1
|
Stansberry WM, Pierchala BA. Neurotrophic factors in the physiology of motor neurons and their role in the pathobiology and therapeutic approach to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1238453. [PMID: 37692101 PMCID: PMC10483118 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1238453] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the neurotrophins and their potent survival and trophic effects led to great enthusiasm about their therapeutic potential to rescue dying neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. The further discovery that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) had potent survival-promoting activity on motor neurons led to the proposal for their use in motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this review we synthesize the literature pertaining to the role of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and GDNF on the development and physiology of spinal motor neurons, as well as the preclinical studies that evaluated their potential for the treatment of ALS. Results from the clinical trials of these molecules will also be described and, with the aid of decades of hindsight, we will discuss what can reasonably be concluded and how this information can inform future clinical development of neurotrophic factors for ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wesley M. Stansberry
- The Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Medical Neuroscience Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Brian A. Pierchala
- The Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Medical Neuroscience Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vafaei Mastanabad M, Nooraei A, Hassan Zadeh Tabatabaei MS, Akbari Fakhrabadi A, Jafarzadeh F. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF): an emerging therapeutic approach for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Acta Neurol Belg 2022:10.1007/s13760-022-01996-z. [PMID: 35737276 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-01996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal degeneration and inflammation in the nerves. G-CSF is a 19.6-kDa hematopoietic growth factor which is essential for the proliferation and differentiation of granulocyte hematopoietic progenitors. G-CSF exerts neuroprotective activities by induction of neuronal regeneration, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, mobilization of Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), regulation of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and activation of angiogenesis. Pre-clinical studies have shown significant efficacy of G-CSF therapy in mSOD1G93A mice models. G-CSF treatments were able to increase the survival of mice. However, clinical studies on ALS patients failed to clone pre-clinical results. Considering the potential role of G-CSF in nervous system regeneration, this study aimed to comprehensively review the clinical and pre-clinical studies addressing G-CSF in ALS treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aref Nooraei
- Comparative Anatomy and Embryology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | | | | | - Faria Jafarzadeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gorenjak V, Petrelis AM, Stathopoulou MG, Toupance S, Kumar S, Labat C, Masson C, Murray H, Lamont J, Fitzgerald P, Benetos A, Visvikis-Siest S. A genetic determinant of VEGF-A levels is associated with telomere attrition. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:23517-23526. [PMID: 34661551 PMCID: PMC8580333 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) is a hallmark of cellular aging and is associated with chronic diseases development. The vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a potent angiogenesis factor, is implicated in the pathophysiology of many chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between VEGF-A and TL. TL in leukocytes (LTL) and skeletal muscle (MTL) were measured, 10 VEGF-related polymorphisms genotyped, and VEGF-A plasma concentrations determined in 402 individuals from the TELARTA cohort. LTL/MTL ratio was calculated as an estimate of lifelong TL attrition. Associations between VEGF-A variants and levels, and TL parameters were investigated. We identified one significant association between the minor allele (T) of rs6993770 variant and LTL/MTL ratio (P=0.001143, β=0.0148, SE=0.004516). The rs6993770 is an intronic variant of the ZFPM2 gene, which is involved in haematopoiesis and the identified association with increased telomere attrition could be due to increased haematopoiesis. No significant epistatic interaction was identified, and no association was found between levels of VEGF-A and any of assessed phenotypes. We identified a potential common genetic regulation between VEGF-A and telomere length attrition that could be explained by mechanisms of increased hematopoiesis and production of platelets. VEGF-A and TL could play an important role in personalized medicine of chronic diseases and identification of molecular links between them can promote the understanding of their complex implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simon Toupance
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, DCAC, Nancy F-54000, France
| | - Satish Kumar
- Université de Lorraine, IGE-PCV, Nancy F-54000, France
| | - Carlos Labat
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, DCAC, Nancy F-54000, France
| | | | - Helena Murray
- Randox Laboratories Limited, Crumlin, Co. Antrim BT29 4QY, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - John Lamont
- Randox Laboratories Limited, Crumlin, Co. Antrim BT29 4QY, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Fitzgerald
- Randox Laboratories Limited, Crumlin, Co. Antrim BT29 4QY, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Athanase Benetos
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, DCAC, Nancy F-54000, France.,Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle "Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs", Nancy F-54000, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aschauer-Wallner S, Leis S, Bogdahn U, Johannesen S, Couillard-Despres S, Aigner L. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in traumatic spinal cord injury. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1642-1655. [PMID: 33781952 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine used in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Evidence from experimental studies indicates that G-CSF exerts relevant activities in the central nervous system (CNS) in particular after lesions. In acute, subacute, and chronic CNS lesions, G-CSF appears to have strong anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidative, myelin-protective, and axon-regenerative activities. Additional effects result in the stimulation of angiogenesis and neurogenesis as well as in bone marrow stem cell mobilization to the CNS. There are emerging preclinical and clinical data indicating that G-CSF is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of acute and chronic traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI), which we summarize in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Aschauer-Wallner
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Stefan Leis
- Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Velvio GmbH, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Siw Johannesen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, BG Trauma Center Murnau, Murnau, Germany
| | - Sebastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Johannesen S, Huie JR, Budeus B, Peters S, Wirth AM, Iberl S, Kammermaier T, Kobor I, Wirkert E, Küspert S, Tahedl M, Grassinger J, Pukrop T, Schneider A, Aigner L, Schulte-Mattler W, Schuierer G, Koch W, Bruun TH, Ferguson AR, Bogdahn U. Modeling and Bioinformatics Identify Responders to G-CSF in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2021; 12:616289. [PMID: 33815246 PMCID: PMC8012841 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.616289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Developing an integrative approach to early treatment response classification using survival modeling and bioinformatics with various biomarkers for early assessment of filgrastim (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) treatment effects in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Filgrastim, a hematopoietic growth factor with excellent safety, routinely applied in oncology and stem cell mobilization, had shown preliminary efficacy in ALS. Methods: We conducted individualized long-term filgrastim treatment in 36 ALS patients. The PRO-ACT database, with outcome data from 23 international clinical ALS trials, served as historical control and mathematical reference for survival modeling. Imaging data as well as cytokine and cellular data from stem cell analysis were processed as biomarkers in a non-linear principal component analysis (NLPCA) to identify individual response. Results: Cox proportional hazard and matched-pair analyses revealed a significant survival benefit for filgrastim-treated patients over PRO-ACT comparators. We generated a model for survival estimation based on patients in the PRO-ACT database and then applied the model to filgrastim-treated patients. Model-identified filgrastim responders displayed less functional decline and impressively longer survival than non-responders. Multimodal biomarkers were then analyzed by PCA in the context of model-defined treatment response, allowing identification of subsequent treatment response as early as within 3 months of therapy. Strong treatment response with a median survival of 3.8 years after start of therapy was associated with younger age, increased hematopoietic stem cell mobilization, less aggressive inflammatory cytokine plasma profiles, and preserved pattern of fractional anisotropy as determined by magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI-MRI). Conclusion: Long-term filgrastim is safe, is well-tolerated, and has significant positive effects on disease progression and survival in a small cohort of ALS patients. Developing and applying a model-based biomarker response classification allows use of multimodal biomarker patterns in full potential. This can identify strong individual treatment responders (here: filgrastim) at a very early stage of therapy and may pave the way to an effective individualized treatment option.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siw Johannesen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - J. Russell Huie
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Center, Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Sebastian Peters
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anna M. Wirth
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Iberl
- Department of Hematology - Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tina Kammermaier
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ines Kobor
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Eva Wirkert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Küspert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marlene Tahedl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Grassinger
- Department of Hematology - Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Pukrop
- Department of Hematology - Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Velvio GmbH, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Gerhard Schuierer
- Center of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Regensburg & District Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Tim-Henrik Bruun
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Velvio GmbH, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Adam R. Ferguson
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Center, Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Velvio GmbH, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Potential roles of telomeres and telomerase in neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:1060-1078. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|