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Predes D, Maia LA, Matias I, Araujo HPM, Soares C, Barros-Aragão FGQ, Oliveira LFS, Reis RR, Amado NG, Simas ABC, Mendes FA, Gomes FCA, Figueiredo CP, Abreu JG. The Flavonol Quercitrin Hinders GSK3 Activity and Potentiates the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012078. [PMID: 36292931 PMCID: PMC9602613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway dictates cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Its deregulation is associated with many pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disease, frequently downregulated. The lack of efficient treatment for these diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), makes Wnt signaling an attractive target for therapies. Interestingly, novel Wnt signaling activating compounds are less frequently described than inhibitors, turning the quest for novel positive modulators even more appealing. In that sense, natural compounds are an outstanding source of potential drug leads. Here, we combine different experimental models, cell-based approaches, neuronal culture assays, and rodent behavior tests with Xenopus laevis phenotypic analysis to characterize quercitrin, a natural compound, as a novel Wnt signaling potentiator. We find that quercitrin potentiates the signaling in a concentration-dependent manner and increases the occurrence of the Xenopus secondary axis phenotype mediated by Xwnt8 injection. Using a GSK3 biosensor, we describe that quercitrin impairs GSK3 activity and increases phosphorylated GSK3β S9 levels. Treatment with XAV939, an inhibitor downstream of GSK3, impairs the quercitrin-mediated effect. Next, we show that quercitrin potentiates the Wnt3a-synaptogenic effect in hippocampal neurons in culture, which is blocked by XAV939. Quercitrin treatment also rescues the hippocampal synapse loss induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β oligomers (AβO) in mice. Finally, quercitrin rescues AβO-mediated memory impairment, which is prevented by XAV939. Thus, our study uncovers a novel function for quercitrin as a Wnt/β-catenin signaling potentiator, describes its mechanism of action, and opens new avenues for AD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Predes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Lorena A. Maia
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Isadora Matias
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | | | - Carolina Soares
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz F. S. Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Renata R. Reis
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Nathalia G. Amado
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Alessandro B. C. Simas
- Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais Walter Mors, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Fabio A. Mendes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Flávia C. A. Gomes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Jose G. Abreu
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-3938-6486
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Lyra E Silva NM, Barros-Aragão FGQ, De Felice FG, Ferreira ST. Inflammation at the crossroads of COVID-19, cognitive deficits and depression. Neuropharmacology 2022; 209:109023. [PMID: 35257690 PMCID: PMC8894741 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia M Lyra E Silva
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Fernanda G Q Barros-Aragão
- D'OR Institute for Research & Education, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda G De Felice
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; D'OR Institute for Research & Education, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sergio T Ferreira
- D'OR Institute for Research & Education, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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3
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P B Gomes M, de Lima EV, G Q Barros-Aragão F, Passos YM, Lemos FS, Zamberlan DC, Ribeiro G, Macedo B, C Ferreira N, Silva JL, Figueiredo CP, Clarke JR, Cordeiro Y. Prion protein complexed to a DNA aptamer induce behavioral and synapse dysfunction in mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 419:113680. [PMID: 34822947 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the scrapie form (PrPSc) is the leading step to the development of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), still incurable neurodegenerative disorders. Interaction of PrPC with cellular and synthetic ligands that induce formation of scrapie-like conformations has been deeply investigated in vitro. Different nucleic acid (NA) sequences bind PrP and convert it to β-sheet-rich or unfolded species; among such NAs, a 21-mer double-stranded DNA, D67, was shown to induce formation of PrP aggregates that were cytotoxic. However, in vivo effects of these PrP-DNA complexes were not explored. Herein, aggregates of recombinant full-length PrP (rPrP23-231) induced by interaction with the D67 aptamer were inoculated into the lateral ventricle of Swiss mice and acute effects were investigated. The aggregates had no influence on emotional, locomotor and motor behavior of mice. In contrast, mice developed cognitive impairment and hippocampal synapse loss, which was accompanied by intense activation of glial cells in this brain region. Our results suggest that the i.c.v. injection of rPrP:D67 aggregates is an interesting model to study the neurotoxicity of aggregated PrP in vivo, and that glial cell activation may be an important step for behavioral and cognitive dysfunction in prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana P B Gomes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil; Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Bio-Manguinhos, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle V de Lima
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G Q Barros-Aragão
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil; Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Yulli M Passos
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Felipe S Lemos
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil; Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Daniele C Zamberlan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Ribeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Bruno Macedo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Natalia C Ferreira
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil; IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jerson L Silva
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo De Meis, National Institute of Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | | | - Julia R Clarke
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
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Vicente Santos AC, Guedes-da-Silva FH, Dumard CH, Ferreira VNS, da Costa IPS, Machado RA, Barros-Aragão FGQ, Neris RLS, dos-Santos JS, Assunção-Miranda I, Figueiredo CP, Dias AA, Gomes AMO, de Matos Guedes HL, Oliveira AC, Silva JL. Yellow fever vaccine protects mice against Zika virus infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009907. [PMID: 34735450 PMCID: PMC8594798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged as an important infectious disease agent in Brazil in 2016. Infection usually leads to mild symptoms, but severe congenital neurological disorders and Guillain-Barré syndrome have been reported following ZIKV exposure. Creating an effective vaccine against ZIKV is a public health priority. We describe the protective effect of an already licensed attenuated yellow fever vaccine (YFV, 17DD) in type-I interferon receptor knockout mice (A129) and immunocompetent BALB/c and SV-129 (A129 background) mice infected with ZIKV. YFV vaccination provided protection against ZIKV, with decreased mortality in A129 mice, a reduction in the cerebral viral load in all mice, and weight loss prevention in BALB/c mice. The A129 mice that were challenged two and three weeks after the first dose of the vaccine were fully protected, whereas partial protection was observed five weeks after vaccination. In all cases, the YFV vaccine provoked a substantial decrease in the cerebral viral load. YFV immunization also prevented hippocampal synapse loss and microgliosis in ZIKV-infected mice. Our vaccine model is T cell-dependent, with AG129 mice being unable to tolerate immunization (vaccination is lethal in this mouse model), indicating the importance of IFN-γ in immunogenicity. To confirm the role of T cells, we immunized nude mice that we demonstrated to be very susceptible to infection. Immunization with YFV and challenge 7 days after booster did not protect nude mice in terms of weight loss and showed partial protection in the survival curve. When we evaluated the humoral response, the vaccine elicited significant antibody titers against ZIKV; however, it showed no neutralizing activity in vitro and in vivo. The data indicate that a cell-mediated response promotes protection against cerebral infection, which is crucial to vaccine protection, and it appears to not necessarily require a humoral response. This protective effect can also be attributed to innate factors, but more studies are needed to strengthen this hypothesis. Our findings open the way to using an available and inexpensive vaccine for large-scale immunization in the event of a ZIKV outbreak. Zika virus (ZIKV) is as an important infectious that may result in severe congenital neurological disorders. Our study reports that the current attenuated yellow fever vaccine is effective in immunizing against the infection caused by the Zika virus, due to the similarity between the two viruses. To study the efficacy of the vaccine, we used different mouse strains, including both animals with a healthy immune system (immunocompetent) and animals with compromised immune systems and therefore more susceptible to viral (immunocompromised) infections. The vaccine was given subcutaneously, as it does in humans. The animals were inoculated with the Zika virus directly into the brain—a protocol normally adopted in vaccine studies to simulate a high lethality infection. In all cases, the vaccinated mice developed a high degree of protection against Zika infection. Altogether, we demonstrate that the YFV vaccine elicits an immune response that protects against cerebral infection by ZIKV. Our findings suggest the possibility of using an available and inexpensive vaccine for large-scale immunization in the event of a ZIKV outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Vicente Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural de Vírus, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francisca H. Guedes-da-Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Termodinâmica de Proteínas e Vírus Gregorio Weber, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos H. Dumard
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Termodinâmica de Proteínas e Vírus Gregorio Weber, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vivian N. S. Ferreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural de Vírus, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Igor P. S. da Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural de Vírus, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ruana A. Machado
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural de Vírus, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Rômulo L. S. Neris
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Júlio S. dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iranaia Assunção-Miranda
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André A. Dias
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andre M. O. Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural de Vírus, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Herbert L. de Matos Guedes
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (HLMG); (ACO); j (JLS)
| | - Andrea C. Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural de Vírus, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (HLMG); (ACO); j (JLS)
| | - Jerson L. Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Termodinâmica de Proteínas e Vírus Gregorio Weber, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (HLMG); (ACO); j (JLS)
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5
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Piermartiri TCB, Dos Santos B, Barros-Aragão FGQ, Prediger RD, Tasca CI. Guanosine Promotes Proliferation in Neural Stem Cells from Hippocampus and Neurogenesis in Adult Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3814-3826. [PMID: 32592125 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01977-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem cells can generate new neurons in the mouse adult brain in a complex multistep process called neurogenesis. Several factors regulate this process, including neurotransmitters, hormones, neurotrophic factors, pharmacological agents, and environmental factors. Purinergic signaling, mainly the adenosinergic system, takes part in neurogenesis, being involved in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. However, the role of the purine nucleoside guanosine in neurogenesis remains unclear. Here, we examined the effect of guanosine by using the neurosphere assay derived from neural stem cells of adult mice. We found that continuous treatment with guanosine increased the number of neurospheres, neural stem cell proliferation, and neuronal differentiation. The effect of guanosine to increase the number of neurospheres was reduced by removing adenosine from the culture medium. We next traced the neurogenic effect of guanosine in vivo. The intraperitoneal treatment of adult C57BL/6 mice with guanosine (8 mg/kg) for 26 days increased the number of dividing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells and also increased neurogenesis, as identified by measuring doublecortin (DCX)-positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Antidepressant-like behavior in adult mice accompanied the guanosine-induced neurogenesis in the DG. These results provide new evidence of a pro-neurogenic effect of guanosine on neural stem/progenitor cells, and it was associated in vivo with antidepressant-like effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsade C B Piermartiri
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Dos Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Rui D Prediger
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.,Departamento de Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Carla Inês Tasca
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Diniz LP, Araujo APB, Matias I, Garcia MN, Barros-Aragão FGQ, de Melo Reis RA, Foguel D, Braga C, Figueiredo CP, Romão L, Gomes FCA. Astrocyte glutamate transporters are increased in an early sporadic model of synucleinopathy. Neurochem Int 2020; 138:104758. [PMID: 32439533 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
α-Synuclein protein (α-syn) is a central player in Parkinson's disease (PD) and in a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as synucleinopathies. These diseases are characterized by abnormal motor symptoms, such as tremor at rest, slowness of movement, rigidity of posture, and bradykinesia. Histopathological features of PD include preferential loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and formation of fibrillar intraneuronal inclusions called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, which are composed primarily of the α-syn protein. Currently, it is well accepted that α-syn oligomers (αSO) are the main toxic agent responsible for the etiology of PD. Glutamatergic excitotoxicity is associated with several neurological disorders, including PD. Excess glutamate in the synaptic cleft can be taken up by the astrocytic glutamate transporters GLAST and GLT-1. Although this event is the main defense against glutamatergic excitotoxicity, the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process have not yet been investigated in an early sporadic model of synucleinopathy. Here, using an early sporadic model of synucleinopathy, we demonstrated that the treatment of astrocytes with αSO increased glutamate uptake. This was associated with higher levels of GLAST and GLT-1 in astrocyte cultures and in a mouse model of synucleinopathy 24 h and 45 days after inoculation with αSO, respectively. Pharmacological inhibition of the TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) pathway in vivo reverted GLAST/GLT-1 enhancement induced by αSO injection. Therefore, our study describes a new neuroprotective role of astrocytes in an early sporadic model of synucleinopathy and sheds light on the mechanisms of glutamate transporter regulation for neuroprotection against glutamatergic excitotoxicity in synucleinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Pereira Diniz
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula Bérgamo Araujo
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isadora Matias
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matheus N Garcia
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G Q Barros-Aragão
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Débora Foguel
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Braga
- Campus Duque de Caxias, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cláudia P Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Romão
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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7
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Diniz LP, Matias I, Araujo APB, Garcia MN, Barros-Aragão FGQ, Alves-Leon SV, de Souza JM, Foguel D, Figueiredo CP, Braga C, Romão L, Gomes FCA. α-synuclein oligomers enhance astrocyte-induced synapse formation through TGF-β1 signaling in a Parkinson's disease model. J Neurochem 2020; 150:138-157. [PMID: 31009074 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by selective death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway, increases in glutamatergic synapses in the striatum and aggregation of α-synuclein. Evidence suggests that oligomeric species of α-synuclein (αSO) are the genuine neurotoxins of PD. Although several studies have supported the direct neurotoxic effects of αSO on neurons, their effects on astrocytes have not been directly addressed. Astrocytes are essential to several steps of synapse formation and function, including secretion of synaptogenic factors, control of synaptic elimination and stabilization, secretion of neural/glial modulators, and modulation of extracellular ions, and neurotransmitter levels in the synaptic cleft. Here, we show that αSO induced the astrocyte reactivity and enhanced the synaptogenic capacity of human and murine astrocytes by increasing the levels of the known synaptogenic molecule transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). Moreover, intracerebroventricular injection of αSO in mice increased the number of astrocytes, the density of excitatory synapses, and the levels of TGF-β1 in the striatum of injected animals. Inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling impaired the effect of the astrocyte-conditioned medium on glutamatergic synapse formation in vitro and on striatal synapse formation in vivo, whereas addition of TGF-β1 protected mesencephalic neurons against synapse loss triggered by αSO. Together, our data suggest that αSO have important effects on astrocytic functions and describe TGF-β1 as a new endogenous astrocyte-derived molecule involved in the increase in striatal glutamatergic synaptic density present in early stages of PD. OPEN SCIENCE BADGES: This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14514.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Pereira Diniz
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Isadora Matias
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Ana Paula Bérgamo Araujo
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Matheus Nunes Garcia
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Jorge Marcondes de Souza
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Débora Foguel
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Carolina Braga
- Núcleo Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa em Biologia - NUMPEX-BIO, Campus Duque de Caxias Professor Geraldo Cidade, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Luciana Romão
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Souza INO, Barros-Aragão FGQ, Frost PS, Figueiredo CP, Clarke JR. Late Neurological Consequences of Zika Virus Infection: Risk Factors and Pharmaceutical Approaches. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:E60. [PMID: 30999590 PMCID: PMC6631207 DOI: 10.3390/ph12020060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was historically considered a disease with mild symptoms and no major consequences to human health. However, several long-term, late onset, and chronic neurological complications, both in congenitally-exposed babies and in adult patients, have been reported after ZIKV infection, especially after the 2015 epidemics in the American continent. The development or severity of these conditions cannot be fully predicted, but it is possible that genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors may contribute to determine ZIKV infection outcomes. This reinforces the importance that individuals exposed to ZIKV are submitted to long-term clinical surveillance and highlights the urgent need for the development of therapeutic approaches to reduce or eliminate the neurological burden of infection. Here, we review the epidemiology of ZIKV-associated neurological complications and the role of factors that may influence disease outcome. Moreover, we discuss experimental and clinical evidence of drugs that have shown promising results in vitro or in vitro against viral replication and and/or ZIKV-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis N O Souza
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda G Q Barros-Aragão
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Paula S Frost
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Claudia P Figueiredo
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Julia R Clarke
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21944-590, Brazil.
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