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Xu H, Chen F, Liu Z, Gao R, He J, Li F, Li N, Mu X, Liu T, Wang Y, Chen X. B(a)P induces ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis via TRAF2-NFκB-Caspase1 axis during early pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118865. [PMID: 38583661 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] is an environmental endocrine disruptor with reproductive toxicity. The corpus luteum (CL) of the ovary plays an important role in embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance. Our previous studies have shown that B(a)P exposure affects embryo implantation and endometrial decidualization in mouse, but its effects and mechanisms on CL function remain unclear. In this study, we explore the mechanism of ovarian toxicity of B(a)P using a pregnant mouse model and an in vitro model of human ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) KGN. Pregnant mice were gavaged with corn oil or 0.2 mg/kg.bw B(a)P from pregnant day 1 (D1) to D7, while KGN cells were treated with DMSO, 1.0IU/mL hCG, or 1.0IU/mL hCG plus benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), a B(a)P metabolite. Our findings revealed that B(a)P exposure damaged embryo implantation and reduced estrogen and progesterone levels in early pregnant mice. Additionally, in vitro, BPDE impaired luteinization in KGN cells. We observed that B(a)P/BPDE promoted oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation, leading to apoptosis rather than pyroptosis in ovaries and luteinized KGN cells. This apoptotic response was mediated by the activation of inflammatory Caspase1 through the cleavage of BID. Furthermore, B(a)P/BPDE inhibited TRAF2 expression and suppressed NFκB signaling pathway activation. The administration of VX-765 to inhibit the Caspase1 activation, over-expression of TRAF2 using TRAF2-pcDNA3.1 (+) plasmid, and BetA-induced activation of NFκB signaling pathway successfully alleviated BPDE-induced apoptosis and cellular dysfunction in luteinized KGN cells. These findings were further confirmed in the KGN cell treated with H2O2 and NAC. In conclusion, this study elucidated that B(a)P/BPDE induces apoptosis rather than pyroptosis in GCs via TRAF2-NFκB-Caspase1 during early pregnancy, and highlighting OS as the primary contributor to B(a)P/BPDE-induced ovarian toxicity. Our results unveil a novel role of TRAF2-NFκB-Caspase1 in B(a)P-induced apoptosis and broaden the understanding of mechanisms underlying unexplained luteal phase deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanting Xu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Fangyuan Chen
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Junlin He
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Nanyan Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Jiulongpo District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, 400039, PR China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Taihang Liu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
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2
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Cohen MV, Downey JM. Initial Despair and Current Hope of Identifying a Clinically Useful Treatment of Myocardial Reperfusion Injury: Insights Derived from Studies of Platelet P2Y 12 Antagonists and Interference with Inflammation and NLRP3 Assembly. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5477. [PMID: 38791515 PMCID: PMC11122283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105477] [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] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardial necrosis following the successful reperfusion of a coronary artery occluded by thrombus in a patient presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) continues to be a serious problem, despite the multiple attempts to attenuate the necrosis with agents that have shown promise in pre-clinical investigations. Possible reasons include confounding clinical risk factors, the delayed application of protective agents, poorly designed pre-clinical investigations, the possible effects of routinely administered agents that might unknowingly already have protected the myocardium or that might have blocked protection, and the biological differences of the myocardium in humans and experimental animals. A better understanding of the pathobiology of myocardial infarction is needed to stem this reperfusion injury. P2Y12 receptor antagonists minimize platelet aggregation and are currently part of the standard treatment to prevent thrombus formation and propagation in STEMI protocols. Serendipitously, these P2Y12 antagonists also dramatically attenuate reperfusion injury in experimental animals and are presumed to provide a similar protection in STEMI patients. However, additional protective agents are needed to further diminish reperfusion injury. It is possible to achieve additive protection if the added intervention protects by a mechanism different from that of P2Y12 antagonists. Inflammation is now recognized to be a critical factor in the complex intracellular response to ischemia and reperfusion that leads to tissue necrosis. Interference with cardiomyocyte inflammasome assembly and activation has shown great promise in attenuating reperfusion injury in pre-clinical animal models. And the blockade of the executioner protease caspase-1, indeed, supplements the protection already seen after the administration of P2Y12 antagonists. Importantly, protective interventions must be applied in the first minutes of reperfusion, if protection is to be achieved. The promise of such a combination of protective strategies provides hope that the successful attenuation of reperfusion injury is attainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V. Cohen
- The Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36688, USA;
- The Departments of Medicine, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - James M. Downey
- The Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36688, USA;
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3
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Liu J, Tian Q, Zhang M. Preparation of VX765 sodium alginate nanogels and evaluation of their therapeutic effect via local injection on myocardial infarction in rats. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:169. [PMID: 38475920 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01765-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardial Infarction (MI) is major cause of heart failure, highlighting the critical need for effective therapeutic strategies to improve cardiac repair. This study investigated the cardioprotective effects of VX765-coated polyethyleneimine (PEI)/sodium alginate (AG) composite nanogels (AG/PEI-VX765 NGs) in a rat model of MI. Additionally, AG-VX765 NGs and PEI-VX765 nanospheres (NPs) were synthesized and tested to compare their efficacy. MI was caused in rats by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery, and the rats were grouped and set as Sham, MI, MI + VX765, MI + AG-VX765NGs, MI + PEI-VX765NPs, and MI + AG/PEI-VX765NGs. Results demonstrate that AG/PEI-VX765NGs were non-toxic and exhibited a sustained release of VX765. In vivo, experiments demonstrated that all treatment groups significantly enhanced cardiac function, reduced infarct size, fibrosis, and apoptosis in rats with MI, with the MI + AG/PEI-VX765NGs group exhibiting the most favorable outcomes. Our findings indicate that AG/PEI-VX765NGs represent a promising therapeutic approach for MI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlong Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingxin Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingxiao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China.
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4
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Janin YL. On the origins of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:81-118. [PMID: 38283212 PMCID: PMC10809347 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00493g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to address the world-wide health challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3CL protease/SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2-Mpro) coded by its nsp5 gene became one of the biochemical targets for the design of antiviral drugs. In less than 3 years of research, 4 inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro have actually been authorized for COVID-19 treatment (nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, leritrelvir and simnotrelvir) and more such as EDP-235, FB-2001 and STI-1558/Olgotrelvir or five undisclosed compounds (CDI-988, ASC11, ALG-097558, QLS1128 and H-10517) are undergoing clinical trials. This review is an attempt to picture this quite unprecedented medicinal chemistry feat and provide insights on how these cysteine protease inhibitors were discovered. Since many series of covalent SARS-CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors owe some of their origins to previous work on other proteases, we first provided a description of various inhibitors of cysteine-bearing human caspase-1 or cathepsin K, as well as inhibitors of serine proteases such as human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or the hepatitis C protein complex NS3/4A. This is then followed by a description of the results of the approaches adopted (repurposing, structure-based and high throughput screening) to discover coronavirus main protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves L Janin
- Structure et Instabilité des Génomes (StrInG), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, INSERM, CNRS, Alliance Sorbonne Université 75005 Paris France
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5
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Hadian K, Stockwell BR. The therapeutic potential of targeting regulated non-apoptotic cell death. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:723-742. [PMID: 37550363 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00749-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell death is critical for the development and homeostasis of almost all multicellular organisms. Moreover, its dysregulation leads to diverse disease states. Historically, apoptosis was thought to be the major regulated cell death pathway, whereas necrosis was considered to be an unregulated form of cell death. However, research in recent decades has uncovered several forms of regulated necrosis that are implicated in degenerative diseases, inflammatory conditions and cancer. The growing insight into these regulated, non-apoptotic cell death pathways has opened new avenues for therapeutic targeting. Here, we describe the regulatory pathways of necroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, lysozincrosis and disulfidptosis. We discuss small-molecule inhibitors of the pathways and prospects for future drug discovery. Together, the complex mechanisms governing these pathways offer strategies to develop therapeutics that control non-apoptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Hadian
- Research Unit Signaling and Translation, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Pockes S, Walters MA, Ashe KH. Targeting caspase-2 interactions with tau in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Transl Res 2023; 254:34-40. [PMID: 36343883 PMCID: PMC9991976 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Targeting amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles has failed to provide effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). A more fruitful pathway to ADRD therapeutics may be the development of therapies that target common signaling pathways that disrupt synaptic connections and impede communication between neurons. In this review, we present our characterization of a signaling pathway common to several neurological diseases featuring dementia including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Huntington's disease. This signaling pathway features the cleavage of tau by caspase-2 (Casp2) yielding Δtau314 (Casp2/tau/Δtau314). Through a not yet fully delineated mechanism, Δtau314 catalyzes the mislocalization and accumulation of tau to dendritic spines leading to the internalization of AMPA receptors and the concomitant weakening of synaptic transmission. Here, we review the accumulated evidence supporting Casp2 as a druggable target and its importance in ADRD. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of our initial medicinal chemistry explorations aimed at the preparation of novel, brain penetrant Casp2 inhibitors. We anticipate that this review will spark broader interest in Casp2 as a target for restoring synaptic dysfunction in ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Michael A Walters
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Karen H Ashe
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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7
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Yang XM, Cohen MV, Sayner S, Audia JP, Downey JM. Lethal Caspase-1/4-Dependent Injury Occurs in the First Minutes of Coronary Reperfusion and Requires Calpain Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043801. [PMID: 36835212 PMCID: PMC9960231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To study the relationship between caspase-1/4 and reperfusion injury, we measured infarct size (IS) in isolated mouse hearts undergoing 50 min global ischemia/2 h reperfusion. Starting VRT-043198 (VRT) at reperfusion halved IS. The pan-caspase inhibitor emricasan duplicated VRT's protection. IS in caspase-1/4-knockout hearts was similarly reduced, supporting the hypothesis that caspase-1/4 was VRT's only protective target. NLRC4 inflammasomes activate caspase-1. NLRC4 knockout hearts were not protected, eliminating NLRC4 as caspase-1/4's activator. The amount of protection that could be achieved by only suppressing caspase-1/4 activity was limited. In wild-type (WT) hearts, ischemic preconditioning (IPC) was as protective as caspase-1/4 inhibitors. Combining IPC and emricasan in these hearts or preconditioning caspase-1/4-knockout hearts produced an additive IS reduction, indicating that more protection could be achieved by combining treatments. We determined when caspase-1/4 exerted its lethal injury. Starting VRT after 10 min of reperfusion in WT hearts was no longer protective, revealing that caspase-1/4 inflicted its injury within the first 10 min of reperfusion. Ca++ influx at reperfusion might activate caspase-1/4. We tested whether Ca++-dependent soluble adenylyl cyclase (AC10) could be responsible. However, IS in AC10-/- hearts was not different from that in WT control hearts. Ca++-activated calpain has been implicated in reperfusion injury. Calpain could be releasing actin-bound procaspase-1 in cardiomyocytes, which would explain why caspase-1/4-related injury is confined to early reperfusion. The calpain inhibitor calpeptin duplicated emricasan's protection. Unlike IPC, adding calpain to emricasan offered no additional protection, suggesting that caspase-1/4 and calpain may share the same protective target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Ming Yang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Michael V. Cohen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Sarah Sayner
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Jonathon P. Audia
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - James M. Downey
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
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8
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Bastami Z, Sheikhpour R, Razzaghi P, Ramazani A, Gharaghani S. Proteochemometrics modeling for prediction of the interactions between caspase isoforms and their inhibitors. Mol Divers 2023; 27:249-261. [PMID: 35438428 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10425-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Caspases (cysteine-aspartic proteases) play critical roles in inflammation and the programming of cell death in the form of necroptosis, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. The name of these enzymes has been chosen in accordance with their cysteine protease activity. They act as cysteines in nucleophilically active sites to attack and cleave target proteins in the aspartic acid and amino acid C-terminal. Based on the substrate's structure and the specificity, the physiological activity of caspases is divided. However, in apoptosis, the division of caspases into initiating caspases (caspase 2, 8, 9, and 10) and executive caspases (caspase 3, 6, and 7) is essential. The present study aimed to perform Proteochemometrics Modeling to generalize the data on caspases, which could predict ligand and protein interactions. In this study, we employed protein and ligand descriptors. Moreover, protein descriptors were computed using the Protr R package, while PADEL-Descriptor was employed for the computation of ligand descriptors. In addition, NCA (Neighborhood Component Analyses) was used for descriptor selection, and SVR, decision tree, and ensemble methods were utilized for the proteochemometrics modeling. This study shows that the ensemble model demonstrates superior performance compared with other models in terms of R2, Q2, and RMSE criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Bastami
- Department of Bioinformatics, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran.,Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Drug Design (LBD), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Sheikhpour
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran
| | - Parvin Razzaghi
- Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Sajjad Gharaghani
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Drug Design (LBD), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Dong D, Ren A, Yang Y, Su J, Liu L, Zhuo W, Liang Y. VX-765 Alleviates β-Amyloid Deposition and Secondary Degeneration in the Ipsilateral Hippocampus and Ameliorates Cognitive Decline after Focal Cortical Infarction in Rats. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:2389-2397. [PMID: 36441377 PMCID: PMC9805416 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02088-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Focal cortical infarction leads to secondary degeneration of the ipsilateral hippocampus, which is associated with poststroke cognitive impairment. VX-765 is a potent small-molecule caspase-1 inhibitor that protects against central nervous system diseases. The present study aimed to determine the protective effects of VX-765 on β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and secondary degeneration in the hippocampus as well as cognitive decline after cortical infarction. Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish a distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) model and randomly divided into the vehicle and VX-765 groups. Rats in the vehicle and VX-765 groups, respectively, were subcutaneously injected with VX-765 (50 mg/kg/d) and an isopycnic vehicle once a day for 28 days, starting 1 h after dMCAO. At the end of this 28-day period, cognitive impairment was evaluated with the Morris water maze, and secondary hippocampal damage was evaluated with Nissl staining and immunostaining methods. Neuronal damage and pyroptosis were detected by TUNEL and immunoblotting. The results revealed that VX-765 treatment ameliorated poststroke cognitive dysfunction after ischemia. VX-765 reduced Aβ deposition, neuronal loss, and glial activation compared with the vehicle control. In addition, VX-765 treatment increased BDNF levels and normalized synaptophysin protein levels in the hippocampus after cortical infarction. Notably, VX-765 treatment significantly reduced the expression of the pyroptosis-related molecules caspase-1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), gasdermin D, IL-1β, and IL-18. Additionally, VX-765 significantly decreased the numbers of TUNEL-positive cells and the levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (cC3) and enhanced the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl after ischemia. Inflammatory pathways, such as the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, were inhibited by VX-765 treatment after ischemia. These findings revealed that VX-765 reduced Aβ deposition, pyroptosis, and apoptosis in the ipsilateral hippocampus, which may be associated with reduced secondary degeneration and cognitive decline following focal cortical infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Dong
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Aihui Ren
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayi Su
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Libin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenyan Zhuo
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Yubin Liang
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.
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10
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Ge Y, Chen Y, Guo C, Luo H, Fu F, Ji W, Wu C, Ruan H. Pyroptosis and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Implications. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:5857-5871. [PMID: 36263145 PMCID: PMC9575467 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s382069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem worldwide, resulting in great patient suffering and great challenges for the social health system. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is widely acknowledged as one of the key causes of LBP. Accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant pyroptosis of IVD cells is involved in the pathogenesis of IVDD progression, however, the comprehensive roles of pyroptosis in IVDD have not been fully established, leaving attempts to treat IVDD with anti-pyroptosis approaches questionable. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of pyroptosis and emphasize the effects of IVD cell pyroptosis on the pathological progression of IVDD, including secretion of cytokines, nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and autophagy, accelerated extracellular matrix degradation, annulus fibrosus rupture, cartilage endplate calcification, vascularization, sensory and sympathetic fiber neoinnervation, and infiltrating lymphatic vessels. Finally, we discuss several interventions used to treat IVDD by targeting pyroptosis. This review provides novel insights into the crucial role of IVD cell pyroptosis in IVDD pathogenesis, and could be informative for developing novel therapeutic approaches for IVDD and LBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Ge
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuying Chen
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chijiao Guo
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fangda Fu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China,Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Ji
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China,Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengliang Wu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China,Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Chengliang Wu, Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China, Email
| | - Hongfeng Ruan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China,Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Hongfeng Ruan, Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, 310053, People’s Republic of China, Email
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11
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Flores J, Fillion ML, LeBlanc AC. Caspase-1 inhibition improves cognition without significantly altering amyloid and inflammation in aged Alzheimer disease mice. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:864. [PMID: 36220815 PMCID: PMC9553979 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05290-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Human genetic and animal model studies indicate that brain microglial inflammation is a primary driver of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer Disease (AD). Inflammasome-activated Caspase-1 (Casp1) is associated with both AD microglial inflammation and neuronal degeneration. In mice, Casp1 genetic ablation or VX-765 small molecule inhibition of Casp1 given at onset of cognitive deficits strongly supports the association between microglial inflammation and cognitive impairment. Here, VX-765 significantly improved episodic and spatial memory impairment eight months after the onset of cognitive impairment in aged AD mice with significant amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) accumulation and microglial inflammation. Unexpectedly, while cognitive improvement was associated with dendritic spine density and hippocampal synaptophysin level recovery, VX-765 only slightly decreased Aβ deposition and did not alter biochemically-measured Aβ levels. Furthermore, increased hippocampal Iba1+-microglia, GFAP+-astrocytes, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels were unaltered by VX-765. These results support the hypothesis that neuronal degeneration, not Aβ or microglial inflammation, drives cognitive impairment in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Flores
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Marie-Lyne Fillion
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Andréa C. LeBlanc
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
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12
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Useinovic N, Maksimovic S, Liechty C, Cabrera OH, Quillinan N, Jevtovic-Todorovic V. Systemic inflammation exacerbates developmental neurotoxicity induced by sevoflurane in neonatal rats. Br J Anaesth 2022; 129:555-566. [PMID: 35701270 PMCID: PMC10080473 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND General anaesthesia in the neonatal period has detrimental effects on the developing mammalian brain. The impact of underlying inflammation on anaesthesia-induced developmental neurotoxicity remains largely unknown. METHODS Postnatal day 7 (PND7) rats were randomly assigned to receive sevoflurane (3 vol% for 3 h) or carrier gas 12 h after bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg g-1) or vehicle injection. Pharmacological inhibition of caspase-1 by Vx-765 (two doses of 50 μg g-1 body weight) was used to investigate mechanistic pathways of neuronal injury. Histomorphological injury and molecular changes were quantified 2 h after the end of anaesthesia. Long-term functional deficits were tested at 5-8 weeks of age using a battery of behavioural tests in the memory and anxiety domains. RESULTS Sevoflurane or LPS treatment increased activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression in the hippocampal subiculum and CA1, which was greater when sevoflurane was administered in the setting of LPS-induced inflammation. Neuronal injury induced by LPS+sevoflurane treatment resulted in sex-specific behavioural outcomes when rats were tested at 5-8 weeks of age, including learning and memory deficits in males and heightened anxiety-related behaviour in females. Hippocampal caspase-1 and NLRP1 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 1), but not NLRP3, were upregulated by LPS or LPS+sevoflurane treatment, along with related proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18. Pretreatment with Vx-765, a selective caspase-1 inhibitor, led to reduced IL-1β in LPS and LPS+sevoflurane groups. Caspase-1 inhibition by Vx-765 significantly decreased activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 immunoreactivity in the subiculum. CONCLUSIONS Systemic inflammation promotes developmental neurotoxicity by worsening anaesthesia-induced neuronal damage with sex-specific behavioural outcomes. This highlights the importance of studying anaesthesia-induced neurotoxicity in more clinically relevant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemanja Useinovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Stefan Maksimovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Cole Liechty
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Omar H Cabrera
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nidia Quillinan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Neuronal Injury and Plasticity Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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13
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Abstract
![]()
The
SARS-CoV-2 main protease is among the most attractive targets
for the development of therapeutic interventions for COVID-19. Successful
candidate agents will not only possess potent on-target activity versus
SARS-CoV-2 Mpro but also minimal polypharmacology versus
human cysteine proteases. This Viewpoint explores the activity profile
of the first approved SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor (Nirmatrelvir)
versus a panel of cysteine proteases and considers the therapeutic
implications of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Y Duveau
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States.,Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
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14
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Inflammasome Signaling in Atrial Fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol 2022; 79:2349-2366. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.03.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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Bresinsky M, Strasser JM, Hubmann A, Vallaster B, McCue WM, Fuller J, Singh G, Nelson KM, Cuellar ME, Finzel BC, Ashe KH, Walters MA, Pockes S. Characterization of caspase‐2 inhibitors based on specific sites of caspase‐2‐mediated proteolysis. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200095. [DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Bresinsky
- Institute of Pharmacy University of Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | - Jessica M. Strasser
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | | | | | - William M. McCue
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Jessica Fuller
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Kathryn M. Nelson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Matthew E. Cuellar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Barry C. Finzel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Karen H. Ashe
- Department of Neurology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- GRECC, Minneapolis VA Hospital Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Michael A. Walters
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy University of Regensburg Regensburg Germany
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- Department of Neurology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
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16
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Singh G, Liu P, Yao KR, Strasser JM, Hlynialuk C, Leinonen-Wright K, Teravskis PJ, Choquette JM, Ikramuddin J, Bresinsky M, Nelson KM, Liao D, Ashe KH, Walters MA, Pockes S. Caspase-2 Inhibitor Blocks Tau Truncation and Restores Excitatory Neurotransmission in Neurons Modeling FTDP-17 Tauopathy. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1549-1557. [PMID: 35522720 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic and cognitive deficits mediated by a severe reduction in excitatory neurotransmission caused by a disproportionate accumulation of the neuronal protein tau in dendritic spines is a fundamental mechanism that has been found repeatedly in models of tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and traumatic brain injury. Synapses thus damaged may contribute to dementia, among the most feared cause of debilitation in the elderly, and currently there are no treatments to repair them. Caspase-2 (Casp2) is an essential component of this pathological cascade. Although it is believed that Casp2 exerts its effects by hydrolyzing tau at aspartate-314, forming Δtau314, it is also possible that a noncatalytic mechanism is involved because catalytically dead Casp2 is biologically active in at least one relevant cellular pathway, that is, autophagy. To decipher whether the pathological effects of Casp2 on synaptic function are due to its catalytic or noncatalytic properties, we discovered and characterized a new Casp2 inhibitor, compound 1 [pKi (Casp2) = 8.12], which is 123-fold selective versus Casp3 and >2000-fold selective versus Casp1, Casp6, Casp7, and Casp9. In an in vitro assay based on Casp2-mediated cleavage of tau, compound 1 blocked the production of Δtau314. Importantly, compound 1 prevented tau from accumulating excessively in dendritic spines and rescued excitatory neurotransmission in cultured primary rat hippocampal neurons expressing the P301S tau variant linked to FTDP-17, a familial tauopathy. These results support the further development of small-molecule Casp2 inhibitors to treat synaptic deficits in tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katherine R. Yao
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jessica M. Strasser
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Chris Hlynialuk
- Department of Neurology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kailee Leinonen-Wright
- Department of Neurology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Peter J. Teravskis
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jessica M. Choquette
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Junaid Ikramuddin
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Merlin Bresinsky
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kathryn M. Nelson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Dezhi Liao
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Karen H. Ashe
- Department of Neurology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, GRECC, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, United States
| | - Michael A. Walters
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Department of Neurology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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17
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Zhang A, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Lenahan C, Xu H, Jiang J, Yuan L, Wang L, Xu Y, Chen S, Fang Y, Zhang J. The Role of Caspase Family in Acute Brain Injury: The Potential Therapeutic Targets in the Future. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1194-1211. [PMID: 34766893 PMCID: PMC9886824 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211111121146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The caspase family is commonly involved in the pathophysiology of acute brain injury (ABI) through complex apoptotic, pyroptotic, and inflammatory pathways. Current translational strategies for caspase modulation in ABI primarily focus on caspase inhibitors. Because there are no caspase-inhibiting drugs approved for clinical use on the market, the development of caspase inhibitors remains an attractive challenge for researchers and clinicians. Therefore, we conducted the present review with the aim of providing a comprehensive introduction of caspases in ABI. In this review, we summarized the available evidence and potential mechanisms regarding the biological function of caspases. We also reviewed the therapeutic effects of caspase inhibitors on ABI and its subsequent complications. However, various important issues remain unclear, prompting further verification of the efficacy and safety regarding clinical application of caspase inhibitors. We believe that our work will be helpful to further understand the critical role of the caspase family and will provide novel therapeutic potential for ABI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Yibo Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Cameron Lenahan
- Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA;
| | - Houshi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China;
| | | | | | | | - Yuanzhi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China;
| | - Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China;
| | - Yuanjian Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; ,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; E-mail:
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; ,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; E-mail:
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18
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Sánchez KE, Rosenberg GA. Shared Inflammatory Pathology of Stroke and COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5150. [PMID: 35563537 PMCID: PMC9101120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Though COVID-19 is primarily characterized by symptoms in the periphery, it can also affect the central nervous system (CNS). This has been established by the association between stroke and COVID-19. However, the molecular mechanisms that cause stroke related to a COVID-19 infection have not been fully explored. More specifically, stroke and COVID-19 exhibit an overlap of molecular mechanisms. These similarities provide a way to better understand COVID-19 related stroke. We propose here that peripheral macrophages upregulate inflammatory proteins such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. These inflammatory molecules and the SARS-CoV-2 virus have multiple negative effects related to endothelial dysfunction that results in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Finally, we discuss how the endothelial blood-brain barrier injury alters central nervous system function by leading to astrocyte dysfunction and inflammasome activation. Our goal is to elucidate such inflammatory pathways, which could provide insight into therapies to combat the negative neurological effects of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Sánchez
- Center for Memory and Aging, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA;
| | - Gary A. Rosenberg
- Center for Memory and Aging, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA;
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
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19
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Tan MS, Liu Y, Hu H, Tan CC, Tan L. Inhibition of caspase-1 ameliorates tauopathy and rescues cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:1197-1205. [PMID: 35143023 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-00914-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The inflammasome assembles leading to increased cleavage and activity of caspase-1 and downstream IL-1β release, which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that caspase-1-mediated neuroinflammation occurs early in AD process. However, the detailed role of caspase-1 in aging-related AD-like neuropathology is still unclear so far. In this study, by using SAMP8 mice, an animal model of accelerated aging, we detected the levels of caspase-1 in brains of 3-, 7-, and 11-month-old mice and observed that caspase-1 was activated during aging process. More importantly, we provided the evidence that VX-765, a selective inhibitor of caspase-1, significantly rescued spatial learning and memory impairments and reduced tau hyperphosphorylation in brains of SAMP8 mice at early stages of the disease. This amelioration might be attributed to IL-1β-induced hypoactivation of tau kinases. Our results imply that caspase-1 may represent as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Shan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen-Chen Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Li C, Lin H, He H, Ma M, Jiang W, Zhou R. Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Manoalide Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Pathogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:822236. [PMID: 35252186 PMCID: PMC8888861 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.822236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome leads to cell pyroptosis and inflammatory cytokines secretion and gets involved in the development of many diseases, such as neuroinflammation and metabolic syndrome, but the drugs targeting NLRP3 are not clinically available for now. Through screening the small molecule library, we found that manoalide is a highly selective small molecule inhibitor of NLRP3. Mechanismly, manoalide inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation by acting downstream of potassium efflux, chloride efflux and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, manoalide blocked the interaction between NEK7 and NLRP3 by covalently binding to Lys 377 of the NLRP3 protein. Treatment of manoalide relieved the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. Thus, our results identify manoalide as a selective and covalent NLRP3 inhibitor and suggest it has the potential for the treatment of NLRP3-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hualong Lin
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hongbin He
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ming Ma
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rongbin Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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21
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Naturally occurring deamidated triosephosphate isomerase is a promising target for cell-selective therapy in cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4028. [PMID: 35256749 PMCID: PMC8901631 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08051-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Human triosephosphate isomerase (HsTIM) is a central glycolytic enzyme and is overexpressed in cancer cells with accelerated glycolysis. Triple-negative breast cancer is highly dependent on glycolysis and is typically treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Deamidated HsTIM was recently proposed as a druggable target. Although thiol-reactive drugs affect cell growth in deamidated HsTIM-complemented cells, the role of this protein as a selective target has not been demonstrated. To delve into the usefulness of deamidated HsTIM as a selective target, we assessed its natural accumulation in breast cancer cells. We found that deamidated HsTIM accumulates in breast cancer cells but not in noncancerous cells. The cancer cells are selectively programmed to undergo cell death with thiol-reactive drugs that induced the production of methylglyoxal (MGO) and advanced glycation-end products (AGEs). In vivo, a thiol-reactive drug effectively inhibits the growth of xenograft tumors with an underlying mechanism involving deamidated HsTIM. Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of deamidated HsTIM as target to develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers and other pathologies in which this post translationally modified protein accumulates.
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22
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Huda S, Chau B, Chen C, Somal H, Chowdhury N, Cirillo N. Caspase Inhibition as a Possible Therapeutic Strategy for Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020314. [PMID: 35205180 PMCID: PMC8869094 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially fatal disease characterised by blister formation affecting the skin and mouth. The mechanisms of blister formation may involve a biological process called apoptosis—a type of cell death—and some death-associated molecules known as caspases. Our review of the existing literature shows that caspase inhibitors exhibit an inhibitory effect on PV-induced apoptosis formation in vitro. In particular, activity of caspase 1 and caspase 3 is essential for the development of PV in vitro and in vivo. However, a majority of in vivo studies assessing caspase inhibition in PV models have a high risk of bias. Abstract Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an IgG-mediated autoimmune disease characterised by epithelial cell–cell detachment (acantholysis) resulting in mucocutaneous blistering. The exact pathogenesis of blister formation is unknown and this has hampered the development of non-steroidal, mechanism-based treatments for this autoimmune disease. This systematic review aims to investigate the role of caspases in the pathogenesis of PV to inform the choice of more targeted therapeutic agents. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted to identify eligible studies. Multiple phases of inclusion and exclusion of the primary articles were conducted in pairs, and studies were recorded and analysed according to the latest version of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Risk of bias assessment was conducted for extracted in vivo animal intervention studies using SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool. Results: Eight articles from a total of 2338 in vitro, in vivo, and human studies met the inclusion criteria, with a high degree of inter-rater reliability. By and large, the results show that caspase activation was pathogenic in experimental PV because pan-caspase inhibitors could block or reduce PV acantholysis and blistering in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The pathogenic pathways identified involved caspase-1 and caspase-3. One study failed to show any improvement in the PV model with a caspase inhibitor. The majority of animal studies had high or unclear risk of bias. Conclusion: There are consistent data pointing towards a pathogenic role of caspase activation in PV acantholysis. However, high-quality evidence to confirm that caspase inhibition can prevent PV-induced blistering in vivo is limited. Therefore, further research is required to test the preclinical efficacy of caspase inhibitors in PV.
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23
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Bresinsky M, Strasser JM, Vallaster B, Liu P, McCue WM, Fuller J, Hubmann A, Singh G, Nelson KM, Cuellar ME, Wilmot CM, Finzel BC, Ashe KH, Walters MA, Pockes S. Structure-Based Design and Biological Evaluation of Novel Caspase-2 Inhibitors Based on the Peptide AcVDVAD-CHO and the Caspase-2-Mediated Tau Cleavage Sequence YKPVD314. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:20-40. [PMID: 35059567 PMCID: PMC8762753 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first described by Alois Alzheimer over 100 years ago, but there is still no overarching theory that can explain its cause in detail. There are also no effective therapies to treat either the cause or the associated symptoms of this devastating disease. A potential approach to better understand the pathogenesis of AD could be the development of selective caspase-2 (Casp2) probes, as we have shown that a Casp2-mediated cleavage product of tau (Δtau314) reversibly impairs cognitive and synaptic function in animal models of tauopathies. In this article, we map out the Casp2 binding site through the preparation and assay of a series of 35 pentapeptide inhibitors with the goal of gaining selectivity against caspase-3 (Casp3). We also employed computational docking methods to understand the key interactions in the binding pocket of Casp2 and the differences predicted for binding at Casp3. Moreover, we crystallographically characterized the binding of selected pentapeptides with Casp3. Furthermore, we engineered and expressed a series of recombinant tau mutants and investigated them in an in vitro cleavage assay. These studies resulted in simple peptidic inhibitors with nanomolar affinity, for example, AcVDV(Dab)D-CHO (24) with up to 27.7-fold selectivity against Casp3. Our findings provide a good basis for the future development of selective Casp2 probes and inhibitors that can serve as pharmacological tools in planned in vivo studies and as lead compounds for the design of bioavailable and more drug-like small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Bresinsky
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Jessica M. Strasser
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Bernadette Vallaster
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Peng Liu
- Department
of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis 55455, United States
| | - William M. McCue
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Jessica Fuller
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Alexander Hubmann
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Gurpreet Singh
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Nelson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Matthew E. Cuellar
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Carrie M. Wilmot
- Department
of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Barry C. Finzel
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Karen H. Ashe
- Department
of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis 55455, United States
| | - Michael A. Walters
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States,
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany,Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States,Department
of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis 55455, United States,
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24
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Charan HV, Dwivedi DK, Khan S, Jena G. Mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated hepatic stellate cell activation: therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis. Genes Dis 2022; 10:480-494. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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25
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Theobald SJ, Gräb J, Fritsch M, Suárez I, Eisfeld HS, Winter S, Koch M, Hölscher C, Pasparakis M, Kashkar H, Rybniker J. Gasdermin D mediates host cell death but not interleukin-1β secretion in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:327. [PMID: 34718331 PMCID: PMC8557205 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00716-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotic cell death represents a major pathogenic mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. It is increasingly evident that Mtb induces several types of regulated necrosis but how these are interconnected and linked to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines remains unknown. Exploiting a clinical cohort of tuberculosis patients, we show here that the number and size of necrotic lesions correlates with IL-1β plasma levels as a strong indicator of inflammasome activation. Our mechanistic studies reveal that Mtb triggers mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) and subsequently extensive macrophage necrosis, which requires activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3-driven mitochondrial damage is dependent on proteolytic activation of the pore-forming effector protein gasdermin D (GSDMD), which links two distinct cell death machineries. Intriguingly, GSDMD, but not the membranolytic mycobacterial ESX-1 secretion system, is dispensable for IL-1β secretion from Mtb-infected macrophages. Thus, our study dissects a novel mechanism of pathogen-induced regulated necrosis by identifying mitochondria as central regulatory hubs capable of delineating cytokine secretion and lytic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian J Theobald
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jessica Gräb
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Melanie Fritsch
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene (IMMIH), University of Cologne, 50935, Cologne, Germany
| | - Isabelle Suárez
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hannah S Eisfeld
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sandra Winter
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maximilian Koch
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Hölscher
- Division of Infection Immunology, Research Center Borstel, 23845, Borstel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Borstel, 23845, Borstel, Germany
| | - Manolis Pasparakis
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hamid Kashkar
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene (IMMIH), University of Cologne, 50935, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Rybniker
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany. .,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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26
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Dhani S, Zhao Y, Zhivotovsky B. A long way to go: caspase inhibitors in clinical use. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:949. [PMID: 34654807 PMCID: PMC8519909 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Caspases are an evolutionary conserved family of cysteine-dependent proteases that are involved in many vital cellular processes including apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation and inflammatory response. Dysregulation of caspase-mediated apoptosis and inflammation has been linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases such as inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Multiple caspase inhibitors have been designed and synthesized as a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of cell death-related pathologies. However, only a few have progressed to clinical trials because of the consistent challenges faced amongst the different types of caspase inhibitors used for the treatment of the various pathologies, namely an inadequate efficacy, poor target specificity, or adverse side effects. Importantly, a large proportion of this failure lies in the lack of understanding various caspase functions. To overcome the current challenges, further studies on understanding caspase function in a disease model is a fundamental requirement to effectively develop their inhibitors as a treatment for the different pathologies. Therefore, the present review focuses on the descriptive properties and characteristics of caspase inhibitors known to date, and their therapeutic application in animal and clinical studies. In addition, a brief discussion on the achievements, and current challenges faced, are presented in support to providing more perspectives for further development of successful therapeutic caspase inhibitors for various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanel Dhani
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yun Zhao
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
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27
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Strategies to Improve the Efficiency of Transplantation with Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Recent Progress. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:9929128. [PMID: 34490053 PMCID: PMC8418553 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9929128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia is a common global disease that is characterized by a loss of neurological function and a poor prognosis in many patients. However, only a limited number of treatments are available for this condition at present. Given that the efficacies of these treatments tend to be poor, cerebral ischemia can create a significant burden on patients, families, and society. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation treatment has shown significant potential in animal models of ischemic stroke; however, the specific mechanisms underlying this effect have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, clinical trials have yet to yield promising results. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify new methods to improve the efficiency of MSC transplantation as an optimal treatment for ischemic stroke. In this review, we provide an overview of recent scientific reports concerning novel strategies that promote MSC transplantation as an effective therapeutic approach, including physical approaches, chemical agents, traditional Chinese medicines and extracts, and genetic modification. Our analyses showed that two key factors need to be considered if we are to improve the efficacy of MSC transplantation treatments: survival ability and homing ability. We also highlight the importance of other significant mechanisms, including the enhanced activation of MSCs to promote neurogenesis and angiogenesis, and the regulation of permeability in the blood-brain barrier. Further in-depth investigations of the specific mechanisms underlying MSC transplantation treatment will help us to identify effective methods that improve the efficiency of MSC transplantation for ischemic stroke. The development of safer and more effective methods will facilitate the application of MSC transplantation as a promising adjuvant therapy for the treatment of poststroke brain damage.
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28
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Burdette BE, Esparza AN, Zhu H, Wang S. Gasdermin D in pyroptosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2768-2782. [PMID: 34589396 PMCID: PMC8463274 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyroptosis is the process of inflammatory cell death. The primary function of pyroptosis is to induce strong inflammatory responses that defend the host against microbe infection. Excessive pyroptosis, however, leads to several inflammatory diseases, including sepsis and autoimmune disorders. Pyroptosis can be canonical or noncanonical. Upon microbe infection, the canonical pathway responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), while the noncanonical pathway responds to intracellular lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria. The last step of pyroptosis requires the cleavage of gasdermin D (GsdmD) at D275 (numbering after human GSDMD) into N- and C-termini by caspase 1 in the canonical pathway and caspase 4/5/11 (caspase 4/5 in humans, caspase 11 in mice) in the noncanonical pathway. Upon cleavage, the N-terminus of GsdmD (GsdmD-N) forms a transmembrane pore that releases cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 and disturbs the regulation of ions and water, eventually resulting in strong inflammation and cell death. Since GsdmD is the effector of pyroptosis, promising inhibitors of GsdmD have been developed for inflammatory diseases. This review will focus on the roles of GsdmD during pyroptosis and in diseases.
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Key Words
- 7DG, 7-desacetoxy-6,7-dehydrogedunin
- ADRA2B, α-2B adrenergic receptor
- AIM, absent in melanoma
- ASC, associated speck-like protein
- Ac-FLTD-CMK, acetyl-FLTD-chloromethylketone
- BMDM, bone marrow-derived macrophages
- CARD, caspase activation
- CD, Crohn’s disease
- CTM, Chinese traditional medicine
- CTSG, cathepsin G
- Caspase
- DAMP, damage-associated molecular pattern
- DFNA5, deafness autosomal dominant 5
- DFNB59, deafness autosomal recessive type 59
- DKD, diabetic kidney disease
- DMF, dimethyl fumarate
- Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)
- ELANE, neutrophil expressed elastase
- ESCRT, endosomal sorting complexes required for transport
- FADD, FAS-associated death domain
- FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FIIND, function to find domain
- FMF, familial Mediterranean fever
- GI, gastrointestinal
- GPX, glutathione peroxidase
- Gasdermin
- GsdmA/B/C/D/E, gasdermin A/B/C/D/E
- HAMP, homeostasis altering molecular pattern
- HIN, hematopoietic expression, interferon-inducible nature, and nuclear localization
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- HMGB1, high mobility group protein B1
- IBD, inflammatory bowel disease
- IFN, interferon
- ITPR1, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1
- Inflammasome
- Inflammation
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- LRR, leucine-rich repeat
- MAP3K7, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7
- MCC950, N-[[(1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-s-indacen-4-yl)amino]carbonyl]-4-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-furansulfonamide
- NAIP, NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein
- NBD, nucleotide-binding domain
- NEK7, NIMA-related kinase 7
- NET, neutrophil extracellular trap
- NIK, NF-κB inducing kinase
- NLR, NOD-like receptor
- NLRP, NLR family pyrin domain containing
- NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- NSP, neutrophil specific serine protease
- PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular pattern
- PKA, protein kinase A
- PKN1/2, protein kinase1/2
- PKR, protein kinase-R
- PRR, pattern recognition receptors
- PYD, pyrin domain
- Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)
- Pyroptosis
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- STING, stimulator of interferon genes
- Sepsis
- TLR, Toll-like receptor
- UC, ulcerative colitis
- cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate
- cGAS, cyclic GMP–AMP synthase
- mtDNA, mitochondrial DNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon E. Burdette
- Biology Department, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA
| | - Ashley N. Esparza
- Biology Department, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Surgery, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Shanzhi Wang
- Biology Department, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA
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29
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Popov SV, Maslov LN, Naryzhnaya NV, Mukhomezyanov AV, Krylatov AV, Tsibulnikov SY, Ryabov VV, Cohen MV, Downey JM. The Role of Pyroptosis in Ischemic and Reperfusion Injury of the Heart. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2021; 26:562-574. [PMID: 34264787 DOI: 10.1177/10742484211027405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
While ischemia itself can kill heart muscle, much of the infarction after a transient period of coronary artery occlusion has been found to result from injury during reperfusion. Here we review the role of inflammation and possible pyroptosis in myocardial reperfusion injury. Current evidence suggests pyroptosis's contribution to infarction may be considerable. Pyroptosis occurs when inflammasomes activate caspases that in turn cleave off an N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D. This active fragment makes large pores in the cell membrane thus killing the cell. Inhibition of inflammation enhances cardiac tolerance to ischemia and reperfusion injury. Stimulation of the purinergic P2X7 receptor and the β-adrenergic receptor and activation of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) by toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are all known to contribute to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) cardiac injury through inflammation, potentially by pyroptosis. In contrast, stimulation of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor reduces I/R cardiac injury and inhibits this pathway. MicroRNAs, Akt, the phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome 10 protein (PTEN), pyruvate dehydrogenase and sirtuin-1 reportedly modulate inflammation in cardiomyocytes during I/R. Cryopyrin and caspase-1/4 inhibitors are reported to increase cardiac tolerance to ischemic and reperfusion cardiac injury, presumably by suppressing inflammasome-dependent inflammation. The ambiguity surrounding the role of pyroptosis in reperfusion injury arises because caspase-1 also activates cytotoxic interleukins and proteolytically degrades a surprisingly large number of cytosolic enzymes in addition to activating gasdermin D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey V Popov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Leonid N Maslov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Natalia V Naryzhnaya
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Alexandr V Mukhomezyanov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Andrey V Krylatov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Sergey Y Tsibulnikov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Vyacheslav V Ryabov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Michael V Cohen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, 12214University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - James M Downey
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, 12214University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL, USA
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30
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Therapeutic potential of the target on NLRP3 inflammasome in multiple sclerosis. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 227:107880. [PMID: 33901504 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are multi-protein macromolecular complexes that typically comprise of three units, a sensor, an adaptor and procaspase-1. The assembly of each inflammasome is dictated by a unique pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or other endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the cytosol of the host cells, and promote the maturation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 during the inflammatory process. Specific inflammasomes are involved in the host defense response against different pathogens, and the latter have evolved multiple corresponding mechanisms to inhibit inflammasome activation. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the best understood in terms of molecular mechanisms, and is a promising therapeutic target in immune-related disorders. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory demyelination of white matter in the central nervous system, increased levels of IL-1β in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of relapsed patients, and deposition of caspase-1 in the spinal cord. The direct involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the occurrence and development of MS was ascertained in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model. In this review, we have focused on the mechanisms underlying activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in MS or EAE, as well as inhibitors that specifically target the complex and alleviate disease progression, in order to unearth new therapeutic strategies against MS.
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31
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Liang Y, Song P, Chen W, Xie X, Luo R, Su J, Zhu Y, Xu J, Liu R, Zhu P, Zhang Y, Huang M. Inhibition of Caspase-1 Ameliorates Ischemia-Associated Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction and Integrity by Suppressing Pyroptosis Activation. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:540669. [PMID: 33584203 PMCID: PMC7874210 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.540669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic cerebral infarction represents a significant cause of disability and death worldwide. Caspase-1 is activated by the NLRP3/ASC pathway and inflammasomes, thus triggering pyroptosis, a programmed cell death. In particular, this death is mediated by gasdermin D (GSDMD), which induces secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Accordingly, inhibition of caspase-1 prevents the development and worsening of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is not clear whether inhibition of caspase-1 can preserve blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity following cerebral infarction. This study therefore aimed at understanding the effect of caspase-1 on BBB dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Our findings in rat models revealed that expression of caspase-1 was upregulated following MCAO-induced injury in rats. Consequently, pharmacologic inhibition of caspase-1 using vx-765 ameliorated ischemia-induced infarction, neurological deficits, and neuronal injury. Furthermore, inhibition of caspase-1 enhanced the encapsulation rate of pericytes at the ischemic edge, decreased leakage of both Evans Blue (EB) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) proteins, and upregulated the levels of tight junctions (TJs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in MCAO-injured rats. This in turn improved the permeability of the BBB. Meanwhile, vx-765 blocked the activation of ischemia-induced pyroptosis and reduced the expression level of inflammatory factors such as caspase-1, NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18. Similarly, vx-765 treatment significantly reduced the expression levels of inflammation-related receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), high-mobility family box 1 (HMGB1), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Evidently, inhibition of caspase-1 significantly improves ischemia-associated BBB permeability and integrity by suppressing pyroptosis activation and the RAGE/MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Liang
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China.,Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pingping Song
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuemin Xie
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rixin Luo
- Department of Stroke Center, GuangZhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiehua Su
- Department of Neurology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yunhui Zhu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Xu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongrong Liu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peizhi Zhu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Neurology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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32
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Flores J, Noël A, Foveau B, Beauchet O, LeBlanc AC. Pre-symptomatic Caspase-1 inhibitor delays cognitive decline in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease and aging. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4571. [PMID: 32917871 PMCID: PMC7486940 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18405-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Early therapeutic interventions are essential to prevent Alzheimer Disease (AD). The association of several inflammation-related genetic markers with AD and the early activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in AD suggest inflammation as a plausible therapeutic target. Inflammatory Caspase-1 has a significant impact on AD-like pathophysiology and Caspase-1 inhibitor, VX-765, reverses cognitive deficits in AD mouse models. Here, a one-month pre-symptomatic treatment of Swedish/Indiana mutant amyloid precursor protein (APPSw/Ind) J20 and wild-type mice with VX-765 delays both APPSw/Ind- and age-induced episodic and spatial memory deficits. VX-765 delays inflammation without considerably affecting soluble and aggregated amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) levels. Episodic memory scores correlate negatively with microglial activation. These results suggest that Caspase-1-mediated inflammation occurs early in the disease and raise hope that VX-765, a previously Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for human CNS clinical trials, may be a useful drug to prevent the onset of cognitive deficits and brain inflammation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Flores
- Bloomfield Center for Research in Aging, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anastasia Noël
- Bloomfield Center for Research in Aging, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bénédicte Foveau
- Bloomfield Center for Research in Aging, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olivier Beauchet
- Bloomfield Center for Research in Aging, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andréa C LeBlanc
- Bloomfield Center for Research in Aging, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. .,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Wang Y, Zhao S, Chen Y, Wang Y, Wang T, Wo X, Dong Y, Zhang J, Xu W, Qu C, Feng X, Wu X, Wang Y, Zhong Z, Zhao W. N-Acetyl cysteine effectively alleviates Coxsackievirus B-Induced myocarditis through suppressing viral replication and inflammatory response. Antiviral Res 2020; 179:104699. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Abstract
The NLRP3 inflammasome may contribute to infarct development during acute cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Because infarct size strongly correlates with the degree of heart failure in the long term, therapies that reduce reperfusion injury are still needed as first primary care against heart failure development. Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome is currently viewed as such a potential therapy. However, previous research studies directed at inhibition of various inflammatory pathways in acute cardiac IR injury were often disappointing. This is because inflammation is a double-edged sword, detrimental when hyperactive, but beneficial at lower activity, with activity critically dependent on time of reperfusion and cellular location. Moreover, several inflammatory mediators can also mediate cardioprotective signaling. It is reasonable that this also applies to the NLRP3 inflammasome, although current literature has mainly focused on its detrimental effects in the context of acute cardiac IR. Therefore, in this review, we focus on beneficial, cardioprotective properties of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its components NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. The results show that (1) NLRP3 deficiency prevents cardioprotection in isolated heart by ischemic preconditioning and in vivo heart by TLR2 activation, associated with impaired STAT3 or Akt signaling, respectively; (2) ASC deficiency also prevents in vivo TLR2-mediated protection; and (3) caspase-1 inhibition results in decreased infarction but impaired protection through the Akt pathway during mild ischemic insults. In conclusion, the NLRP3 inflammasome is not only detrimental, it can also be involved in cardioprotective signaling, thus fueling the future challenge to acquire a full understanding of NLRP3 inflammasome role in cardiac IR before embarking on clinical trials using NLRP3 inhibitors.
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Bibo-Verdugo B, Snipas SJ, Kolt S, Poreba M, Salvesen GS. Extended subsite profiling of the pyroptosis effector protein gasdermin D reveals a region recognized by inflammatory caspase-11. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:11292-11302. [PMID: 32554464 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyroptosis is the caspase-dependent inflammatory cell death mechanism that underpins the innate immune response against pathogens and is dysregulated in inflammatory disorders. Pyroptosis occurs via two pathways: the canonical pathway, signaled by caspase-1, and the noncanonical pathway, regulated by mouse caspase-11 and human caspase-4/5. All inflammatory caspases activate the pyroptosis effector protein gasdermin D, but caspase-1 mostly activates the inflammatory cytokine precursors prointerleukin-18 and prointerleukin-1β (pro-IL18/pro-IL1β). Here, in vitro cleavage assays with recombinant proteins confirmed that caspase-11 prefers cleaving gasdermin D over the pro-ILs. However, we found that caspase-11 recognizes protein substrates through a mechanism that is different from that of most caspases. Results of kinetics analysis with synthetic fluorogenic peptides indicated that P1'-P4', the C-terminal gasdermin D region adjacent to the cleavage site, influences gasdermin D recognition by caspase-11. Furthermore, introducing the gasdermin D P1'-P4' region into pro-IL18 enhanced catalysis by caspase-11 to levels comparable with that of gasdermin D cleavage. Pro-IL1β cleavage was only moderately enhanced by similar substitutions. We conclude that caspase-11 specificity is mediated by the P1'-P4' region in its substrate gasdermin D, and similar experiments confirmed that the substrate specificities of the human orthologs of caspase-11, i.e. caspase-4 and caspase-5, are ruled by the same mechanism. We propose that P1'-P4'-based inhibitors could be exploited to specifically target inflammatory caspases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott J Snipas
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sonia Kolt
- Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Poreba
- Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Guy S Salvesen
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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Sun Z, Gu L, Wu K, Wang K, Ru J, Yang S, Wang Z, Zhuge Q, Huang L, Huang S. VX-765 enhances autophagy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells against stroke-induced apoptosis and inflammatory responses via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. CNS Neurosci Ther 2020; 26:952-961. [PMID: 32459063 PMCID: PMC7415204 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To investigate the protective effect of VX-765 on human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) in stroke and its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mouse models of ischemic stroke were established using the distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) method. The dMCAO mice were accordingly transplanted with HUMSCs, VX-765-treated HUMSCs, or VX-765 + MHY185-treated HUMSCs. The HUMSCs were inserted with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for measurement of transplantation efficiency which was determined by immunofluorescence assay. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was applied to mimic ischemic environment in vitro experiments, and the HUMSCs herein were transfected with AMPK inhibitor Compound C or autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. MTT assay was used to test the toxicity of VX-765. TUNEL staining and ELISA were applied to measure the levels of apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), respectively. The expressions of autophagy-associated proteins, AMPK, and mTOR were detected by Western blotting. TTC staining was applied to reveal the infarct lesions in the brain of dMCAO mice. RESULTS The pro-inflammatory cytokines, TUNEL-positive cells, and p-mTOR were decreased while the anti-inflammatory cytokine, autophagy-related proteins, and p-AMPK were increased in HUMSCs treated with VX-765 under OGD condition. Different expression patterns were found with the above factors after transfection of 3-MA or Compound C. The pro-inflammatory cytokines, TUNEL-positive cells, and infarct sections were decreased while the anti-inflammatory cytokine and autophagy-related proteins were increased in dMCAO mice transplanted with VX-765-treated HUMSCs compared to those transplanted with HUMSCs only. The autophagy was inhibited while p-mTOR was up-regulated after transfection of MHY. CONCLUSION VX-765 protects HUMSCs against stroke-induced apoptosis and inflammatory responses by activating autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhezhe Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lei Gu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ke Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kankai Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Junnan Ru
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Su Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yuyao people's Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Qichuan Zhuge
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lijie Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shengwei Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Kumi RO, Soremekun OS, Issahaku AR, Agoni C, Olotu FA, Soliman MES. Exploring the ring potential of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives towards the identification of novel caspase-1 inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease therapy. J Mol Model 2020; 26:68. [PMID: 32130533 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-4319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory activation of caspase-1 in the neurodegenerative pathway has been associated with age-dependent cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in humans. A recent report highlighted 2,4-diaminopyrimidine ring as an essential fragment in the inhibition of human caspase-1. However, the role of the ring and its enzyme inhibitory mechanism is not thoroughly investigated at the molecular level. The purpose of this study is therefore in twofold: (1) to understand the enzyme binding mechanism of the 2,4-diaminopyrimidine ring and (2) to search for more potent caspase-1 inhibitors that contain the ring, using integrative per-residue energy decomposition (PRED) pharmacophore modeling. Ligand interaction profile of a reference compound revealed a peculiar hydrogen formation of the amino group of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine with active site residue Arg341, possibly forming the bases for its inhibitory prowess against caspase-1. A generated pharmacophore model for structure-based virtual screening identified compounds, ZINC724667, ZINC09908119, and ZINC09933770, as potential caspase-1 inhibitors that possessed desirable pharmacokinetic and physiochemical properties. Further analyses revealed active site residues, Arg179, Ser236, Cys285, Gln283, Ser339, and Arg341, as crucial to inhibitor binding by stabilizing and forming hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic, and pi-pi interactions with the 2,4-diaminopyrimidine rings. Common interaction patterns of the hits could have accounted for their selective and high-affinity ligand binding, which was characterized by notable disruptions in caspase-1 structural architecture. These compounds could further be explored as potential leads in the development of novel caspase-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ransford Oduro Kumi
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Opeyemi S Soremekun
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Abdul Rashid Issahaku
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Clement Agoni
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Fisayo A Olotu
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E S Soliman
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
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Nowak KL, Edelstein CL. Apoptosis and autophagy in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Cell Signal 2019; 68:109518. [PMID: 31881325 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.109518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis in the cystic epithelium is observed in most rodent models of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and in human autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD). Apoptosis inhibition decreases cyst growth, whereas induction of apoptosis in the kidney of Bcl-2 deficient mice increases proliferation of the tubular epithelium and subsequent cyst formation. However, alternative evidence indicates that both induction of apoptosis as well as increased overall rates of apoptosis are associated with decreased cyst growth. Autophagic flux is suppressed in cell, zebra fish and mouse models of PKD and suppressed autophagy is known to be associated with increased apoptosis. There may be a link between apoptosis and autophagy in PKD. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and caspase pathways that are known to be dysregulated in PKD, are also known to regulate both autophagy and apoptosis. Induction of autophagy in cell and zebrafish models of PKD results in suppression of apoptosis and reduced cyst growth supporting the hypothesis autophagy induction may have a therapeutic role in decreasing cyst growth, perhaps by decreasing apoptosis and proliferation in PKD. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of direct autophagy inducers on apoptosis in rodent PKD models, as well as the cause and effect relationship between autophagy, apoptosis and cyst growth in PKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Nowak
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Charles L Edelstein
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Haque ME, Akther M, Jakaria M, Kim IS, Azam S, Choi DK. Targeting the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome and its role in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord 2019; 35:20-33. [PMID: 31680318 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive activation of microglia and subsequent release of proinflammatory cytokines play a crucial role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Components of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome complex, leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3, caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, are highly expressed in activated microglia in PD patient brains. Findings suggest that neurotoxins, aggregation of α-synuclein, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and disrupted mitophagy are the key regulators of microglial leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome activation and release of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 caspase-1-mediated pyroptotic cell death in the substantia nigra of the brain. Although this evidence suggests the leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome may be a potential drug target for treatment of PD, the exact mechanism of how the microglia sense these stimuli and initiate leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome signaling is unknown. Here, the molecular mechanism and regulation of microglial leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome activation and its role in the pathogenesis of PD are discussed. Moreover, the potential of both endogenous and synthetic leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome modulators, long noncoding RNA, microRNA to develop novel therapeutics to treat PD is presented. Overall, we recommend that the microglial leucine-rich-repeat- and pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome can be a potential target for PD treatment. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ezazul Haque
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mahbuba Akther
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Jakaria
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Integrated Bioscience & Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, and Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea.,Department of Integrated Bioscience & Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, and Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
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Caspase-1 involves in bilirubin-induced injury of cultured rat cortical neurons. Pediatr Res 2019; 86:492-499. [PMID: 31195405 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bilirubin encephalopathy, the most serious complication of hyperbilirubinemia during the neonatal period, with high mortality and morbidity, often causes irreversible neurological damage. Currently, caspase-1, a member of the cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease caspase family, is regarded as a key mediator of inflammatory processes, attracting widespread attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether caspase-1 is involved in bilirubin-induced neuronal injury. METHODS VX-765, a highly potent and selective inhibitor of caspase-1, was used to investigate the effects of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) on rat cortical neurons, including cell viability, morphological changes in the cell membrane, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. RESULTS Neurons treated with UCB showed increased caspase-1 activity without the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and caspase-1 was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with VX-765. The cell viability of the VX-765-pretreated neurons was improved, and cell membrane rupture was prevented, as detected by lactate dehydrogenase release and ethidium bromide uptake. Moreover, NF-κB activation by UCB exposure, was attenuated by VX-765 pretreatment. CONCLUSION Bilirubin-induced neuronal injury involves the activation of caspase-1 and NF-κB, leading to membrane leakage, independently of IL-1β and IL-18.
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41
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Coptisine from Coptis chinensis blocks NLRP3 inflammasome activation by inhibiting caspase-1. Pharmacol Res 2019; 147:104348. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Li Q, Dai Z, Cao Y, Wang L. Caspase-1 inhibition mediates neuroprotection in experimental stroke by polarizing M2 microglia/macrophage and suppressing NF-κB activation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 513:479-485. [PMID: 30979498 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.03.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is a life-threatening neurological disease with limited therapeutic options. Inflammation is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and contribute to the degree of brain injury. Vx-765 is a potent, selective, small-molecule caspase-1 inhibitor. Current studies have shown the anti-inflammatory properties of vx-765 in various disease; however, the impact of vx-765 on the ischemic stroke is still unclear. In the present study, we determine the neuroprotective effect of vx-765 in mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We found that caspase-1 inhibition by administration of vx-765 ameliorated cerebral injury in mice after ischemic stroke by reducing infarct volume and ameliorating the neurological deficits. Mechanistically, we showed that the contribution of vx-765 to ischemic injuries may be associated with reducing microglial activation, and downregulating the production of associated pro inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS, as well as upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-β and YM-1. Additionally, vx-765 altered the phenotype of microglia via switching the microglia polarization toward M2 phenotype, as demonstrably related to inhibition of the NF-κB activation. Our findings indicate that vx-765 protects against MCAO injury and attenuated microglia mediated neuroinflammation primarily by shifting microglia polarization from M1 phenotype toward M2 phenotype. Vx-765 might be a potential therapeutic drug for ameliorating ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Zhenguo Dai
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Yuze Cao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China.
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Chen Z, Jiang S, Wang H, Wang L, Wei D. Switching the regioselectivity of two nitrilases toward succinonitrile by mutating the active center pocket key residues through a semi-rational engineering. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:2948-2951. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cc10110h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Alteration of two key residues in two nitrilases switched their regioselectivity, which lays the foundation for future work on regioselective nitrilase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- New World Institute of Biotechnology
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Shuiqing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- New World Institute of Biotechnology
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Hualei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- New World Institute of Biotechnology
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Liuzhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- New World Institute of Biotechnology
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Dongzhi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- New World Institute of Biotechnology
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
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Caspase-1 inhibition alleviates cognitive impairment and neuropathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3916. [PMID: 30254377 PMCID: PMC6156230 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06449-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an intractable progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive decline and dementia. An inflammatory neurodegenerative pathway, involving Caspase-1 activation, is associated with human age-dependent cognitive impairment and several classical AD brain pathologies. Here, we show that the nontoxic and blood-brain barrier permeable small molecule Caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 dose-dependently reverses episodic and spatial memory impairment, and hyperactivity in the J20 mouse model of AD. Cessation of VX-765 results in the reappearance of memory deficits in the mice after 1 month and recommencement of treatment re-establishes normal cognition. VX-765 prevents progressive amyloid beta peptide deposition, reverses brain inflammation, and normalizes synaptophysin protein levels in mouse hippocampus. Consistent with these findings, Caspase-1 null J20 mice are protected from episodic and spatial memory deficits, neuroinflammation and Aβ accumulation. These results provide in vivo proof of concept for Caspase-1 inhibition against AD cognitive deficits and pathologies.
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45
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Abstract
Danger signals are a hallmark of many common inflammatory diseases, and these stimuli can function to activate the cytosolic innate immune signalling receptor NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing 3). Once activated, NLRP3 nucleates the assembly of an inflammasome, leading to caspase 1-mediated proteolytic activation of the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) family of cytokines, and induces an inflammatory, pyroptotic cell death. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 activation results in potent therapeutic effects in a wide variety of rodent models of inflammatory diseases, effects that are mirrored by genetic ablation of NLRP3. Although these findings highlight the potential of NLRP3 as a drug target, an understanding of NLRP3 structure and activation mechanisms is incomplete, which has hampered the discovery and development of novel therapeutics against this target. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of NLRP3 activation and regulation, highlight the evolving landscape of NLRP3 modulators and discuss opportunities for pharmacologically targeting NLRP3 with novel small molecules.
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Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a common pathological feature in almost all neurological diseases and is a response triggered as a consequence of the chronic activation of the innate immune response in the CNS against a variety of stimuli, including infection, traumatic brain injury, toxic metabolites, aggregated proteins, or autoimmunity. Crucial mediators of this neurinflammatory process are the intracellular protein complexes known as inflammasomes which can be triggered by pathogens as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). However, chronic inflammasome activation can eventually result in cellular death and tissue damage, leading to the release of DAMPs that can reactivate the inflammasome, thereby propagating a vicious cycle of inflammation. The primary cells involved in CNS inflammasome activation are the immunocompetent microglia and the infiltrating macrophages into the CNS. However, astrocytes and neurons also express inflammasomes, and the understanding of how they are engaged in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological diseases is crucial to develop effective therapeutic approaches for CNS pathologies that are propagated by chronic inflammasome activation. This chapter covers the activation mechanisms of relevant inflammasomes in the brain and summarizes their roles in the pathogenesis and progression of different neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A Albornoz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Trent M Woodruff
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard Gordon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite many advances in epilepsy research, nearly a third of patients with epilepsy have refractory or pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Despite the approval of a dozen antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) over the past decade, there are no agents that halt the development of epilepsy. Thus, newer and better AEDs that can prevent refractory seizures and modify the disease are needed for curing epilepsy. Areas covered: In this article, we highlight the recent advances and emerging trends in new and innovative drugs for epilepsy and seizure disorders. We review in detail top new drugs that are currently in clinical trials or agents that are under development and have novel mechanisms of action. Expert commentary: Among the new agents under clinical investigation, the majority were originally developed for treating other neurological diseases (everolimus, fenfluramine, nalutozan, bumetanide, and valnoctamide); several have mechanisms of action similar to those of conventional AEDs (AP, ganaxolone, and YKP3089); and some new agents represent novel mechanisms of actions (huperzine-A, cannabidiol, tonabersat, and VX-765).
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Affiliation(s)
- Iyan Younus
- a Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine , Texas A&M Health Science Center , Bryan , TX , USA
| | - Doodipala Samba Reddy
- a Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine , Texas A&M Health Science Center , Bryan , TX , USA
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Adriaenssens Y, Jiménez Fernández D, Vande Walle L, Elvas F, Joossens J, Lambeir A, Augustyns K, Lamkanfi M, Van der Veken P. Carboxylate isosteres for caspase inhibitors: the acylsulfonamide case revisited. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:7456-7473. [PMID: 28837200 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob01403a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
As part of an ongoing effort to discover inhibitors of caspase-1 with an optimized selectivity and biopharmaceutical profile, acylsulfonamides were explored as carboxylate isosteres for caspase inhibitors. Acylsulfonamide analogues of the clinically investigated caspase-1 inhibitor VRT-043198 and of the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-CHO were synthesized. The isostere-containing analogues with an aldehyde warhead had inhibitory potencies comparable to the carboxylate references. In addition, the conformational and tautomeric characteristics of these molecules were determined using 1H- and 13C-based NMR. The propensity of acylsulfonamides with an aldehyde warhead to occur in a ring-closed conformation at physiological pH significantly increases the sensitivity to hydrolysis of the acylsulfonamide moiety, yielding the parent carboxylate containing inhibitors. These results indicate that the acylsulfonamide analogues of the aldehyde-based inhibitor VRT-043198 might have potential as a novel type of prodrug for the latter. Finally, inhibition of caspase 1 and 11 mediated inflammation in mouse macrophages was found to correlate with the potencies of the compounds in enzymatic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Adriaenssens
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Caspase-1 causes truncation and aggregation of the Parkinson's disease-associated protein α-synuclein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:9587-92. [PMID: 27482083 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1610099113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of α-synuclein (aSyn) leading to the formation of Lewy bodies is the defining pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rare familial PD-associated mutations in aSyn render it aggregation-prone; however, PD patients carrying wild type (WT) aSyn also have aggregated aSyn in Lewy bodies. The mechanisms by which WT aSyn aggregates are unclear. Here, we report that inflammation can play a role in causing the aggregation of WT aSyn. We show that activation of the inflammasome with known stimuli results in the aggregation of aSyn in a neuronal cell model of PD. The insoluble aggregates are enriched with truncated aSyn as found in Lewy bodies of the PD brain. Inhibition of the inflammasome enzyme caspase-1 by chemical inhibition or genetic knockdown with shRNA abated aSyn truncation. In vitro characterization confirmed that caspase-1 directly cleaves aSyn, generating a highly aggregation-prone species. The truncation-induced aggregation of aSyn is toxic to neuronal culture, and inhibition of caspase-1 by shRNA or a specific chemical inhibitor improved the survival of a neuronal PD cell model. This study provides a molecular link for the role of inflammation in aSyn aggregation, and perhaps in the pathogenesis of sporadic PD as well.
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50
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Herroon MK, Sharma R, Rajagurubandara E, Turro C, Kodanko JJ, Podgorski I. Photoactivated inhibition of cathepsin K in a 3D tumor model. Biol Chem 2016; 397:571-82. [PMID: 26901495 PMCID: PMC5901740 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2015-0274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Collagenolytic activity of cathepsin K is important for many physiological and pathological processes including osteoclast-mediated bone degradation, macrophage function and fibroblast-mediated matrix remodeling. Here, we report application of a light-activated inhibitor for controlling activity of cathepsin K in a 3D functional imaging assay. Using prostate carcinoma cell line engineered to overexpress cathepsin K, we demonstrate the utility of the proteolytic assay in living tumor spheroids for the evaluation and quantification of the inhibitor effects on cathepsin K-mediated collagen I degradation. Importantly, we also show that utilizing the ruthenium-caged version of a potent nitrile cathepsin K inhibitor (4), cis-[Ru(bpy)2(4)2](BF4)2 (5), offers significant advantage in terms of effective concentration of the inhibitor and especially its light-activated control in the 3D assay. Our results suggest that light activation provides a suitable, attractive approach for spatial and temporal control of proteolytic activity, which remains a critical, unmet need in treatment of human diseases, especially cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie K. Herroon
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Rajgopal Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, 5101 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Erandi Rajagurubandara
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Claudia Turro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Kodanko
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, 5101 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48202, USA; and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Izabela Podgorski
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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