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Jiménez-Villegas J, Ferraiuolo L, Mead RJ, Shaw PJ, Cuadrado A, Rojo AI. NRF2 as a therapeutic opportunity to impact in the molecular roadmap of ALS. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 173:125-141. [PMID: 34314817 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating heterogeneous disease with still no convincing therapy. To identify the most strategically significant hallmarks for therapeutic intervention, we have performed a comprehensive transcriptomics analysis of dysregulated pathways, comparing datasets from ALS patients and healthy donors. We have identified crucial alterations in RNA metabolism, intracellular transport, vascular system, redox homeostasis, proteostasis and inflammatory responses. Interestingly, the transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) has significant effects in modulating these pathways. NRF2 has been classically considered as the master regulator of the antioxidant cellular response, although it is currently considered as a key component of the transduction machinery to maintain coordinated control of protein quality, inflammation, and redox homeostasis. Herein, we will summarize the data from NRF2 activators in ALS pre-clinical models as well as those that are being studied in clinical trials. As we will discuss, NRF2 is a promising target to build a coordinated transcriptional response to motor neuron injury, highlighting its therapeutic potential to combat ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jiménez-Villegas
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - L Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - R J Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - A Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - A I Rojo
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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McCarty MF, Lerner A. Nutraceutical induction and mimicry of heme oxygenase activity as a strategy for controlling excitotoxicity in brain trauma and ischemic stroke: focus on oxidative stress. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 21:157-168. [PMID: 33287596 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1861940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury are leading causes of acute mortality, and in the longer run, major causes of significant mental and physical impairment. Most of the brain neuronal cell death in the minutes and hours following an ischemic stroke or brain trauma is mediated by the process of excitotoxicity, in which sustained elevations of extracellular glutamate, reflecting a failure of ATP-dependent mechanism which sequester glutamate in neurons and astrocytes, drive excessive activation of NMDA receptors. Areas covered: A literature search was undertaken to clarify the molecular mechanisms whereby excessive NMDA activation leads to excitotoxic neuronal death, and to determine what safe nutraceutical agents might have practical potential for rescuing at-risk neurons by intervening in these mechanisms. Expert opinion: Activation of both NADPH oxidase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the microenvironment of activated NMDA receptors drives production of superoxide and highly toxic peroxynitrite. This leads to excessive activation of PARP and p38 MAP kinase, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent neuronal death. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction offers protection via inhibition of NADPH oxidase and promotion of cGMP generation. Phase 2-inductive nutraceuticals can induce HO-1, and other nutraceuticals can mimic the effects of its products biliverdin and carbon monoxide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron Lerner
- Technion Israel Institute of Technology Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine- Research, Haifa, Israel (Retired)
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3
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Shah SZA, Zhao D, Hussain T, Sabir N, Mangi MH, Yang L. p62-Keap1-NRF2-ARE Pathway: A Contentious Player for Selective Targeting of Autophagy, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Prion Diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:310. [PMID: 30337853 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00310/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of fatal and debilitating neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animal species. The conversion of a non-pathogenic normal cellular protein (PrPc) into an abnormal infectious, protease-resistant, pathogenic form prion protein scrapie (PrPSc), is considered the etiology of these diseases. PrPSc accumulates in the affected individual's brain in the form of extracellular plaques. The molecular pathways leading to neuronal cell death in prion diseases are still unclear. The free radical damage, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a key role in the pathogenesis of the various neurodegenerative disorders including prion diseases. The brain is very sensitive to changes in the redox status. It has been demonstrated that PrPc behaves as an antioxidant, while the neurotoxic prion peptide PrPSc increases hydrogen peroxide toxicity in the neuronal cultures leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an oxidative responsive pathway and a guardian of lifespan, which protect the cells from free radical stress-mediated cell death. The reduced glutathione, a major small molecule antioxidant present in all mammalian cells, and produced by several downstream target genes of NRF2, counterbalances the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In recent years, it has emerged that the ubiquitin-binding protein, p62-mediated induction of autophagy, is crucial for NRF2 activation and elimination of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The current review article, focuses on the role of NRF2 pathway in prion diseases to mitigate the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Zahid Ali Shah
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Deming Zhao
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tariq Hussain
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Naveed Sabir
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mazhar Hussain Mangi
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Yang
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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4
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Shah SZA, Zhao D, Hussain T, Sabir N, Mangi MH, Yang L. p62-Keap1-NRF2-ARE Pathway: A Contentious Player for Selective Targeting of Autophagy, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Prion Diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:310. [PMID: 30337853 PMCID: PMC6180192 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of fatal and debilitating neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animal species. The conversion of a non-pathogenic normal cellular protein (PrPc) into an abnormal infectious, protease-resistant, pathogenic form prion protein scrapie (PrPSc), is considered the etiology of these diseases. PrPSc accumulates in the affected individual’s brain in the form of extracellular plaques. The molecular pathways leading to neuronal cell death in prion diseases are still unclear. The free radical damage, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a key role in the pathogenesis of the various neurodegenerative disorders including prion diseases. The brain is very sensitive to changes in the redox status. It has been demonstrated that PrPc behaves as an antioxidant, while the neurotoxic prion peptide PrPSc increases hydrogen peroxide toxicity in the neuronal cultures leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an oxidative responsive pathway and a guardian of lifespan, which protect the cells from free radical stress-mediated cell death. The reduced glutathione, a major small molecule antioxidant present in all mammalian cells, and produced by several downstream target genes of NRF2, counterbalances the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In recent years, it has emerged that the ubiquitin-binding protein, p62-mediated induction of autophagy, is crucial for NRF2 activation and elimination of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The current review article, focuses on the role of NRF2 pathway in prion diseases to mitigate the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Zahid Ali Shah
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Deming Zhao
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tariq Hussain
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Naveed Sabir
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mazhar Hussain Mangi
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Yang
- National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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5
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Moujalled D, Grubman A, Acevedo K, Yang S, Ke YD, Moujalled DM, Duncan C, Caragounis A, Perera ND, Turner BJ, Prudencio M, Petrucelli L, Blair I, Ittner LM, Crouch PJ, Liddell JR, White AR. TDP-43 mutations causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are associated with altered expression of RNA-binding protein hnRNP K and affect the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:1732-1746. [PMID: 28334913 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a major disease-associated protein involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U). Our previous studies found a direct association between TDP-43 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K). In this study, utilizing ALS patient fibroblasts harboring a TDP-43M337V mutation and NSC-34 motor neuronal cell line expressing TDP-43Q331K mutation, we show that hnRNP K expression is impaired in urea soluble extracts from mutant TDP-43 cell models. This was confirmed in vivo using TDP-43Q331K and inducible TDP-43A315T murine ALS models. We further investigated the potential pathological effects of mutant TDP-43-mediated changes to hnRNP K metabolism by RNA binding immunoprecipitation analysis. hnRNP K protein was bound to antioxidant NFE2L2 transcripts encoding Nrf2 antioxidant transcription factor, with greater enrichment in TDP-43M337V patient fibroblasts compared to healthy controls. Subsequent gene expression profiling revealed an increase in downstream antioxidant transcript expression of Nrf2 signaling in the spinal cord of TDP-43Q331K mice compared to control counterparts, yet the corresponding protein expression was not up-regulated in transgenic mice. Despite the elevated expression of antioxidant transcripts, we observed impaired levels of glutathione (downstream Nrf2 antioxidant) in TDP-43M337V patient fibroblasts and astrocyte cultures from TDP-43Q331K mice, indicative of elevated oxidative stress and failure of some upregulated antioxidant genes to be translated into protein. Our findings indicate that further exploration of the interplay between hnRNP K (or other hnRNPs) and Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling is warranted and may be an important driver for motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Moujalled
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alexandra Grubman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Karla Acevedo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shu Yang
- The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Donia M Moujalled
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD), The Alfred Centre, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Clare Duncan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | - Nirma D Perera
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Ian Blair
- The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Peter J Crouch
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Liddell
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony R White
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia
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6
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Cichon AC, Brown DR. Nrf-2 regulation of prion protein expression is independent of oxidative stress. Mol Cell Neurosci 2014; 63:31-7. [PMID: 25242137 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular expression of host prion protein (PrP) is essential to infection with prion disease. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate prion protein expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels is therefore an important goal. The cellular prion protein has been associated with resistance to oxidative, and its expression is also increased by oxidative stress. The transcription factor Nrf-2 is associated with cellular responses to oxidative stress and is known to induce upregulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms. We have identified an Nrf-2 binding site in the prion protein promoter (Prnp) and shown that Nrf-2 downregulated PrP expression. However, this effect is independent of oxidative stress as oxidative stress can up-regulate PrP expression regardless of the level of Nrf-2 expression. Furthermore, Nrf-2 has no impact on PrP expression when cells are infected with scrapie. These findings highlight that Nrf-2 can regulate PrP expression, but that this regulation becomes uncoupled during cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David R Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
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7
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The modest impact of transcription factor Nrf2 on the course of disease in an ALS animal model. J Transl Med 2013; 93:825-33. [PMID: 23711824 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2013.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is associated with the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is one of the major cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. However, the role of Nrf2-mediated neuroprotection (antioxidant defense) in the disease development of ALS remains unclear. To further investigate the role of Nrf2 in ALS, we genetically eliminate the Nrf2 gene from SOD1-G93A mice, a commonly used ALS mouse model, by generating a double mutant (Nrf2-/- SOD1-G93A mice). We found that it only had a modest impact on the course of disease by knocking out Nrf2 gene in these mice. Further studies demonstrated that, among previously known Nrf2-regulated phase II enzymes, only NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 induction was significantly affected by the elimination of Nrf2 gene in SOD1-G93A mice. Taken together, our data suggested that Nrf2 is not the sole mediator for the induction of antioxidant genes in SOD1-G93A mice, and Nrf2-mediated neuroprotection is not the key protective mechanism against neurodegeneration in those mice.
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Zhang K, Shi P, An T, Wang Q, Wang J, Li Z, Duan W, Li C, Guo Y. Food restriction-induced autophagy modulates degradation of mutant SOD1 in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model. Brain Res 2013; 1519:112-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.04.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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9
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Chang G, Guo Y, Jia Y, Duan W, Li B, Yu J, Li C. Protective effect of combination of sulforaphane and riluzole on glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Biol Pharm Bull 2011; 33:1477-83. [PMID: 20823560 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.33.1477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Threohydroxyaspartate (THA) causes glutamate excitotoxicity in motor neurons in organotypic culture of rat spinal cord. Some drugs, including sulforaphane (SF) and riluzole, can protect motor neuron against excitotoxicity. It has been demonstrated that SF is a potent inducer of Phase II enzymes, while riluzole is a classic anti-glutamate agent. The objective of the current study is to investigate whether the combination of SF and riluzole is superior to either one used alone. In our study, the combination of SF with riluzole not only stimulates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH): quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), but also reduces the extracellular accumulation of glutamate. When used at optimal doses, SF (10 microM) and riluzole (5 microM), either alone or in combination, all exert significant and similar neuroprotection, as measured by the number of motor neuron, medium malondialdehyde (MDA) level and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. When used at low doses, the combination is better than each agent used alone. In conclusion, these results suggest the potential utility of combination use of SF and riluzole for protection of motor neuron against excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Chang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
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10
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Liu XY, Li CY, Bu H, Li Z, Li B, Sun MM, Zhang L, Tian M, Fan ZL, Ren WB. Neuroprotective effect of CPDT on THA-induced cortical motor neuron death in an organotypic culture model. Brain Res Bull 2010; 83:345-50. [PMID: 20851746 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Revised: 08/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Brain stroke, trauma, and motor neuron disease each can result in cortical motoneuron (CMN) death or impairment. Glutamate excitotoxicity induces motor neuron damage in both acute motor neuron loss and chronic motor neuron degeneration. It is necessary to find effective strategies to protect CMNs from excitotoxicity in a variety of pathological conditions. 5,6-Dihydrocyclopenta-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (CPDT) is one of the phase II enzyme inducers. In our previous report, CPDT was shown to have neuroprotective effects on the spinal cord, by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway to increase antioxidative capacity. In this study, in order to figure out whether CPDT can prevent CMN's from THA-induced death, we set up an organotypic brain slice culture system. Threo-hydroxyaspartate (THA), a glutamate transport inhibitor, was added to the culture medium to induce CMN death by glutamate excitotoxicity. Brain slices were pretreated with CPDT for 48h, then treated with CPDT and THA simultaneously for 3 weeks. We found that pretreatment with CPDT significantly increased CMN survival. Glutamate concentration in the culture medium was significantly greater following THA treatment, whereas no significant decrease was found in the CPDT pretreatment group. However, both Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression was significantly elevated in the CPDT pretreatment group, and Nrf2 protein translocated to the nucleus after CPDT stimulation. These findings suggest that CPDT can protect CMNs from THA-induced motor neuron death by activating the Nrf2 pathway and increasing HO-1 protein expression. Therefore, increasing antioxidative defense capacity should benefit to upper motor neuron survival following a glutamate excitotoxicity insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yun Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province 05000, China
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11
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Duan W, Li X, Shi J, Guo Y, Li Z, Li C. Mutant TAR DNA-binding protein-43 induces oxidative injury in motor neuron-like cell. Neuroscience 2010; 169:1621-9. [PMID: 20600671 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2010] [Revised: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 06/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Various missense mutations were identified in TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To explore the toxic effect of mutant TDP-43, we generated stable transfection of wild-type and mutant TDP-43 in motor neuron-like cell line. We found that mutant TDP-43 induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 is an indicator and modulator of oxidative stress and is known to promote the expression of phase || detoxification enzyme including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). However, HO-1 was down regulated in cells expressing the mutant TDP-43, and could not be restored by sulforaphane which is a known stimulator of Nrf2 and phase || detoxification enzyme, including HO-1. Nevertheless, sulforaphane reduced the level of lactate dehydrogenase and lipoperoxidation products in cells expressing TDP-43 mutant. However, sulforaphane could upregulate the expression of HO-1 and NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) in cells transfected with the empty vector and the wild-type TDP-43. Thus, sulforaphane protected cells against mutant TDP-43 independent of Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. How mutant TDP-43 reduces expression of HO-1 and prevents sulforaphane from activating Nrf2 signaling remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Duan
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, PR China
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12
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Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects motor neurons and regulates glutamate level. FEBS Lett 2010; 584:2921-5. [PMID: 20488180 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Revised: 05/02/2010] [Accepted: 05/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major component of green tea polyphenols which displays potential properties of anticancer and neuroprotection. Here we show that protection of motor neuron by EGCG is associated with regulating glutamate level in organotypic culture of rat spinal cord. In this model, EGCG blocked glutamate excitotoxicity caused by threohydroxyaspartate, an inhibitor of glutamate transporter. This property of EGCG may be not due to its intrinsic antioxidative activity, because another antioxidant could not regulate glutamate level under the same condition. These results show that EGCG may be a potential therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative diseases involving glutamate excitotoxicity such as ALS.
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13
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Duan W, Zhang R, Guo Y, Jiang Y, Huang Y, Jiang H, Li C. Nrf2 activity is lost in the spinal cord and its astrocytes of aged mice. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2009; 45:388-97. [PMID: 19452231 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-009-9194-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report herein a study of aging using in vitro and in vivo models. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and ferritin expression levels increased, and the levels of glutamate transporter 1 and transferrin receptor 1 decreased in aging mouse spinal cord and its astrocytes. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential in astrocytes decreased after 60 d of culture. Given the relationship between aging and loss of antioxidant tolerance capacity, we examined the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) and NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the old mouse astrocytes and spinal cord. Indeed, both antioxidant enzymes decreased there. Total nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, which governs basal and inducible expression of HO1 and NQO1, decreased significantly. Significantly, epigallocatechin gallate restored the Nrf2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisong Duan
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
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14
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Iron is a potential key mediator of glutamate excitotoxicity in spinal cord motor neurons. Brain Res 2009; 1257:102-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2008] [Revised: 12/08/2008] [Accepted: 12/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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