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Molaei P, Vaseghi S, Entezari M, Hashemi M, Nasehi M. The Effect of NeuroAid (MLC901) on Cholestasis-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment with Respect to the Expression of BAX, BCL-2, BAD, PGC-1α and TFAM Genes in the Hippocampus of Male Wistar Rats. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2154-2166. [PMID: 34031842 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cholestasis is a bile flow reduction that is induced following Bile Duct Ligation (BDL). Cholestasis impairs memory and induces apoptosis. Apoptosis consists of two pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic pathway is modulated by BCL-2 (B cell lymphoma-2) family proteins. BCL-2 (a pro-survival BCL-2 protein) has anti-apoptotic effect, while BAD (BCL-2-associated death) and BAX (BCL-2-associated X), the other members of BCL-2 family have pro-apoptotic effect. Furthermore, TFAM (mitochondrial transcriptional factor A) is involved in transcription and maintenance of mitochondrial DNA and PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. On the other hand, NeuroAid is a Traditional Chinese Medicine with neuroprotective and anti-apoptosis effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of cholestasis on spatial memory and expression of BCL-2, BAD, BAX, TFAM, and PGC-1α in the hippocampus of rats. Additionally, we assessed the effect of NeuroAid on cholestasis-induced cognitive and genetic alterations. Cholestasis was induced by BDL surgery and NeuroAid was injected intraperitoneal at the dose of 0.4 mg/kg. Furthermore, spatial memory was evaluated using Morris Water Maze (MWM) apparatus. The results showed cholestasis impaired spatial memory, increased the expression of BAD and BAX, decreased the expression of TFAM and PGC-1α, and did not alter the expression of BCL-2. Also, NeuroAid decreased the expression of BAD and BAX and increased the expression of TFAM, PGC-1α, and BCL-2. In conclusion, cholestasis impaired spatial memory and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. Also, cholestasis decreased the expression of TFAM and PGC-1α. Interestingly, NeuroAid restored the effects of cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pejman Molaei
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nasehi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.
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Lundin KE, Gissberg O, Smith CIE, Zain R. Chemical Development of Therapeutic Oligonucleotides. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2036:3-16. [PMID: 31410788 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9670-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of several different chemical modifications of nucleic acids, with improved base-pairing affinity and specificity as well as increased resistance against nucleases, has been described. These new chemistries have allowed the synthesis of different types of therapeutic oligonucleotides. Here we discuss selected chemistries used in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) applications (e.g., small interfering RNA (siRNA), RNase H activation, translational block, splice-switching, and also as aptamers). Recently approved oligonucleotide-based drugs are also presented briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin E Lundin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Olof Gissberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C I Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rula Zain
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Advanced Therapies, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Son HW, Yokota T. Recent Advances and Clinical Applications of Exon Inclusion for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1828:57-68. [PMID: 30171534 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8651-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in SMN1 that stops production of SMN (survival of motor neuron) protein. Insufficient levels of SMN results in the loss of motor neurons, which causes muscle weakness, respiratory distress, and paralysis. A nearly identical gene (SMN2) contains a C-to-T transition which excludes exon 7 from 90% of the mature mRNA transcripts, leading to unstable proteins which are targeted for degradation. Although SMN2 cannot fully compensate for a loss of SMN1 due to only 10% functional mRNA produced, the discovery of the intronic splicing silencer (ISS-N1) opened a doorway for therapy. By blocking its function with antisense oligonucleotides manipulated for high specificity and efficiency, exon 7 can be included to produce full-length mRNA, which then compensates for the loss of SMN1. Nusinersen (Spinraza), the first FDA-approved antisense oligonucleotide drug targeting SMA, was designed based on this concept and clinical studies have demonstrated a dramatic improvement in patients. Novel chemistries including phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) and locked nucleic acids (LNAs), as well as peptide conjugates such as Pip that facilitate accurate targeting to the central nervous system, are explored to increase the efficiency of exon 7 inclusion in the appropriate tissues to ameliorate the SMA phenotype. Due to the rapid advancement of treatments for SMA following the discovery of ISS-N1, the future of SMA treatment is highly promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Won Son
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Mohseni R, Ashrafi MR, Ai J, Nikougoftar M, Mohammadi M, Ghahvechi-Akbari M, Shoae-Hassani A, Hamidieh AA. Overexpression of SMN2 Gene in Motoneuron-Like Cells Differentiated from Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Ponasterone A. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 67:247-257. [PMID: 30535775 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1232-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapy and stem cell transplantation strategies have provided potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of neurological disorders. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are abundant adult stem cells with low immunogenicity, which can be used for allogeneic cell replacement therapies. Differentiation of ADMSCs into acetylcholine-secreting motoneurons (MNs) is a promising treatment for MN diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is associated with the level of SMN1 gene expression. The SMN2 gene plays an important role in MN disorders, as it can somewhat compensate for the lack of SMN1 expression in SMA patients. Although the differentiation potential of ADMSCs into MNs has been previously established, overexpression of SMN2 gene in a shorter period with a longer survival has yet to be elucidated. Ponasterone A (PNA), an ecdysteroid hormone activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, was studied as a new steroid to promote SMN2 overexpression in MNs differentiated from ADMSCs. After induction with retinoic acid, sonic hedgehog, forskolin, and PNA, MN phenotypes were differentiated from ADMSCs, and immunochemical staining, specific for β-tubulin, neuron-specific enolase, and choline acetyltransferase, was performed. Also, the results of real-time PCR assay indicated nestin, Pax6, Nkx2.2, Hb9, Olig2, and SMN2 expression in the differentiated cells. After 2 weeks of treatment, cultures supplemented with PNA showed a longer survival and a 1.2-fold increase in the expression of SMN2 (an overall 5.6-fold increase; *P ≤ 0.05), as confirmed by the Western blot analysis. The PNA treatment increased the levels of ChAT, Isl1, Hb9, and Nkx2 expression in MN-like cells. Our findings highlight the role of PNA in the upregulation of SMN2 genes from MSC-derived MN-like cells, which may serve as a potential candidate in cellular therapy for SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashin Mohseni
- Applied Cell Sciences and Tissue Engineering Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Reza Ashrafi
- Pediatric Neurology Division, Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Ai
- Applied Cell Sciences and Tissue Engineering Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahin Nikougoftar
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion medicine, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mohammadi
- Pediatric Neurology Division, Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masood Ghahvechi-Akbari
- Pediatric Neurology Division, Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Shoae-Hassani
- Applied Cell Sciences and Tissue Engineering Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Hamidieh
- Applied Cell Sciences and Tissue Engineering Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Department, Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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