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Marín I. Emergence of the Synucleins. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1053. [PMID: 37626939 PMCID: PMC10451939 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
This study establishes the origin and evolutionary history of the synuclein genes. A combination of phylogenetic analyses of the synucleins from twenty-two model species, characterization of local synteny similarities among humans, sharks and lampreys, and statistical comparisons among lamprey and human chromosomes, provides conclusive evidence for the current diversity of synuclein genes arising from the whole-genome duplications (WGDs) that occurred in vertebrates. An ancestral synuclein gene was duplicated in a first WGD, predating the diversification of all living vertebrates. The two resulting genes are still present in agnathan vertebrates. The second WGD, specific to the gnathostome lineage, led to the emergence of the three classical synuclein genes, SNCA, SNCB and SNCG, which are present in all jawed vertebrate lineages. Additional WGDs have added new genes in both agnathans and gnathostomes, while some gene losses have occurred in particular species. The emergence of synucleins through WGDs prevented these genes from experiencing dosage effects, thus avoiding the potential detrimental effects associated with individual duplications of genes that encode proteins prone to aggregation. Additional insights into the structural and functional features of synucleins are gained through the analysis of the highly divergent synuclein proteins present in chondrichthyans and agnathans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Marín
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), 46010 Valencia, Spain
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2
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Maxson Jones K, Morgan JR. Lampreys and spinal cord regeneration: "a very special claim on the interest of zoologists," 1830s-present. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1113961. [PMID: 37228651 PMCID: PMC10203415 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1113961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Employing history of science methods, including analyses of the scientific literature, archival documents, and interviews with scientists, this paper presents a history of lampreys in neurobiology from the 1830s to the present. We emphasize the lamprey's roles in helping to elucidate spinal cord regeneration mechanisms. Two attributes have long perpetuated studies of lampreys in neurobiology. First, they possess large neurons, including multiple classes of stereotypically located, 'identified' giant neurons in the brain, which project their large axons into the spinal cord. These giant neurons and their axonal fibers have facilitated electrophysiological recordings and imaging across biological scales, ranging from molecular to circuit-level analyses of nervous system structures and functions and including their roles in behavioral output. Second, lampreys have long been considered amongst the most basal extant vertebrates on the planet, so they have facilitated comparative studies pointing to conserved and derived characteristics of vertebrate nervous systems. These features attracted neurologists and zoologists to studies of lampreys between the 1830s and 1930s. But, the same two attributes also facilitated the rise of the lamprey in neural regeneration research after 1959, when biologists first wrote about the spontaneous, robust regeneration of some identified CNS axons in larvae after spinal cord injuries, coupled with recovery of normal swimming. Not only did large neurons promote fresh insights in the field, enabling studies incorporating multiple scales with existing and new technologies. But investigators also were able to attach a broad scope of relevance to their studies, interpreting them as suggesting conserved features of successful, and sometimes even unsuccessful, CNS regeneration. Lamprey research demonstrated that functional recovery takes place without the reformation of the original neuronal connections, for instance, by way of imperfect axonal regrowth and compensatory plasticity. Moreover, research performed in the lamprey model revealed that factors intrinsic to neurons are integral in promoting or hindering regeneration. As this work has helped illuminate why basal vertebrates accomplish CNS regeneration so well, whereas mammals do it so poorly, this history presents a case study in how biological and medical value have been, and could continue to be, gleaned from a non-traditional model organism for which molecular tools have been developed only relatively recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Maxson Jones
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of History, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Marine Biological Laboratory, The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer R. Morgan
- Marine Biological Laboratory, The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, MA, United States
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3
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Shahpasand-Kroner H, Siddique I, Malik R, Linares GR, Ivanova MI, Ichida J, Weil T, Münch J, Sanchez-Garcia E, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Molecular Tweezers: Supramolecular Hosts with Broad-Spectrum Biological Applications. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:263-308. [PMID: 36549866 PMCID: PMC9976797 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-selective molecular tweezers (MTs) are supramolecular host molecules displaying a remarkably broad spectrum of biologic activities. MTs act as inhibitors of the self-assembly and toxicity of amyloidogenic proteins using a unique mechanism. They destroy viral membranes and inhibit infection by enveloped viruses, such as HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, by mechanisms unrelated to their action on protein self-assembly. They also disrupt biofilm of Gram-positive bacteria. The efficacy and safety of MTs have been demonstrated in vitro, in cell culture, and in vivo, suggesting that these versatile compounds are attractive therapeutic candidates for various diseases, infections, and injuries. A lead compound called CLR01 has been shown to inhibit the aggregation of various amyloidogenic proteins, facilitate their clearance in vivo, prevent infection by multiple viruses, display potent anti-biofilm activity, and have a high safety margin in animal models. The inhibitory effect of CLR01 against amyloidogenic proteins is highly specific to abnormal self-assembly of amyloidogenic proteins with no disruption of normal mammalian biologic processes at the doses needed for inhibition. Therapeutic effects of CLR01 have been demonstrated in animal models of proteinopathies, lysosomal-storage diseases, and spinal-cord injury. Here we review the activity and mechanisms of action of these intriguing compounds and discuss future research directions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Molecular tweezers are supramolecular host molecules with broad biological applications, including inhibition of abnormal protein aggregation, facilitation of lysosomal clearance of toxic aggregates, disruption of viral membranes, and interference of biofilm formation by Gram-positive bacteria. This review discusses the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of the molecular tweezers, including the discovery of distinct mechanisms acting in vitro and in vivo, and the application of these compounds in multiple preclinical disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedieh Shahpasand-Kroner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ravinder Malik
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gabriel R Linares
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Magdalena I Ivanova
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Justin Ichida
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Weil
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank-Gerrit Klärner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Jin LQ, Zhou Y, Li YS, Zhang G, Hu J, Selzer ME. Transcriptomes of Injured Lamprey Axon Tips: Single-Cell RNA-Seq Suggests Differential Involvement of MAPK Signaling Pathways in Axon Retraction and Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152320. [PMID: 35954164 PMCID: PMC9367414 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Axotomy in the CNS activates retrograde signals that can trigger regeneration or cell death. Whether these outcomes use different injury signals is not known. Local protein synthesis in axon tips plays an important role in axon retraction and regeneration. Microarray and RNA-seq studies on cultured mammalian embryonic or early postnatal peripheral neurons showed that axon growth cones contain hundreds to thousands of mRNAs. In the lamprey, identified reticulospinal neurons vary in the probability that their axons will regenerate after axotomy. The bad regenerators undergo early severe axon retraction and very delayed apoptosis. We micro-aspirated axoplasms from 10 growing, 9 static and 5 retracting axon tips of spinal cord transected lampreys and performed single-cell RNA-seq, analyzing the results bioinformatically. Genes were identified that were upregulated selectively in growing (n = 38), static (20) or retracting tips (18). Among them, map3k2, csnk1e and gtf2h were expressed in growing tips, mapk8(1) was expressed in static tips and prkcq was expressed in retracting tips. Venn diagrams revealed more than 40 components of MAPK signaling pathways, including jnk and p38 isoforms, which were differentially distributed in growing, static and/or retracting tips. Real-time q-PCR and immunohistochemistry verified the colocalization of map3k2 and csnk1e in growing axon tips. Thus, differentially regulated MAPK and circadian rhythm signaling pathways may be involved in activating either programs for axon regeneration or axon retraction and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qing Jin
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (G.Z.); (J.H.)
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Correspondence: (L.-Q.J.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Yan Zhou
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA;
| | - Yue-Sheng Li
- DNA Sequence & Genomics Core Facility at the NHLBI, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Guixin Zhang
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (G.Z.); (J.H.)
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Jianli Hu
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (G.Z.); (J.H.)
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Michael E. Selzer
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (G.Z.); (J.H.)
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Correspondence: (L.-Q.J.); (M.E.S.)
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Sobrido-Camean D, Barreiro-Iglesias A. Morpholino studies shed light on the signaling pathways regulating axon regeneration in lampreys. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1475-1477. [PMID: 34916423 PMCID: PMC8771085 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.330597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sobrido-Camean
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Biology, CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Antón Barreiro-Iglesias
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Biology, CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
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Hou Z, Chen J, Yang H, Hu X, Yang F. microRNA-26a shuttled by extracellular vesicles secreted from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells reduce neuronal damage through KLF9-mediated regulation of TRAF2/KLF2 axis. Adipocyte 2021; 10:378-393. [PMID: 34311651 PMCID: PMC8320674 DOI: 10.1080/21623945.2021.1938829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized vesicles secreted actively by numeorus cells and have fundamental roles in intercellular communication through shuttling functional RNAs. This study sets out to elucidate the role of microRNA-26a (miR-26a) shuttled by EVs derived from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in neuronal damage. After extraction and identification of ASC-derived EVs (ASC-EVs), mouse cortical neuronal cells were selected to establish an in vivo cerebral ischemia/reperfusion mouse model and an in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/RP) cell model. The downstream genes of miR-26a were analyzed. The gain- and loss-of function of miR-26a and KLF9 was performed in mouse and cell models. Neuronal cells were subjected to co-culture with ASC-EVs and biological behaviors were detected by flow cytometry, Motic Images Plus, TTC, TUNEL staining, qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. ASC-EVs protected neuronal cells against neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, which was related to transfer of miR-26a into neuronal cells. In neuronal cells, miR-26a targeted KLF9. KLF9 could suppress the expression of TRAF2 and KLF2 to facilitate neuronal damage. In vitro and in vivo results showed that miR-26a delivered by ASC-EVs inhibited neuronal damage. In summary, ASC-EVs-derived miR-26a can arrest neuronal damage by disrupting the KLF9-meidated suppression on TRAF2/KLF2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, P. R. China
| | - Ji Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, P. R. China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, P. R. China
| | - Fengrui Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, P. R. China
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Li Z, Siddique I, Hadrović I, Kirupakaran A, Li J, Zhang Y, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Lysine-selective molecular tweezers are cell penetrant and concentrate in lysosomes. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1076. [PMID: 34521989 PMCID: PMC8440717 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02603-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-selective molecular tweezers are promising drug candidates against proteinopathies, viral infection, and bacterial biofilm. Despite demonstration of their efficacy in multiple cellular and animal models, important questions regarding their mechanism of action, including cell penetrance and intracellular distribution, have not been answered to date. The main impediment to answering these questions has been the low intrinsic fluorescence of the main compound tested to date, called CLR01. Here, we address these questions using new fluorescently labeled molecular tweezers derivatives. We show that these compounds are internalized in neurons and astrocytes, at least partially through dynamin-dependent endocytosis. In addition, we demonstrate that the molecular tweezers concentrate rapidly in acidic compartments, primarily lysosomes. Accumulation of molecular tweezers in lysosomes may occur both through the endosomal-lysosomal pathway and via the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Moreover, by visualizing colocalization of molecular tweezers, lysosomes, and tau aggregates we show that lysosomes likely are the main site for the intracellular anti-amyloid activity of molecular tweezers. These findings have important implications for the mechanism of action of molecular tweezers in vivo, explaining how administration of low doses of the compounds achieves high effective concentrations where they are needed, and supporting the development of these compounds as drugs for currently cureless proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizheng Li
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Inesa Hadrović
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Abbna Kirupakaran
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jiwen Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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8
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Alpha-synuclein increases in rodent and human spinal cord injury and promotes inflammation and tissue loss. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11720. [PMID: 34083630 PMCID: PMC8175699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases in which α-synuclein protein accumulates in neurons and glia. In these diseases, α-synuclein forms dense intracellular aggregates that are disease hallmarks and actively contribute to tissue pathology. Interestingly, many pathological mechanisms, including iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, are shared between classical synucleinopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). However, to date, no studies have determined if α-synuclein accumulation occurs after human SCI. To examine this, cross-sections from injured and non-injured human spinal cords were immunolabeled for α-synuclein. This showed robust α-synuclein accumulation in profiles resembling axons and astrocytes in tissue surrounding the injury, revealing that α-synuclein markedly aggregates in traumatically injured human spinal cords. We also detected significant iron deposition in the injury site, a known catalyst for α-synuclein aggregation. Next a rodent SCI model mimicking the histological features of human SCI revealed aggregates and structurally altered monomers of α-synuclein are present after SCI. To determine if α-synuclein exacerbates SCI pathology, α-synuclein knockout mice were tested. Compared to wild type mice, α-synuclein knockout mice had significantly more spared axons and neurons and lower pro-inflammatory mediators, macrophage accumulation, and iron deposition in the injured spinal cord. Interestingly, locomotor analysis revealed that α-synuclein may be essential for dopamine-mediated hindlimb function after SCI. Collectively, the marked upregulation and long-lasting accumulation of α-synuclein and iron suggests that SCI may fit within the family of synucleinopathies and offer new therapeutic targets for promoting neuron preservation and improving function after spinal trauma.
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Weil T, Groß R, Röcker A, Bravo-Rodriguez K, Heid C, Sowislok A, Le MH, Erwin N, Dwivedi M, Bart SM, Bates P, Wettstein L, Müller JA, Harms M, Sparrer K, Ruiz-Blanco YB, Stürzel CM, von Einem J, Lippold S, Read C, Walther P, Hebel M, Kreppel F, Klärner FG, Bitan G, Ehrmann M, Weil T, Winter R, Schrader T, Shorter J, Sanchez-Garcia E, Münch J. Supramolecular Mechanism of Viral Envelope Disruption by Molecular Tweezers. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:17024-17038. [PMID: 32926779 PMCID: PMC7523239 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c06400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Broad-spectrum
antivirals are powerful weapons against dangerous
viruses where no specific therapy exists, as in the case of the ongoing
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We discovered that a lysine- and arginine-specific
supramolecular ligand (CLR01) destroys enveloped viruses, including
HIV, Ebola, and Zika virus, and remodels amyloid fibrils in semen
that promote viral infection. Yet, it is unknown how CLR01 exerts
these two distinct therapeutic activities. Here, we delineate a novel
mechanism of antiviral activity by studying the activity of tweezer
variants: the “phosphate tweezer” CLR01, a “carboxylate
tweezer” CLR05, and a “phosphate clip” PC. Lysine
complexation inside the tweezer cavity is needed to antagonize amyloidogenesis
and is only achieved by CLR01. Importantly, CLR01 and CLR05 but not
PC form closed inclusion complexes with lipid head groups of viral
membranes, thereby altering lipid orientation and increasing surface
tension. This process disrupts viral envelopes and diminishes infectivity
but leaves cellular membranes intact. Consequently, CLR01 and CLR05
display broad antiviral activity against all enveloped viruses tested,
including herpesviruses, Measles virus, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.
Based on our mechanistic insights, we potentiated the antiviral, membrane-disrupting
activity of CLR01 by introducing aliphatic ester arms into each phosphate
group to act as lipid anchors that promote membrane targeting. The
most potent ester modifications harbored unbranched C4 units, which
engendered tweezers that were approximately one order of magnitude
more effective than CLR01 and nontoxic. Thus, we establish the mechanistic
basis of viral envelope disruption by specific tweezers and establish
a new class of potential broad-spectrum antivirals with enhanced activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Weil
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Annika Röcker
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kenny Bravo-Rodriguez
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Heid
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Sowislok
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - My-Hue Le
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Nelli Erwin
- Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mridula Dwivedi
- Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stephen M Bart
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Paul Bates
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Janis A Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Konstantin Sparrer
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Yasser B Ruiz-Blanco
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Christina M Stürzel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jens von Einem
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sina Lippold
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Clarissa Read
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany.,Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marco Hebel
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Florian Kreppel
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research, University of Witten/Herdecke, Stockumer Strasse 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | | | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Michael Ehrmann
- Microbiology II, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Roland Winter
- Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - James Shorter
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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10
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A Low Cost Antibody Signal Enhancer Improves Immunolabeling in Cell Culture, Primate Brain and Human Cancer Biopsy. Neuroscience 2020; 439:275-286. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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11
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Regulation of BDNF-TrkB Signaling and Potential Therapeutic Strategies for Parkinson's Disease. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9010257. [PMID: 31963575 PMCID: PMC7019526 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) are widely distributed in multiple regions of the human brain. Specifically, BDNF/TrkB is highly expressed and activated in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and plays a critical role in neurophysiological processes, including neuro-protection and maturation and maintenance of neurons. The activation as well as dysfunction of the BDNF-TrkB pathway are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The expression of BDNF/TrkB in the substantia nigra is significantly reduced in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. This review summarizes recent progress in the understanding of the cellular and molecular roles of BNDF/TrkB signaling and its isoform, TrkB.T1, in Parkinson's disease. We have also discussed the effects of current therapies on BDNF/TrkB signaling in Parkinson's disease patients and the mechanisms underlying the mutation-mediated acquisition of resistance to therapies for Parkinson's disease.
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12
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Zeng H, Liu N, Yang YY, Xing HY, Liu XX, Li F, La GY, Huang MJ, Zhou MW. Lentivirus-mediated downregulation of α-synuclein reduces neuroinflammation and promotes functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injury. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:283. [PMID: 31888724 PMCID: PMC6936070 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1658-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prognosis of spinal cord injury (SCI) is closely related to secondary injury, which is dominated by neuroinflammation. There is evidence that α-synuclein aggregates after SCI and that inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation can improve the survival of neurons after SCI, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of α-synuclein on neuroinflammation after SCI and to determine the underlying mechanisms. Method A T3 spinal cord contusion model was established in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. An SNCA-shRNA-carrying lentivirus (LV-SNCA-shRNA) was injected into the injury site to block the expression of α-synuclein (forming the SCI+KD group), and the SCI and sham groups were injected with an empty vector. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) behavioural scores and footprint analysis were used to detect motor function. Inflammatory infiltration and myelin loss were measured in the spinal cord tissues of each group by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) staining, respectively. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and RT-qPCR were used to analyse protein expression and transcription levels in the tissues. Immunofluorescence was used to determine the morphology and function of glial cells and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the central canal of the spinal cord. Finally, peripheral serum cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Compared with the SCI group, the SCI+KD group exhibited reduced inflammatory infiltration, preserved myelin, and functional recovery. Specifically, the early arrest of α-synuclein inhibited the pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-2 and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-10, TGF-β, and IL-4. The neuroinflammatory response was regulated by reduced proliferation of Iba1+ microglia/macrophages and promotion of the shift of M1-polarized Iba1+/iNOS+ microglia/macrophages to M2-polarized Iba1+/Arg1+ microglia/macrophages after injury. In addition, compared with the SCI group, the SCI+KD group also exhibited a smaller microglia/astrocyte (Iba1/GFAP) immunostaining area in the central canal, lower MMP-9 expression, and improved cerebrospinal barrier function. Conclusion Lentivirus-mediated downregulation of α-synuclein reduces neuroinflammation, improves blood-cerebrospinal barrier function, promotes functional recovery, reduces microglial activation, and promotes the polarization of M1 microglia/macrophages to an M2 phenotype to confer a neuroprotective immune microenvironment in rats with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan-Yan Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hua-Yi Xing
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Xie Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Gao-Yan La
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Meng-Jie Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Mou-Wang Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191, China.
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13
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Melatonin Enhances Autophagy and Reduces Apoptosis to Promote Locomotor Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Neurochem Res 2019. [PMID: 31325156 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02838-w.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to neuronal death resulting in central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction; however, the pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Melatonin (MT), a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, is associated with neuroprotective effects against SCI. Enhanced autophagy can promote the recovery of locomotor function and reduce apoptosis after SCI. Interestingly, MT increases autophagy in SCI in vivo. Nevertheless, the ability of MT to increase autophagy and decrease apoptosis, and the potential effects on the recovery of motor neurons in the anterior horn after SCI remain to be clarified. In this study, we discovered that MT treatment improved motor function recovery in a rat SCI model. Indeed, MT upregulated the expression of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), while expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was downregulated after SCI. Additionally, MT increased the expression of autophagy-activating proteins, while the expression of apoptosis-activating proteins in neurons was decreased following SCI. Furthermore, autophagy was inhibited, while apoptosis was induced in SCI model rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary neurons by treatment with MT, the PI3K inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin (Rapa). Collectively, our results suggest that MT can improve the recovery of locomotor function by enhancing autophagy as well as reducing apoptosis after SCI in rats, probably via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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14
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Li Y, Guo Y, Fan Y, Tian H, Li K, Mei X. Melatonin Enhances Autophagy and Reduces Apoptosis to Promote Locomotor Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:2007-2019. [PMID: 31325156 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02838-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to neuronal death resulting in central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction; however, the pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Melatonin (MT), a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, is associated with neuroprotective effects against SCI. Enhanced autophagy can promote the recovery of locomotor function and reduce apoptosis after SCI. Interestingly, MT increases autophagy in SCI in vivo. Nevertheless, the ability of MT to increase autophagy and decrease apoptosis, and the potential effects on the recovery of motor neurons in the anterior horn after SCI remain to be clarified. In this study, we discovered that MT treatment improved motor function recovery in a rat SCI model. Indeed, MT upregulated the expression of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), while expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was downregulated after SCI. Additionally, MT increased the expression of autophagy-activating proteins, while the expression of apoptosis-activating proteins in neurons was decreased following SCI. Furthermore, autophagy was inhibited, while apoptosis was induced in SCI model rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary neurons by treatment with MT, the PI3K inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin (Rapa). Collectively, our results suggest that MT can improve the recovery of locomotor function by enhancing autophagy as well as reducing apoptosis after SCI in rats, probably via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanlong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China.,Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Yue Fan
- Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - He Tian
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Kuo Li
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Xifan Mei
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China.
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15
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Herrera-Vaquero M, Bouquio D, Kallab M, Biggs K, Nair G, Ochoa J, Heras-Garvin A, Heid C, Hadrovic I, Poewe W, Wenning GK, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G, Stefanova N. The molecular tweezer CLR01 reduces aggregated, pathologic, and seeding-competent α-synuclein in experimental multiple system atrophy. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:165513. [PMID: 31319154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal, adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that has no cure and very limited treatment options. MSA is characterized by deposition of fibrillar α-synuclein (α-syn) in glial cytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes. Similar to other synucleinopathies, α-syn self-assembly is thought to be a key pathologic event and a prominent target for disease modification in MSA. Molecular tweezers are broad-spectrum nanochaperones that prevent formation of toxic protein assemblies and enhance their clearance. The current lead compound, CLR01, has been shown to inhibit α-syn aggregation but has not yet been tested in the context of MSA. To fill this gap, here, we conducted a proof-of-concept study to assess the efficacy of CLR01 in remodeling MSA-like α-syn pathology in the PLP-α-syn mouse model of MSA. Six-month-old mice received intracerebroventricular CLR01 (0.3 or 1 mg/kg per day) or vehicle for 32 days. Open-field test revealed a significant, dose-dependent amelioration of an anxiety-like phenotype. Subsequently, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses showed dose-dependent reduction of pathological and seeding-competent forms of α-syn, which correlated with the behavioral phenotype. CLR01 treatment also promoted dopaminergic neuron survival in the substantia nigra. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an agent that reduces formation of putative high-molecular-weight oligomers and seeding-competent α-syn in a mouse model of MSA, supporting the view that these species are key to the neurodegenerative process and its cell-to-cell progression in MSA. Our study suggests that CLR01 is an attractive therapeutic candidate for disease modification in MSA and related synucleinopathies, supporting further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Herrera-Vaquero
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Danielle Bouquio
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kallab
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Karl Biggs
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gayatri Nair
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Ochoa
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antonio Heras-Garvin
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Heid
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Inesa Hadrovic
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Werner Poewe
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gregor K Wenning
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.
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16
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Amanat M, Vaccaro AR. Reducing alpha-synuclein in spinal cord injury: A new strategy of treatment. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:729-732. [PMID: 30916814 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Man Amanat
- Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alexander R Vaccaro
- Department of Orthopaedics, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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17
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Sobrido-Cameán D, Robledo D, Sánchez L, Rodicio MC, Barreiro-Iglesias A. Serotonin inhibits axonal regeneration of identifiable descending neurons after a complete spinal cord injury in lampreys. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.037085. [PMID: 30709851 PMCID: PMC6398502 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.037085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical neurotransmitters are mainly known for their roles as neuromodulators, but they also play important roles in the control of developmental and regenerative processes. Here, we used the lamprey model of spinal cord injury to study the effect of serotonin in axon regeneration at the level of individually identifiable descending neurons. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations after a complete spinal cord injury showed that endogenous serotonin inhibits axonal regeneration in identifiable descending neurons through the activation of serotonin 1A receptors and a subsequent decrease in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. RNA sequencing revealed that changes in the expression of genes that control axonal guidance could be a key factor determining the serotonin effects during regeneration. This study provides new targets of interest for research in non-regenerating mammalian models of traumatic central nervous system injuries and extends the known roles of serotonin signalling during neuronal regeneration.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Pharmacological and genetic manipulations show that endogenous serotonin inhibits axonal regeneration of individually identifiable descending neurons of lampreys after a complete spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sobrido-Cameán
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Diego Robledo
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Genetics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - María Celina Rodicio
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antón Barreiro-Iglesias
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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18
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Hanslik KL, Allen SR, Harkenrider TL, Fogerson SM, Guadarrama E, Morgan JR. Regenerative capacity in the lamprey spinal cord is not altered after a repeated transection. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0204193. [PMID: 30699109 PMCID: PMC6353069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The resilience of regeneration in vertebrates is not very well understood. Yet understanding if tissues can regenerate after repeated insults, and identifying limitations, is important for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of tissue plasticity. This is particularly challenging in tissues, such as the nervous system, which possess a large number of terminally differentiated cells and often exhibit limited regeneration in the first place. However, unlike mammals, which exhibit very limited regeneration of spinal cord tissues, many non-mammalian vertebrates, including lampreys, bony fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, regenerate their spinal cords and functionally recover even after a complete spinal cord transection. It is well established that lampreys undergo full functional recovery of swimming behaviors after a single spinal cord transection, which is accompanied by tissue repair at the lesion site, as well as axon and synapse regeneration. Here we begin to explore the resilience of spinal cord regeneration in lampreys after a second spinal transection (re-transection). We report that by all functional and anatomical measures tested, lampreys regenerate after spinal re-transection just as robustly as after single transections. Recovery of swimming, synapse and cytoskeletal distributions, axon regeneration, and neuronal survival were nearly identical after spinal transection or re-transection. Only minor differences in tissue repair at the lesion site were observed in re-transected spinal cords. Thus, regenerative potential in the lamprey spinal cord is largely unaffected by spinal re-transection, indicating a greater persistent regenerative potential than exists in some other highly regenerative models. These findings establish a new path for uncovering pro-regenerative targets that could be deployed in non-regenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra L Hanslik
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Scott R Allen
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tessa L Harkenrider
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephanie M Fogerson
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eduardo Guadarrama
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennifer R Morgan
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
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19
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GABA promotes survival and axonal regeneration in identifiable descending neurons after spinal cord injury in larval lampreys. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:663. [PMID: 29950557 PMCID: PMC6021415 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0704-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The poor regenerative capacity of descending neurons is one of the main causes of the lack of recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Thus, it is of crucial importance to find ways to promote axonal regeneration. In addition, the prevention of retrograde degeneration leading to the atrophy/death of descending neurons is an obvious prerequisite to activate axonal regeneration. Lampreys show an amazing regenerative capacity after SCI. Recent histological work in lampreys suggested that GABA, which is massively released after a SCI, could promote the survival of descending neurons. Here, we aimed to study if GABA, acting through GABAB receptors, promotes the survival and axonal regeneration of descending neurons of larval sea lampreys after a complete SCI. First, we used in situ hybridization to confirm that identifiable descending neurons of late-stage larvae express the gabab1 subunit of the GABAB receptor. We also observed an acute increase in the expression of this subunit in descending neurons after SCI, which further supported the possible role of GABA and GABAB receptors in promoting the survival and regeneration of these neurons. So, we performed gain and loss of function experiments to confirm this hypothesis. Treatments with GABA and baclofen (GABAB agonist) significantly reduced caspase activation in descending neurons 2 weeks after a complete SCI. Long-term treatments with GABOB (a GABA analogue) and baclofen significantly promoted axonal regeneration of descending neurons after SCI. These data indicate that GABAergic signalling through GABAB receptors promotes the survival and regeneration of descending neurons after SCI. Finally, we used morpholinos against the gabab1 subunit to knockdown the expression of the GABAB receptor in descending neurons. Long-term morpholino treatments caused a significant inhibition of axonal regeneration. This shows that endogenous GABA promotes axonal regeneration after a complete SCI in lampreys by activating GABAB receptors.
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20
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Sobrido-Cameán D, Barreiro-Iglesias A. Role of Caspase-8 and Fas in Cell Death After Spinal Cord Injury. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:101. [PMID: 29666570 PMCID: PMC5891576 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes the death of neurons and glial cells due to the initial mechanical forces (i.e., primary injury) and through a cascade of secondary molecular events (e.g., inflammation or excitotoxicity) that exacerbate cell death. The loss of neurons and glial cells that are not replaced after the injury is one of the main causes of disability after SCI. Evidence accumulated in last decades has shown that the activation of apoptotic mechanisms is one of the factors causing the death of intrinsic spinal cord (SC) cells following SCI. Although this is not as clear for brain descending neurons, some studies have also shown that apoptosis can be activated in the brain following SCI. There are two main apoptotic pathways, the extrinsic and the intrinsic pathways. Activation of caspase-8 is an important step in the initiation of the extrinsic pathway. Studies in rodents have shown that caspase-8 is activated in SC glial cells and neurons and that the Fas receptor plays a key role in its activation following a traumatic SCI. Recent work in the lamprey model of SCI has also shown the retrograde activation of caspase-8 in brain descending neurons following SCI. Here, we review our current knowledge on the role of caspase-8 and the Fas pathway in cell death following SCI. We also provide a perspective for future work on this process, like the importance of studying the possible contribution of Fas/caspase-8 signaling in the degeneration of brain neurons after SCI in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sobrido-Cameán
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antón Barreiro-Iglesias
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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21
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Herman PE, Papatheodorou A, Bryant SA, Waterbury CKM, Herdy JR, Arcese AA, Buxbaum JD, Smith JJ, Morgan JR, Bloom O. Highly conserved molecular pathways, including Wnt signaling, promote functional recovery from spinal cord injury in lampreys. Sci Rep 2018; 8:742. [PMID: 29335507 PMCID: PMC5768751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18757-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to dramatic losses in neurons and synaptic connections, and consequently function. Unlike mammals, lampreys are vertebrates that undergo spontaneous regeneration and achieve functional recovery after SCI. Therefore our goal was to determine the complete transcriptional responses that occur after SCI in lampreys and to identify deeply conserved pathways that promote regeneration. We performed RNA-Seq on lamprey spinal cord and brain throughout the course of functional recovery. We describe complex transcriptional responses in the injured spinal cord, and somewhat surprisingly, also in the brain. Transcriptional responses to SCI in lampreys included transcription factor networks that promote peripheral nerve regeneration in mammals such as Atf3 and Jun. Furthermore, a number of highly conserved axon guidance, extracellular matrix, and proliferation genes were also differentially expressed after SCI in lampreys. Strikingly, ~3% of differentially expressed transcripts belonged to the Wnt pathways. These included members of the Wnt and Frizzled gene families, and genes involved in downstream signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of Wnt signaling inhibited functional recovery, confirming a critical role for this pathway. These data indicate that molecular signals present in mammals are also involved in regeneration in lampreys, supporting translational relevance of the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Herman
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Disease, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Angelos Papatheodorou
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Disease, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Stephanie A Bryant
- University of Kentucky, Department of Biology, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | | | - Joseph R Herdy
- University of Kentucky, Department of Biology, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Anthony A Arcese
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Disease, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jeramiah J Smith
- University of Kentucky, Department of Biology, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Jennifer R Morgan
- Marine Biological Laboratory, The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA.
| | - Ona Bloom
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Disease, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
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22
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Retrograde Activation of the Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway in Spinal-Projecting Neurons after a Complete Spinal Cord Injury in Lampreys. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:5953674. [PMID: 29333445 PMCID: PMC5733621 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5953674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that leads to permanent disability because injured axons do not regenerate across the trauma zone to reconnect to their targets. A prerequisite for axonal regeneration will be the prevention of retrograde degeneration that could lead to neuronal death. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of axotomy-induced degeneration of spinal-projecting neurons have not been elucidated yet. In lampreys, SCI induces the apoptotic death of identifiable descending neurons that are “bad regenerators/poor survivors” after SCI. Here, we investigated the apoptotic process activated in identifiable descending neurons of lampreys after SCI. For this, we studied caspase activation by using fluorochrome-labeled inhibitors of caspases, the degeneration of spinal-projecting neurons using Fluro-Jade C staining, and the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by means of cytochrome c and Vα double immunofluorescence. Our results provide evidence that, after SCI, bad-regenerating spinal cord-projecting neurons slowly degenerate and that the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis is involved in this process. Experiments using the microtubule stabilizer Taxol showed that caspase-8 signaling is retrogradely transported by microtubules from the site of axotomy to the neuronal soma. Preventing the activation of this process could be an important therapeutic approach after SCI in mammals.
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Richter F, Subramaniam SR, Magen I, Lee P, Hayes J, Attar A, Zhu C, Franich NR, Bove N, De La Rosa K, Kwong J, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Chesselet MF, Bitan G. A Molecular Tweezer Ameliorates Motor Deficits in Mice Overexpressing α-Synuclein. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:1107-1119. [PMID: 28585223 PMCID: PMC5722755 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant accumulation and self-assembly of α-synuclein are tightly linked to several neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopathies, including idiopathic Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Deposition of fibrillar α-synuclein as insoluble inclusions in affected brain cells is a pathological hallmark of synucleinopathies. However, water-soluble α-synuclein oligomers may be the actual culprits causing neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in synucleinopathies. Accordingly, therapeutic approaches targeting the toxic α-synuclein assemblies are attractive for these incurable disorders. The "molecular tweezer" CLR01 selectively remodels abnormal protein self-assembly through reversible binding to Lys residues. Here, we treated young male mice overexpressing human wild-type α-synuclein under control of the Thy-1 promoter (Thy1-aSyn mice) with CLR01 and examined motor behavior and α-synuclein in the brain. Intracerebroventricular administration of CLR01 for 28 days to the mice improved motor dysfunction in the challenging beam test and caused a significant decrease of buffer-soluble α-synuclein in the striatum. Proteinase-K-resistant, insoluble α-synuclein deposits remained unchanged in the substantia nigra, whereas levels of diffuse cytoplasmic α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons increased in mice receiving CLR01 compared with vehicle. More moderate improvement of motor deficits was also achieved by subcutaneous administration of CLR01, in 2/5 trials of the challenging beam test and in the pole test, which requires balance and coordination. The data support further development of molecular tweezers as therapeutic agents for synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Richter
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sudhakar R Subramaniam
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Iddo Magen
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Lee
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jane Hayes
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aida Attar
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chunni Zhu
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas R Franich
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Bove
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Krystal De La Rosa
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacky Kwong
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marie-Françoise Chesselet
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Xu N, Bitan G, Schrader T, Klärner FG, Osinska H, Robbins J. Inhibition of Mutant αB Crystallin-Induced Protein Aggregation by a Molecular Tweezer. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.117.006182. [PMID: 28862927 PMCID: PMC5586456 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.006182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Compromised protein quality control causes the accumulation of misfolded proteins and intracellular aggregates, contributing to cardiac disease and heart failure. The development of therapeutics directed at proteotoxicity‐based pathology in heart disease is just beginning. The molecular tweezer CLR01 is a broad‐spectrum inhibitor of abnormal self‐assembly of amyloidogenic proteins, including amyloid β‐protein, tau, and α‐synuclein. This small molecule interferes with aggregation by binding selectively to lysine side chains, changing the charge distribution of aggregation‐prone proteins and thereby disrupting aggregate formation. However, the effects of CLR01 in cardiomyocytes undergoing proteotoxic stress have not been explored. Here we assess whether CLR01 can decrease cardiac protein aggregation catalyzed by cardiomyocyte‐specific expression of mutated αB‐crystallin (CryABR120G). Methods and Results A proteotoxic model of desmin‐related cardiomyopathy caused by cardiomyocyte‐specific expression of CryABR120G was used to test the efficacy of CLR01 therapy in the heart. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were infected with adenovirus expressing either wild‐type CryAB or CryABR120G. Subsequently, the cells were treated with different doses of CLR01 or a closely related but inactive derivative, CLR03. CLR01 decreased aggregate accumulation and attenuated cytotoxicity caused by CryABR120G expression in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas CLR03 had no effect. Ubiquitin‐proteasome system function was analyzed using a ubiquitin‐proteasome system reporter protein consisting of a short degron, CL1, fused to the COOH‐terminus of green fluorescent protein. CLR01 improved proteasomal function in CryABR120G cardiomyocytes but did not alter autophagic flux. In vivo, CLR01 administration also resulted in reduced protein aggregates in CryABR120G transgenic mice. Conclusions CLR01 can inhibit CryABR120G aggregate formation and decrease cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes undergoing proteotoxic stress, presumably through clearance of the misfolded protein via increased proteasomal function. CLR01 or related compounds may be therapeutically useful in treating the pathogenic sequelae resulting from proteotoxic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Xu
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, CA
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Hanna Osinska
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Jeffrey Robbins
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
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Schrader T, Bitan G, Klärner FG. Molecular tweezers for lysine and arginine - powerful inhibitors of pathologic protein aggregation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:11318-34. [PMID: 27546596 PMCID: PMC5026632 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc04640a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular tweezers represent the first class of artificial receptor molecules that have made the way from a supramolecular host to a drug candidate with promising results in animal tests. Due to their unique structure, only lysine and arginine are well complexed with exquisite selectivity by a threading mechanism, which unites electrostatic, hydrophobic and dispersive attraction. However, tweezer design must avoid self-dimerization, self-inclusion and external guest binding. Moderate affinities of molecular tweezers towards sterically well accessible basic amino acids with fast on and off rates protect normal proteins from potential interference with their biological function. However, the early stages of abnormal Aβ, α-synuclein, and TTR assembly are redirected upon tweezer binding towards the generation of amorphous non-toxic materials that can be degraded by the intracellular and extracellular clearance mechanisms. Thus, specific host-guest chemistry between aggregation-prone proteins and lysine/arginine binders rescues cell viability and restores animal health in models of AD, PD, and TTR amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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26
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A simple solution for antibody signal enhancement in immunofluorescence and triple immunogold assays. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 146:421-30. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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