Latent Tri-lineage Potential of Human Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Revealed by Specific In Vitro Culture Conditions

The Antiproteinopathy, Antioxidant, and Antiapoptotic Effects of Methylene Blue and 4-Phenylbutyric Acid Alone, and in Combination on Familial Alzheimer's Disease PSEN1 I416T Cholinergic-Like Neurons

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a chronic neurological condition that progresses over time. Currently, lacking a viable treatment, the use of multitarget medication combinations has generated interest as a potential FAD therapy approach. In this study, we examined the effects of 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) and methylene blue (MB) either separately or in combination on PSEN1 I416T cholinergic-like neuron cells (ChLNs), which serve as a model for FAD. We found that MB was significantly efficient at reducing the accumulation of intracellular Aβ, phosphorylation of TAU Ser202/Thr205, and increasing Δψm, whereas 4-PBA was significantly efficient at diminishing oxidation of DJ-1Cys106-SH, expression of TP53, and increasing ACh-induced Ca2+ influx. Both agents were equally effective at blunting phosphorylated c-JUN at Ser63/Ser73 and activating caspase 3 (CASP3) into cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) on mutant cells. Combination of MB and 4-PBA at middle (0.1, 1) concentration significantly reduced iAβ, p-TAU, and oxDJ-1 and augmented the ACh-induced Ca2+ influx compared to combined agents at low (0.05, 0.5) or high (0.5, 5) concentration. However, combined MB and 4-PBA were efficient only at dropping DJ-1Cys106-SO3 and increasing ACh-induced Ca2+ inward in mutant ChLNs. Our data show that the reagents MB and 4-PBA alone possess more than one action (e.g., antiamyloid, antioxidant, anti-TAU, antiapoptotic, and ACh-induced Ca2+ influx enhancers), that in combination might cancel or diminish each other. Together, these results strongly argue that MB and 4-PBA might protect PSEN1 I416T ChLNs from Aβ-induced toxicity by working intracellularly as anti-Aβ and anti-Tau agents, improving Δψm and cell survival, and extracellularly, by increasing ACh-induced Ca2+ ion influx. MB and 4-PBA are promising drugs with potential for repurposing in familial AD.

Combination of Tramiprosate, Curcumin, and SP600125 Reduces the Neuropathological Phenotype in Familial Alzheimer Disease PSEN1 I416T Cholinergic-like Neurons

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a complex and multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder for which no curative therapies are yet available. Indeed, no single medication or intervention has proven fully effective thus far. Therefore, the combination of multitarget agents has been appealing as a potential therapeutic approach against FAD. Here, we investigated the potential of combining tramiprosate (TM), curcumin (CU), and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 (SP) as a treatment for FAD. The study analyzed the individual and combined effects of these two natural agents and this pharmacological inhibitor on the accumulation of intracellular amyloid beta iAβ; hyperphosphorylated protein TAU at Ser202/Thr205; mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm); generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); oxidized protein DJ-1; proapoptosis proteins p-c-JUN at Ser63/Ser73, TP53, and cleaved caspase 3 (CC3); and deficiency in acetylcholine (ACh)-induced transient Ca2+ influx response in cholinergic-like neurons (ChLNs) bearing the mutation I416T in presenilin 1 (PSEN1 I416T). We found that single doses of TM (50 μM), CU (10 μM), or SP (1 μM) were efficient at reducing some, but not all, pathological markers in PSEN 1 I416T ChLNs, whereas a combination of TM, CU, and SP at a high (50, 10, 1 μM) concentration was efficient in diminishing the iAβ, p-TAU Ser202/Thr205, DJ-1Cys106-SO3, and CC3 markers by -50%, -75%, -86%, and -100%, respectively, in PSEN1 I417T ChLNs. Although combinations at middle (10, 2, 0.2) and low (5, 1, 0.1) concentrations significantly diminished p-TAU Ser202/Thr205, DJ-1Cys106-SO3, and CC3 by -69% and -38%, -100% and -62%, -100% and -62%, respectively, these combinations did not alter the iAβ compared to untreated mutant ChLNs. Moreover, a combination of reagents at H concentration was able to restore the dysfunctional ACh-induced Ca2+ influx response in PSEN 1 I416T. Our data suggest that the use of multitarget agents in combination with anti-amyloid (TM, CU), antioxidant (e.g., CU), and antiapoptotic (TM, CU, SP) actions might be beneficial for reducing iAβ-induced ChLN damage in FAD.

Neuroprotective Effect of Combined Treatment with Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate and Melatonin on Familial Alzheimer's Disease PSEN1 E280A Cerebral Spheroids Derived from Menstrual Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Background

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is caused by mutations in one or more of 3 genes known as AβPP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. There are currently no effective therapies for FAD. Hence, novel therapeutics are needed.

Objective

To analyze the effect of treatment with a combination of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, aMT) in a cerebral spheroid (CS) 3D in vitro model of PSEN 1 E280A FAD.

Methods

We developed a CS in vitro model based on menstrual stromal cells derived from wild-type (WT) and mutant PSEN1 E280A menstrual blood cultured in Fast-N-Spheres V2 medium.

Results

Beta-tubulin III, choline acetyltransferase, and GFAP in both WT and mutant CSs spontaneously expressed neuronal and astroglia markers when grown in Fast-N-Spheres V2 medium for 4 or 11 days. Mutant PSEN1 CSs had significantly increased levels of intracellular AβPP fragment peptides and concomitant appearance of oxidized DJ-1 as early as 4 days, and phosphorylated tau, decreased ΔΨm, and increased caspase-3 activity were observed on Day 11. Moreover, mutant CSs were unresponsive to acetylcholine. Treatment with a combination of EGCG and aMT decreased the levels of all typical pathological markers of FAD more efficiently than did EGCG or aMT alone, but aMT failed to restore Ca2+ influx in mutant CSs and decreased the beneficial effect of EGCG on Ca2+ influx in mutant CSs.

Conclusion

Treatment with a combination of EGCG and aMT can be of high therapeutic value due to the high antioxidant capacity and anti-amyloidogenic effect of both compounds.

Body fluid-derived stem cells - an untapped stem cell source in genitourinary regeneration

Somatic stem cells have been obtained from solid organs and tissues, including the bone marrow, placenta, corneal stroma, periosteum, adipose tissue, dental pulp and skeletal muscle. These solid tissue-derived stem cells are often used for tissue repair, disease modelling and new drug development. In the past two decades, stem cells have also been identified in various body fluids, including urine, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, synovial fluid, breastmilk and menstrual blood. These body fluid-derived stem cells (BFSCs) have stemness properties comparable to those of other adult stem cells and, similarly to tissue-derived stem cells, show cell surface markers, multi-differentiation potential and immunomodulatory effects. However, BFSCs are more easily accessible through non-invasive or minimally invasive approaches than solid tissue-derived stem cells and can be isolated without enzymatic tissue digestion. Additionally, BFSCs have shown good versatility in repairing genitourinary abnormalities in preclinical models through direct differentiation or paracrine mechanisms such as pro-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic, antifibrotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, optimization of protocols is needed to improve the efficacy and safety of BFSC therapy before therapeutic translation.

High Yield of Functional Dopamine-like Neurons Obtained in NeuroForsk 2.0 Medium to Study Acute and Chronic Rotenone Effects on Oxidative Stress, Autophagy, and Apoptosis

Several efforts to develop new protocols to differentiate in in vitro human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) into dopamine (DA) neurons have been reported. We have formulated NeuroForsk 2.0 medium containing fibroblast growth factor type beta (FGFb), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), melatonin, purmorphamine, and forskolin. We report for the first time that menstrual stromal cells (MenSCs) cultured in NeuroForsk 2.0 medium for 7 days transdifferentiated into DA-like neurons (DALNs) expressing specific DA lineage markers tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells (TH+) and DA transporter-positive (DAT+) cells and were responsive to DA-induced transient Ca2+ influx. To test the usefulness of this medium, DALNs were exposed to rotenone (ROT), a naturally occurring organic neurotoxin used extensively to chemically induce an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is a movement disorder characterized by the specific loss of DA neurons. We wanted to determine whether ROT induces apoptotic cell death and autophagy pathway under acute or chronic conditions in DALNs. Here, we report that acute ROT exposure induced several molecular changes in DALNS. ROT induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), high expression of parkin (PRKN), and high colocalization of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) with the mitochondrial translocase of the outer membrane of mitochondria 20 (TOMM20) protein. Acute ROT also induced the appearance of DJ-1Cys106-SO3, as evidenced by the generation of H2O2 and oxidative stress (OS) damage. Remarkably, ROT triggered the phosphorylation of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) at residue Ser935 and phosphorylation of α-Syn at residue Ser129, a pathological indicator. ROT induced the accumulation of lipidated microtubule-associated protein 1B-light chain 3 (LC3B), a highly specific marker of autophagosomes. Finally, ROT induced cleaved caspase 3 (CC3), a marker of activated caspase 3 (CASP3) in apoptotic DALNs compared to untreated DANLs. However, the chronic condition was better at inducing the accumulation of lysosomes than the acute condition. Importantly, the inhibitor of the LRRK2 kinase PF-06447475 (PF-475) almost completely blunted ROT-induced apoptosis and reduced ROT-induced accumulation of lysosomes in both acute and chronic conditions in DALNs. Our data suggest that LRRK2 kinase regulated both apoptotic cell death and autophagy in DALNs under OS. Given that defects in mitochondrial complex I activity are commonly observed in PD, ROT works well as a chemical model of PD in both acute and chronic conditions. Therefore, prevention and treatment therapy should be guided to relieve DALNs from mitochondrial damage and OS, two of the most important triggers in the apoptotic cell death of DALNs.

Cholinergic-like neurons and cerebral spheroids bearing the PSEN1 p.Ile416Thr variant mirror Alzheimer's disease neuropathology

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder for which there are no therapeutics to date. Several mutations in presenilin 1 (PSEN 1), which is the catalytic component of γ-secretase complex, are causal of FAD. Recently, the p.Ile416Thr (I416T) PSEN 1 mutation has been reported in large kindred in Colombia. However, cell and molecular information from I416T mutation is scarce. Here, we demonstrate that menstrual stromal cells (MenSCs)-derived planar (2D) PSEN 1 I416T cholinergic-like cells (ChLNS) and (3D) cerebral spheroids (CSs) reproduce the typical neuropathological markers of FAD in 4 post-transdifferentiating or 11 days of transdifferentiating, respectively. The models produce intracellular aggregation of APPβ fragments (at day 4 and 11) and phosphorylated protein TAU at residue Ser202/Thr205 (at day 11) suggesting that iAPPβ fragments precede p-TAU. Mutant ChLNs and CSs displayed DJ-1 Cys106-SO3 (sulfonic acid), failure of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), and activation of transcription factor c-JUN and p53, expression of pro-apoptotic protein PUMA, and activation of executer protein caspase 3 (CASP3), all markers of cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, we found that both mutant ChLNs and CSs produced high amounts of extracellular eAβ42. The I416T ChLNs and CSs were irresponsive to acetylcholine induced Ca2+ influx compared to WT. The I416T PSEN 1 mutation might work as dominant-negative PSEN1 mutation. These findings might help to understanding the recurring failures of clinical trials of anti-eAβ42, and support the view that FAD is triggered by the accumulation of other intracellular AβPP metabolites, rather than eAβ42.

Cannabidiol Protects Dopaminergic-like Neurons against Paraquat- and Maneb-Induced Cell Death through Safeguarding DJ-1CYS106 and Caspase 3 Independently of Cannabinoid Receptors: Relevance in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder, has reached pandemic status worldwide. This neurologic disorder is caused primarily by the specific deterioration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Unfortunately, there are no therapeutic agents that slow or delay the disease progression. Herein, menstrual stromal cell-derived dopamine-like neurons (DALNs) intoxicated with paraquat (PQ²⁺)/maneb (MB) were used as a model system to elucidate the mechanism by which CBD protects the neural cell from apoptosis in vitro. According to immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, cell-free assay, and molecular docking analysis, we demonstrate that CBD offers protection to DALNs against PQ²⁺ (1 mM)/MB (50 μM)-induced oxidative stress (OS) by simultaneously (i) decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS: O₂^•-, H₂O₂), (ii) maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m), (iii) directly binding to stress sensor protein DJ-1, thereby blunting its oxidation from DJ-1CYS¹⁰⁶-SH into DJ-1CYS¹⁰⁶-SO₃, and (iv) directly binding to pro-apoptotic protease protein caspase 3 (CASP3), thereby disengaging neuronal dismantling. Furthermore, the protective effect of CBD on DJ-1 and CASP3 was independent of CB1 and CB2 receptor signaling. CBD also re-established the Ca²⁺ influx in DALNs as a response to dopamine (DA) stimuli under PQ²⁺/MB exposure. Because of its powerful antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects, CBD offers potential therapeutic utility in the treatment of PD.

PSEN1 E280A Cholinergic-like Neurons and Cerebral Spheroids Derived from Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Are Neuropathologically Equivalent

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by the severe loss of cholinergic neurons. Currently, the incomplete understanding of the loss of neurons has prevented curative treatments for familial AD (FAD). Therefore, modeling FAD in vitro is essential for studying cholinergic vulnerability. Moreover, to expedite the discovery of disease-modifying therapies that delay the onset and slow the progression of AD, we depend on trustworthy disease models. Although highly informative, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived cholinergic neurons (ChNs) are time-consuming, not cost-effective, and labor-intensive. Other sources for AD modeling are urgently needed. Wild-type and presenilin (PSEN)1 p.E280A fibroblast-derived iPSCs, menstrual blood-derived menstrual stromal cells (MenSCs), and umbilical cord-derived Wharton Jelly's mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) were cultured in Cholinergic-N-Run and Fast-N-Spheres V2 medium to obtain WT and PSEN 1 E280A cholinergic-like neurons (ChLNs, 2D) and cerebroid spheroids (CSs, 3D), respectively, and to evaluate whether ChLNs/CSs can reproduce FAD pathology. We found that irrespective of tissue source, ChLNs/CSs successfully recapitulated the AD phenotype. PSEN 1 E280A ChLNs/CSs show accumulation of iAPPβ fragments, produce eAβ42, present TAU phosphorylation, display OS markers (e.g., oxDJ-1, p-JUN), show loss of ΔΨm, exhibit cell death markers (e.g., TP53, PUMA, CASP3), and demonstrate dysfunctional Ca2+ influx response to ACh stimuli. However, PSEN 1 E280A 2D and 3D cells derived from MenSCs and WJ-MSCs can reproduce FAD neuropathology more efficiently and faster (11 days) than ChLNs derived from mutant iPSCs (35 days). Mechanistically, MenSCs and WJ-MSCs are equivalent cell types to iPSCs for reproducing FAD in vitro.

Polycationic peptide R7-G-Aβ25-35 selectively induces cell death in leukemia Jurkat T cells through speedy mitochondrial depolarization, and CASPASE-3 -independent mechanism

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Polycationic arginine (R) residue bound Aβ25-35 peptide is cytotoxic to Jurkat cells.

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R⁷-G-Aβ_25-35 is more effective killing leukemia cells than Aβ25-35-G-R⁷.

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R⁷-G-Aβ_25-35 induces alteration of cell metabolism, and reduces cell proliferation.

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R⁷-G-Aβ_25-35 provokes loss of ΔΨ_m and produces high amount of ROS.

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R⁷-G-Aβ_25-35 is harmless to normal proliferative mesenchymal stromal cells.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Diminishes Intra-and Extracellular Amyloid-Induced Cytotoxic Effects on Cholinergic-like Neurons from Familial Alzheimer's Disease PSEN1 E280A

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by functional disruption, death of cholinergic neurons (ChNs) because of intracellular and extracellular Aβ aggregates, and hyperphosphorylation of protein TAU (p-TAU). To date, there are no efficient therapies against AD. Therefore, new therapies for its treatment are in need. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on cholinergic-like neurons (ChLNs) bearing the mutation E280A in PRESENILIN 1 (PSEN1 E280A). To this aim, wild-type (WT) and PSEN1 E280A ChLNs were exposed to EGCG (5–50 μM) for 4 days. Untreated or treated neurons were assessed for biochemical and functional analysis. We found that EGCG (50 μM) significantly inhibited the aggregation of (i)sAPPβf, blocked p-TAU, increased ∆Ψm, decreased oxidation of DJ-1 at residue Cys106-SH, and inhibited the activation of transcription factor c-JUN and P53, PUMA, and CASPASE-3 in mutant ChLNs compared to WT. Although EGCG did not reduce (e)Aβ42, the polyphenol reversed Ca²⁺ influx dysregulation as a response to acetylcholine (ACh) stimuli in PSEN1 E280A ChLNs, inhibited the activation of transcription factor NF-κB, and reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-6 in wild-type astrocyte-like cells (ALCs) when exposed to mutant ChLNs culture supernatant. Taken together, our findings suggest that the EGCG might be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of FAD.