomatic disease stages. Integrating these data, we identified the Elk-1 transcription factor as a candidate regulator of prodromal changes in HD. Exogenous expression of Elk-1 exerted beneficial effects in a primary striatal cell culture model of HD, and adeno-associated virus-mediated Elk-1 overexpression alleviated transcriptional dysregulation in R6/1 mice. Collectively, our work demonstrates that aberrant gene expression precedes overt disease onset in HD, identifies the Elk-1 transcription factor as a key regulator linked to early epigenetic and transcriptional changes in HD, and presents evidence for Elk-1 as a target for alleviating molecular pathology in HD.
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