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Paterna A, Santonicola P, Di Prima G, Rao E, Raccosta S, Zampi G, Russo C, Moran O, Manno M, Di Schiavi E, Librizzi F, Carrotta R. α S1-Casein-Loaded Proteo-liposomes as Potential Inhibitors in Amyloid Fibrillogenesis: In Vivo Effects on a C. elegans Model of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3894-3904. [PMID: 37847529 PMCID: PMC10623563 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the amyloid hypothesis, in the early phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD), small soluble prefibrillar aggregates of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) interact with neuronal membranes, causing neural impairment. Such highly reactive and toxic species form spontaneously and transiently in the amyloid building pathway. A therapeutic strategy consists of the recruitment of these intermediates, thus preventing aberrant interaction with membrane components (lipids and receptors), which in turn may trigger a cascade of cellular disequilibria. Milk αs1-Casein is an intrinsically disordered protein that is able to inhibit Aβ amyloid aggregation in vitro, by sequestering transient species. In order to test αs1-Casein as an inhibitor for the treatment of AD, it needs to be delivered in the place of action. Here, we demonstrate the use of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) as suitable nanocarriers for αs1-Casein. Proteo-LUVs were prepared and characterized by different biophysical techniques, such as multiangle light scattering, atomic force imaging, and small-angle X-ray scattering; αs1-Casein loading was quantified by a fluorescence assay. We demonstrated on a C. elegans AD model the effectiveness of the proposed delivery strategy in vivo. Proteo-LUVs allow efficient administration of the protein, exerting a positive functional readout at very low doses while avoiding the intrinsic toxicity of αs1-Casein. Proteo-LUVs of αs1-Casein represent an effective proof of concept for the exploitation of partially disordered proteins as a therapeutic strategy in mild AD conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Paterna
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pamela Santonicola
- Institute
of Biosciences and Bioresources, Division of Napoli, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Department
of Medicine and Health Sciences, University
of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Prima
- Department
of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Estella Rao
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Samuele Raccosta
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Zampi
- Institute
of Biosciences and Bioresources, Division of Napoli, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudio Russo
- Department
of Medicine and Health Sciences, University
of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
- Consorzio
Interuniversitario in Ingegneria e Medicina (COIIM), Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Oscar Moran
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Genova, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Mauro Manno
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Elia Di Schiavi
- Institute
of Biosciences and Bioresources, Division of Napoli, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Librizzi
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Rita Carrotta
- Institute
of Biophysics, National Research Council, Division of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
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D'Acunto E, Fra A, Visentin C, Manno M, Ricagno S, Galliciotti G, Miranda E. Neuroserpin: structure, function, physiology and pathology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6409-6430. [PMID: 34405255 PMCID: PMC8558161 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03907-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuroserpin is a serine protease inhibitor identified in a search for proteins implicated in neuronal axon growth and synapse formation. Since its discovery over 30 years ago, it has been the focus of active research. Many efforts have concentrated in elucidating its neuroprotective role in brain ischemic lesions, the structural bases of neuroserpin conformational change and the effects of neuroserpin polymers that underlie the neurodegenerative disease FENIB (familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies), but the investigation of the physiological roles of neuroserpin has increased over the last years. In this review, we present an updated and critical revision of the current literature dealing with neuroserpin, covering all aspects of research including the expression and physiological roles of neuroserpin, both inside and outside the nervous system; its inhibitory and non-inhibitory mechanisms of action; the molecular structure of the monomeric and polymeric conformations of neuroserpin, including a detailed description of the polymerisation mechanism; and the involvement of neuroserpin in human disease, with particular emphasis on FENIB. Finally, we briefly discuss the identification by genome-wide screening of novel neuroserpin variants and their possible pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela D'Acunto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fra
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristina Visentin
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Cardiology, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Manno
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Ricagno
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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