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Salomon-Zimri S, Pushett A, Russek-Blum N, Van Eijk RPA, Birman N, Abramovich B, Eitan E, Elgrart K, Beaulieu D, Ennist DL, Berry JD, Paganoni S, Shefner JM, Drory VE. Combination of ciprofloxacin/celecoxib as a novel therapeutic strategy for ALS. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 24:263-271. [PMID: 36106817 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2119868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a fixed-dose co-formulation of ciprofloxacin and celecoxib (PrimeC) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to examine its effects on disease progression and ALS-related biomarkers. METHODS In this proof of concept, open-label, phase IIa study of PrimeC in 15 patients with ALS, participants were administered PrimeC thrice daily for 12 months. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Exploratory endpoints included disease progression outcomes such as forced vital capacity, revised ALS functional rating scale, and effect on algorithm-predicted survival. In addition, indications of a biological effect were assessed by selected biomarker analyses, including TDP-43 and LC3 levels in neuron-derived exosomes (NDEs), and serum neurofilaments. RESULTS Four participants experienced adverse events (AEs) related to the study drug. None of these AEs were unexpected, and most were mild or moderate (69%). Additionally, no serious AEs were related to the study drug. One participant tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered without complications, and no other abnormal laboratory investigations were found. Participants' survival compared to their predictions showed no safety concerns. Biomarker analyses demonstrated significant changes associated with PrimeC in neural-derived exosomal TDP-43 levels and levels of LC3, a key autophagy marker. INTERPRETATION This study supports the safety and tolerability of PrimeC in ALS. Biomarker analyses suggest early evidence of a biological effect. A placebo-controlled trial is required to disentangle the biomarker results from natural progression and to evaluate the efficacy of PrimeC for the treatment of ALS. Summary for social media if publishedTwitter handles: @NeurosenseT, @ShiranZimri•What is the current knowledge on the topic? ALS is a severe neurodegenerative disease, causing death within 2-5 years from diagnosis. To date there is no effective treatment to halt or significantly delay disease progression.•What question did this study address? This study assessed the safety, tolerability and exploratory efficacy of PrimeC, a fixed dose co-formulation of ciprofloxacin and celecoxib in the ALS population.•What does this study add to our knowledge? This study supports the safety and tolerability of PrimeC in ALS, and exploratory biomarker analyses suggest early insight for disease related-alteration.•How might this potentially impact the practice of neurology? These results set the stage for a larger, placebo-controlled study to examine the efficacy of PrimeC, with the potential to become a new drug candidate for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Niva Russek-Blum
- NeuroSense Therapeutics, Ltd, Herzliya, Israel
- The Dead Sea Arava Science Center, Auspices of Ben Gurion University, Central Arava, Israel
| | - Ruben P. A. Van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nurit Birman
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Beatrice Abramovich
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - James D. Berry
- Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General and Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General and Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Vivian E. Drory
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Soll M, Goldshtein H, Rotkopf R, Russek-Blum N, Gross Z. A Synthetic SOD/Catalase Mimic Compound for the Treatment of ALS. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:827. [PMID: 34067277 PMCID: PMC8224677 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10060827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. To date, the etiology of the disease is still unclear, with evidence of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunction, iron homeostasis perturbation, protein misfolding and protein aggregation as key players in the pathology of the disease. Twenty percent of familial ALS and two percent of sporadic ALS instances are due to a mutation in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Sporadic and familial ALS affects the same neurons with similar pathology; therefore, the underlying hypothesis is that therapies effective in mutant SOD1 models could be translated to sporadic ALS. Corrole metal complexes have lately been identified as strong and potent catalytic antioxidants with beneficial effects in oxidative stress-related diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes and its complications. One of the most promising candidates is the iron complex of an amphiphilic corrole, 1-Fe. In this study we used the SOD1 G93R mutant zebrafish ALS model to assess whether 1-Fe, as a potent catalytic antioxidant, displays any therapeutic merits in vivo. Our results show that 1-Fe caused a substantial increase in mutant zebrafish locomotor activity (up to 30%), bringing the locomotive abilities of the mutant treated group close to that of the wild type untreated group (50% more than the mutated untreated group). Furthermore, 1-Fe did not affect WT larvae locomotor activity, suggesting that 1-Fe enhances locomotor ability by targeting mechanisms underlying SOD1 ALS specifically. These results may pave the way for future development of 1-Fe as a viable treatment for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matan Soll
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel;
| | - Hagit Goldshtein
- The Dead Sea & Arava Science Center, Auspices of Ben Gurion University, Central Arava 86815, Israel;
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Bioinformatics and Biological Computing Unit, Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel;
| | - Niva Russek-Blum
- The Dead Sea & Arava Science Center, Auspices of Ben Gurion University, Central Arava 86815, Israel;
| | - Zeev Gross
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel;
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Andreasson KI, Bachstetter AD, Colonna M, Ginhoux F, Holmes C, Lamb B, Landreth G, Lee DC, Low D, Lynch MA, Monsonego A, O’Banion MK, Pekny M, Puschmann T, Russek-Blum N, Sandusky LA, Selenica MLB, Takata K, Teeling J, Town T, Van Eldik LJ, Russek-Blum N, Monsonego A, Low D, Takata K, Ginhoux F, Town T, O’Banion MK, Lamb B, Colonna M, Landreth G, Andreasson KI, Sandusky LA, Selenica MLB, Lee DC, Holmes C, Teeling J, Lynch MA, Van Eldik LJ, Bachstetter AD, Pekny M, Puschmann T. Targeting innate immunity for neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system. J Neurochem 2016; 138:653-93. [PMID: 27248001 PMCID: PMC5433264 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is critically involved in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, and key signaling steps of innate immune activation hence represent promising therapeutic targets. This mini review series originated from the 4th Venusberg Meeting on Neuroinflammation held in Bonn, Germany, 7-9th May 2015, presenting updates on innate immunity in acute brain injury and chronic neurodegenerative disorders, such as traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer disease, on the role of astrocytes and microglia, as well as technical developments that may help elucidate neuroinflammatory mechanisms and establish clinical relevance. In this meeting report, a brief overview of physiological and pathological microglia morphology is followed by a synopsis on PGE2 receptors, insights into the role of arginine metabolism and further relevant aspects of neuroinflammation in various clinical settings, and concluded by a presentation of technical challenges and solutions when working with microglia and astrocyte cultures. Microglial ontogeny and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia, advances of TREM2 signaling, and the cytokine paradox in Alzheimer's disease are further contributions to this article. Neuroinflammation is critically involved in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, and key signaling steps of innate immune activation hence represent promising therapeutic targets. This mini review series originated from the 4th Venusberg Meeting on Neuroinflammation held in Bonn, Germany, 7-9th May 2015, presenting updates on innate immunity in acute brain injury and chronic neurodegenerative disorders, such as traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease, on the role of astrocytes and microglia, as well as technical developments that may help elucidate neuroinflammatory mechanisms and establish clinical relevance. In this meeting report, a brief overview on physiological and pathological microglia morphology is followed by a synopsis on PGE2 receptors, insights into the role of arginine metabolism and further relevant aspects of neuroinflammation in various clinical settings, and concluded by a presentation of technical challenges and solutions when working with microglia cultures. Microglial ontogeny and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia, advances of TREM2 signaling, and the cytokine paradox in Alzheimer's disease are further contributions to this article.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Niva Russek-Blum
- The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Central Arava Branch, Yair Station, Hazeva, Israel
| | - Alon Monsonego
- The Shraga Segal Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, The Faculty of Health Sciences: The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Donovan Low
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Kazuyuki Takata
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Department of Clinical and Translational Physiology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Terrence Town
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089,
| | - M. Kerry O’Banion
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642,
| | - Bruce Lamb
- Department of Neurosciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Gary Landreth
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University 44106
| | - Katrin I. Andreasson
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford Neuroscience Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Leslie A. Sandusky
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Tampa, FL 33613
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tampa, FL 33613
| | - Maj-Linda B. Selenica
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Tampa, FL 33613
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tampa, FL 33613
| | - Daniel C. Lee
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Tampa, FL 33613
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tampa, FL 33613
| | - Clive Holmes
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 7YD, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Teeling
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 7YD, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Milos Pekny
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Till Puschmann
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Abstract
Photoactivation of target compounds in a living organism has proven a valuable approach to investigate various biological processes such as embryonic development, cellular signaling and adult physiology. In this respect, the use of multi-photon microscopy enables quantitative photoactivation of a given light responsive agent in deep tissues at a single cell resolution. As zebrafish embryos are optically transparent, their development can be monitored in vivo. These traits make the zebrafish a perfect model organism for controlling the activity of a variety of chemical agents and proteins by focused light. Here we describe the use of two-photon microscopy to induce the activation of chemically caged fluorescein, which in turn allows us to follow cell's destiny in live zebrafish embryos. We use embryos expressing a live genetic landmark (GFP) to locate and precisely target any cells of interest. This procedure can be similarly used for precise light induced activation of proteins, hormones, small molecules and other caged compounds.
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Abstract
The diencephalon acts as an interactive site between the sensory, central, and endocrine systems and is one of the most elaborate structures in the vertebrate brain. To better understand the embryonic development and morphogenesis of the diencephalon, we developed an improved photoactivation (uncaging)-based lineage tracing strategy. To determine the exact position of a given diencephalic progenitor domain, we used a transgenic line driving green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells expressing the proneural protein, Neurogenin1 (Neurog1), which was used as a visible neural plate landmark. This approach facilitated precise labeling of defined groups of cells in the prospective diencephalon of the zebrafish neural plate. In this manner, we labeled multiple overlapping areas of the diencephalon, thereby ensuring both accuracy and reproducibility of our lineage tracing regardless of the dynamic changes of the developing neural plate. We present a fate map of the zebrafish diencephalon at a higher spatial resolution than previously described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niva Russek-Blum
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Russek-Blum N, Gutnick A, Nabel-Rosen H, Blechman J, Staudt N, Dorsky RI, Houart C, Levkowitz G. Dopaminergic neuronal cluster size is determined during early forebrain patterning. Development 2008; 135:3401-13. [PMID: 18799544 DOI: 10.1242/dev.024232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have explored the effects of robust neural plate patterning signals, such as canonical Wnt, on the differentiation and configuration of neuronal subtypes in the zebrafish diencephalon at single-cell resolution. Surprisingly, perturbation of Wnt signaling did not have an overall effect on the specification of diencephalic fates, but selectively affected the number of dopaminergic (DA) neurons. We identified the DA progenitor zone in the diencephalic anlage of the neural plate using a two-photon-based uncaging method and showed that the number of non-DA neurons derived from this progenitor zone is not altered by Wnt attenuation. Using birthdating analysis, we determined the timing of the last cell division of DA progenitors and revealed that the change in DA cell number following Wnt inhibition is not due to changes in cell cycle exit kinetics. Conditional inhibition of Wnt and of cell proliferation demonstrated that Wnt restricts the number of DA progenitors during a window of plasticity, which occurs at primary neurogenesis. Finally, we demonstrated that Wnt8b is a modulator of DA cell number that acts through the Fz8a (Fzd8a) receptor and its downstream effector Lef1, and which requires the activity of the Fezl (Fezf2) transcription factor for this process. Our data show that the differential response of distinct neuronal populations to the Wnt signal is not a simple interpretation of their relative anteroposterior position. This study also shows, for the first time, that diencephalic DA population size is modulated inside the neural plate much earlier than expected, concomitant with Wnt-mediated regional patterning events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niva Russek-Blum
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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