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González JF, Sánchez-Montero JM. How to address the complexity of multi-targeted drug discovery for Alzheimer's disease? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-4. [PMID: 39075884 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2385576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan F González
- Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Sánchez-Montero
- Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Mayer C, Riera-Ponsati L, Kauppinen S, Klitgaard H, Erler JT, Hansen SN. Targeting the NRF2 pathway for disease modification in neurodegenerative diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1437939. [PMID: 39119604 PMCID: PMC11306042 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1437939] [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: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a global health issue and a major economic burden. They significantly impair both cognitive and motor functions, and their prevalence is expected to rise due to ageing societies and continuous population growth. Conventional therapies provide symptomatic relief, nevertheless, disease-modifying treatments that reduce or halt neuron death and malfunction are still largely unavailable. Amongst the common hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases are protein aggregation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) constitutes a central regulator of cellular defense mechanisms, including the regulation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial pathways, making it a highly attractive therapeutic target for disease modification in neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we describe the role of NRF2 in the common hallmarks of neurodegeneration, review the current pharmacological interventions and their challenges in activating the NRF2 pathway, and present alternative therapeutic approaches for disease modification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lluís Riera-Ponsati
- NEUmiRNA Therapeutics, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for RNA Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sakari Kauppinen
- NEUmiRNA Therapeutics, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for RNA Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Christoudia N, Bekas N, Kanata E, Chatziefsthathiou A, Pettas S, Karagianni K, Da Silva Correia SM, Schmitz M, Zerr I, Tsamesidis I, Xanthopoulos K, Dafou D, Sklaviadis T. Αnti-prion effects of anthocyanins. Redox Biol 2024; 72:103133. [PMID: 38565068 PMCID: PMC10990977 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103133] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, also known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), are protein-based neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affecting humans and animals. They are characterized by the conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, into the pathogenic isoform, PrPSc. Prion diseases are invariably fatal and despite ongoing research, no effective prophylactic or therapeutic avenues are currently available. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are unique flavonoid compounds and interest in their use as potential neuroprotective and/or therapeutic agents against NDs, has increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, we investigated the potential anti-oxidant and anti-prion effects of Oenin and Myrtillin, two of the most common anthocyanins, using the most accepted in the field overexpressing PrPScin vitro model and a cell free protein aggregation model. Our results, indicate both anthocyanins as strong anti-oxidant compounds, upregulating the expression of genes involved in the anti-oxidant response, and reducing the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), produced due to pathogenic prion infection, through the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Importantly, they showcased remarkable anti-prion potential, as they not only caused the clearance of pathogenic PrPSc aggregates, but also completely inhibited the formation of PrPSc fibrils in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Therefore, Oenin and Myrtillin possess pleiotropic effects, suggesting their potential use as promising preventive and/or therapeutic agents in prion diseases and possibly in the spectrum of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Christoudia
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Bekas
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Eirini Kanata
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Athanasia Chatziefsthathiou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Spyros Pettas
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Korina Karagianni
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Susana Margarida Da Silva Correia
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Ioannis Tsamesidis
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Morgenstern C, Lastres-Becker I, Demirdöğen BC, Costa VM, Daiber A, Foresti R, Motterlini R, Kalyoncu S, Arioz BI, Genc S, Jakubowska M, Trougakos IP, Piechota-Polanczyk A, Mickael M, Santos M, Kensler TW, Cuadrado A, Copple IM. Biomarkers of NRF2 signalling: Current status and future challenges. Redox Biol 2024; 72:103134. [PMID: 38643749 PMCID: PMC11046063 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103134] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytoprotective transcription factor NRF2 regulates the expression of several hundred genes in mammalian cells and is a promising therapeutic target in a number of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Hence, an ability to monitor basal and inducible NRF2 signalling is vital for mechanistic understanding in translational studies. Due to some caveats related to the direct measurement of NRF2 levels, the modulation of NRF2 activity is typically determined by measuring changes in the expression of one or more of its target genes and/or the associated protein products. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the most relevant set of these genes/proteins that best represents NRF2 activity across cell types and species. We present the findings of a comprehensive literature search that according to stringent criteria identifies GCLC, GCLM, HMOX1, NQO1, SRXN1 and TXNRD1 as a robust panel of markers that are directly regulated by NRF2 in multiple cell and tissue types. We assess the relevance of these markers in clinically accessible biofluids and highlight future challenges in the development and use of NRF2 biomarkers in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Morgenstern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, General Hospital of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, A-8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Isabel Lastres-Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Sols-Morreale" UAM-CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Birsen Can Demirdöğen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Vera Marisa Costa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreas Daiber
- Department of Cardiology 1, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Roberta Foresti
- University Paris-Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | | | | | - Burak I Arioz
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sermin Genc
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey; Department of Neuroscience, Health Sciences Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Monika Jakubowska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ioannis P Trougakos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15784, Greece
| | | | - Michel Mickael
- Department of Experimental Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552, Garbatka, Poland
| | - Marlene Santos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Thomas W Kensler
- Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Sols-Morreale" UAM-CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Ian M Copple
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK.
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Abdolmaleki A, Karimian A, Khoshnazar SM, Asadi A, Samarein ZA, Smail SW, Bhattacharya D. The role of Nrf2 signaling pathways in nerve damage repair. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae080. [PMID: 38799411 PMCID: PMC11116835 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The protein, Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), is a transitory protein that acts as a transcription factor and is involved in the regulation of many cytoprotective genes linked to xenobiotic metabolism and antioxidant responses. Based on the existing clinical and experimental data, it can be inferred that neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by an excessive presence of markers of oxidative stress (OS) and a reduced presence of antioxidant defense systems in both the brain and peripheral tissues. The presence of imbalances in the homeostasis between oxidants and antioxidants has been recognized as a substantial factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. The dysregulations include several cellular processes such as mitochondrial failure, protein misfolding, and neuroinflammation. These dysregulations all contribute to the disruption of proteostasis in neuronal cells, leading to their eventual mortality. A noteworthy component of Nrf2, as shown by recent research undertaken over the last decade, is to its role in the development of resistance to OS. Nrf2 plays a pivotal role in regulating systems that defend against OS. Extant research offers substantiation for the protective and defensive roles of Nrf2 in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the influence of Nrf2 on OS and its function in regulating antioxidant defense systems within the realm of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we evaluate the most recent academic inquiries and empirical evidence about the beneficial and potential role of certain Nrf2 activator compounds within the realm of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Abdolmaleki
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Advanced Technologies, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, PO Box: 179, Ardabil, 11367-56199, Iran
| | - Aida Karimian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, PO Box: 179, Ardabil, 11367-56199, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Mahdieh Khoshnazar
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Highway, Mustafa Khomeini Boulevard, Ibn Sina, Kerman, 9986598, Iran
| | - Asadollah Asadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, PO Box: 179, Ardabil, 11367-56199, Iran
| | - Zahra Akhavi Samarein
- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, PO Box: 179, Ardabil, 11367-56199, Iran
| | - Shukur Wasman Smail
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Science, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, 1235897, Iraq
| | - Deepak Bhattacharya
- Ph.D., Policy, Nursing, At Fight-Cancer at Home, Medicinal Toxicology & QC, Sri Radha Krishna Raas Mandir, KedarGouri Road, Bhubaneswar, Odisa 751002, India
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6
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Lynch DR, Perlman S, Schadt K. Omaveloxolone for the treatment of Friedreich ataxia: clinical trial results and practical considerations. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:251-258. [PMID: 38269532 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2310617] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Omavaloxolone, an NRF2 activator, recently became the first drug approved specifically for the treatment of Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). This landmark achievement provides a background for a review of the detailed data leading to the approval. AREAS COVERED The authors review the data from the 4 major articles on FRDA in the context of the authors' considerable (>1000 patients) experience in treating individuals with FRDA. The data is presented in the context not only of its scientific meaning but also in the practical context of therapy in FRDA. EXPERT OPINION Omaveloxolone provides a significant advance in the treatment of FRDA that is likely to be beneficial in a majority of the FRDA population. The data suggesting a benefit is consistent, and adverse issues are relatively modest. The major remaining questions are the subgroups that are most responsive and how long the beneficial effects will remain significant in FRDA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Lynch
- Friedrech Ataxia Program, Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan Perlman
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kim Schadt
- Friedreich Ataxia Program, Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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De Vita S, Masullo M, Grambone S, Bescós PB, Piacente S, Bifulco G. Demethylcalabaxanthone from Garcinia mangostana Exerts Antioxidant Effects through the Activation of the Nrf2 Pathway as Assessed via Molecular Docking and Biological Evaluation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1980. [PMID: 38001833 PMCID: PMC10669650 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12111980] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway activation promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes in response to rising oxidative stress, resulting in reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification and playing a central role in the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis and regulation of inflammation. Moreover, the biological effects of Nrf2 pathway activation contribute to reducing apoptosis and enhancing cell survival. The activity of Nrf2 is negatively regulated by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Prompted by the recent results reporting the impact of xanthone metabolites on oxidative stress, cancer, and inflammation, the antioxidant properties of xanthones isolated from Garcinia mangostana (γ-mangostin, α-mangostin, 8-deoxygartanin, demethylcalabaxanthone, garcinone D) were assessed. In particular, the capability of these natural products to disrupt the interaction between Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), triggering the activation of the Nrf2-mediated pathway, was evaluated using molecular docking experiments and in vitro tests. The modulation of some key Nrf2-related mediators like glutathione (GSH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to highlight a possible direct antioxidant effect was investigated. Among the tested compounds, demethylcalabaxanthone showed an indirect antioxidant effect, as corroborated by a Western blot assay, displaying a significant increase in the translocated protein upon its administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Vita
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 134, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (S.D.V.); (M.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Milena Masullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 134, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (S.D.V.); (M.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Sabrina Grambone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 134, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (S.D.V.); (M.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Paloma Bermejo Bescós
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sonia Piacente
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 134, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (S.D.V.); (M.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Bifulco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 134, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (S.D.V.); (M.M.); (S.G.)
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