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Donders Z, Skorupska IJ, Willems E, Mussen F, Broeckhoven JV, Carlier A, Schepers M, Vanmierlo T. Beyond PDE4 inhibition: A comprehensive review on downstream cAMP signaling in the central nervous system. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117009. [PMID: 38908196 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117009] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a key second messenger that regulates signal transduction pathways pivotal for numerous biological functions. Intracellular cAMP levels are spatiotemporally regulated by their hydrolyzing enzymes called phosphodiesterases (PDEs). It has been shown that increased cAMP levels in the central nervous system (CNS) promote neuroplasticity, neurotransmission, neuronal survival, and myelination while suppressing neuroinflammation. Thus, elevating cAMP levels through PDE inhibition provides a therapeutic approach for multiple CNS disorders, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. In particular, inhibition of the cAMP-specific PDE4 subfamily is widely studied because of its high expression in the CNS. So far, the clinical translation of full PDE4 inhibitors has been hampered because of dose-limiting side effects. Hence, focusing on signaling cascades downstream activated upon PDE4 inhibition presents a promising strategy, offering novel and pharmacologically safe targets for treating CNS disorders. Yet, the underlying downstream signaling pathways activated upon PDE(4) inhibition remain partially elusive. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge regarding downstream mediators of cAMP signaling induced by PDE4 inhibition or cAMP stimulators. Furthermore, we highlight existing gaps and future perspectives that may incentivize additional downstream research concerning PDE(4) inhibition, thereby providing novel therapeutic approaches for CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Donders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Iga Joanna Skorupska
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht 6629ER, the Netherlands
| | - Emily Willems
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Femke Mussen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht 6629ER, the Netherlands
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium.
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Schepers M, Hendrix S, Mussen F, van Breedam E, Ponsaerts P, Lemmens S, Hellings N, Ricciarelli R, Fedele E, Bruno O, Brullo C, Prickaerts J, Van Broeckhoven J, Vanmierlo T. Amelioration of functional and histopathological consequences after spinal cord injury through phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) inhibition. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00372. [PMID: 38760316 PMCID: PMC11284540 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00372] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-changing event that severely impacts the patient's quality of life. Modulating neuroinflammation, which exacerbates the primary injury, and stimulating neuro-regenerative repair mechanisms are key strategies to improve functional recovery. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger crucially involved in both processes. Following SCI, intracellular levels of cAMP are known to decrease over time. Therefore, preventing cAMP degradation represents a promising strategy to suppress inflammation while stimulating regeneration. Intracellular cAMP levels are controlled by its hydrolyzing enzymes phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The PDE4 family is most abundantly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and its inhibition has been shown to be therapeutically relevant for managing SCI pathology. Unfortunately, the use of full PDE4 inhibitors at therapeutic doses is associated with severe emetic side effects, hampering their translation toward clinical applications. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the effect of inhibiting specific PDE4 subtypes (PDE4B and PDE4D) on inflammatory and regenerative processes following SCI, as inhibitors selective for these subtypes have been demonstrated to be well-tolerated. We reveal that administration of the PDE4D inhibitor Gebr32a, even when starting 2 dpi, but not the PDE4B inhibitor A33, improved functional as well as histopathological outcomes after SCI, comparable to results obtained with the full PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast. Furthermore, using a luminescent human iPSC-derived neurospheroid model, we show that PDE4D inhibition stabilizes neural viability by preventing apoptosis and stimulating neuronal differentiation. These findings strongly suggest that specific PDE4D inhibition offers a novel therapeutic approach for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Femke Mussen
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Elise van Breedam
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Niels Hellings
- University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Roberta Ricciarelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genoa, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, University of Genova, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genoa, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Olga Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Peitho Translational, 6229ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jana Van Broeckhoven
- University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium.
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Li Y, Wang M, Su J, Zhong R, Yin S, Zhao Z, Sun Z. Hypersampsonone H attenuates ulcerative colitis via inhibition of PDE4 and regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111490. [PMID: 38218008 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111490] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent intestinal inflammatory disease which poses a serious threat to the life of patients. However, there are no specific drugs for UC yet. Hypericum sampsonii Hance (HS) is a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used to treat enteritis and dysentery. Our previous studies have demonstrated that HS holds potential anti-UC effects, and a novel compound named Hypersampsonone H (HS-1) isolated from HS possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity. However, the beneficial effects of HS-1 on UC remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of HS-1 on UC and its potential mechanisms, both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The in vitro model was employed using LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of HS-1 and its possible mechanisms. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of HS-1 against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis were assessed through histopathological examination, biochemical analysis, and molecular docking. RESULTS In vitro, HS-1 significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses, as indicated by inhibiting NO production, down-regulating the overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS, as well as regulating the imbalanced levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Moreover, HS-1 also inhibited the expression of PDE4, elevated the intracellular cAMP level, and promoted the phosphorylation of CREB, thereby activating the PKA/CREB pathway in RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, HS-1 demonstrated therapeutic capacity against DSS-induced colitis by alleviating the symptoms of colitis mice, regulating the abnormal expression of inflammatory mediators, protecting the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier, and reducing tissue fibrosis. Consistently, HS-1 was found to decrease the expression of PDE4 isoforms, subsequently activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the molecular docking results indicated that HS-1 exhibited a high affinity for PDE4, particularly PDE4D. Further mechanistic validation in vitro demonstrated that HS-1 possessed a synergistic effect on forskolin and an antagonistic effect on H-89 dihydrochloride, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects through the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. CONCLUSION We disclose that HS-1 serves as a promising candidate drug for the treatment of UC by virtue of its ability to reduce DSS-induced colitis via the inhibition of PDE4 and the activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mingqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianhui Su
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ruimin Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
| | - Sheng Yin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhongxiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Zhanghua Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China.
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Jia Z, Zeng H, Ye X, Dai M, Tang C, Liu L. Hydrogel-based treatments for spinal cord injuries. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19933. [PMID: 37809859 PMCID: PMC10559361 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by damage resulting in dysfunction of the spinal cord. Hydrogels are common biomaterials that play an important role in the treatment of SCI. Hydrogels are biocompatible, and some have electrical conductivity that are compatible with spinal cord tissues. Hydrogels have a high drug-carrying capacity, allowing them to be used for SCI treatment through the loading of various types of active substances, drugs, or cells. We first discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the human spinal cord and briefly discuss SCI and its treatment. Then, we describe different treatment strategies for SCI. We further discuss the crosslinking methods and classification of hydrogels and detail hydrogel biomaterials prepared using different processing methods for the treatment of SCI. Finally, we analyze the future applications and limitations of hydrogels for SCI. The development of biomaterials opens up new possibilities and options for the treatment of SCI. Thus, our findings will inspire scholars in related fields and promote the development of hydrogel therapy for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Jia
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Huanxuan Zeng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Xiuzhi Ye
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Minghai Dai
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Chengxuan Tang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Liangle Liu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
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Yu Q, Liu M, Zhao T, Su M, Wang S, Xu W, He S, Li K, Mu X, Wu J, Sun P, Zheng F, Weng N. Mechanism of baixiangdan capsules on anti-neuroinflammation: combining dry and wet experiments. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:7689-7708. [PMID: 37556347 PMCID: PMC10457058 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204934] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, and despite intensive research, treatment of neuroinflammation remains limited. BaiXiangDan capsule (BXD) is widely used in clinical practice. However, systematic studies on the direct role and mechanisms of BXD in neuroinflammation are still lacking. We systematically evaluated the potential pharmacological mechanisms of BXD on neuroinflammation using network pharmacological analysis combined with experimental validation. Multiple databases are used to mine potential targets for bioactive ingredients, drug targets and neuroinflammation. GO and KEGG pathway analysis was also performed. Interactions between active ingredients and pivotal targets were confirmed by molecular docking. An experimental model of neuroinflammation was used to evaluate possible therapeutic mechanisms for BXD. Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Chrysoeriol, Kaempferol and Luteolin in BXD exerted their anti-neuroinflammatory effects mainly by acting on targets such as NCOA2, PIK3CA and PTGS2. Molecular docking results showed that their average affinity was less than -5 kcal/mol, with an average affinity of -8.286 kcal/mol. Pathways in cancer was found to be a potentially important pathway, with involvement of PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In addition, in vivo experiments showed that BXD treatment ameliorated neural damage and reduced neuronal cell death. Western blotting, RT-qPCR and ELISA analysis showed that BXD inhibited not only the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and NO, but also NF-κB, MMP9 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. This study applied network pharmacology and in vivo experiments to explore the possible mechanisms of BXD against neuroinflammation, providing insight into the treatment of neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingying Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Molin Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- College of Foreign Languages, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Mengyue Su
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Shukun Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Wenhua Xu
- Preventive Treatment Center, Shenzhen Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Shuhua He
- Department of Psychiatry, Boai Hospitai of Zhongshan, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Kejie Li
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Xiangyu Mu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Jibiao Wu
- Innovation Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Innovation Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Feng Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Ning Weng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
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