1
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Zhou L, Chen W, Jiang S, Xu R. In Vitro Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3783-3799. [PMID: 37870685 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01423-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is one of the commonest neurodegenerative diseases of adult-onset, which is characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. The dysfunction and death of motor neurons lead to the progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, spasticity and ultimately the whole paralysis of body. Despite the identification of several genetic mutations associated with the pathogenesis of ALS, including mutations in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 leading to the abnormal expansion of GGGGCC repeat sequence, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and TANK-binding kinase 1, the exact mechanisms underlying the specific degeneration of motor neurons that causes ALS remain incompletely understood. At present, since the transgenic model expressed SOD1 mutants was established, multiple in vitro models of ALS have been developed for studying the pathology, pathophysiology and pathogenesis of ALS as well as searching the effective neurotherapeutics. This review reviewed the details of present established in vitro models used in studying the pathology, pathophysiology and pathogenesis of ALS. Meanwhile, we also discussed the advantages, disadvantages, cost and availability of each models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Wenzhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shishi Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China.
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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2
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Is There Justification to Treat Neurodegenerative Disorders by Repurposing Drugs? The Case of Alzheimer's Disease, Lithium, and Autophagy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010189. [PMID: 33375448 PMCID: PMC7795249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium is the prototype mood-stabilizer used for acute and long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. Cumulated translational research of lithium indicated the drug's neuroprotective characteristics and, thereby, has raised the option of repurposing it as a drug for neurodegenerative diseases. Lithium's neuroprotective properties rely on its modulation of homeostatic mechanisms such as inflammation, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis. This myriad of intracellular responses are, possibly, consequences of the drug's inhibition of the enzymes inositol-monophosphatase (IMPase) and glycogen-synthase-kinase (GSK)-3. Here we review lithium's neurobiological properties as evidenced by its neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties, as well as translational studies in cells in culture, in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in patients, discussing the rationale for the drug's use in the treatment of AD.
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3
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Toricelli M, Evangelista SR, Buck HS, Viel TA. Microdose Lithium Treatment Reduced Inflammatory Factors and Neurodegeneration in Organotypic Hippocampal Culture of Old SAMP-8 Mice. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:1509-1520. [PMID: 32642922 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It was already shown that microdoses of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) promoted memory stabilization in humans and mice. Prolonged treatment also reduced neuronal loss and increased the density of the neurotrophin BDNF in transgenic mice for Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether lithium ions affect inflammatory profiles and neuronal integrity in an animal model of accelerated senescence (SAMP-8). Organotypic hippocampal cultures obtained from 11 to 12-month-old SAMP-8 mice were treated with 2 µM, 20 µM and 200 µM Li2CO3. 2 µM Li2CO3 promoted a significant reduction in propidium iodide uptake in the CA2 area of hippocampus, whereas 20 µM promoted neuroprotection in the CA3 and GrDG areas. 200 µM caused an increase in cellular death, showing toxicity. Measured with quantitative PCR, IL-1α, IL-6 and MIP-1B/CCL-4 gene expression was significantly reduced with 20 µM Li2CO3, whereas IL-10 gene expression was significantly increased with the same concentration. In addition, 2 µM and 20 µM Li2CO3 were also effective in reducing the activation of NFkB and inflammatory cytokines densities, as evaluated by ELISA. It is concluded that very low doses of Li2CO3 can play an important role in neuroprotection as it can reduce neuronal loss and neuroinflammation in older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Toricelli
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Hudson Sousa Buck
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tania Araujo Viel
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Aging, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Limanaqi F, Busceti CL, Biagioni F, Cantini F, Lenzi P, Fornai F. Cell-Clearing Systems Bridging Repeat Expansion Proteotoxicity and Neuromuscular Junction Alterations in ALS and SBMA. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114021. [PMID: 32512809 PMCID: PMC7312203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coordinated activities of autophagy and the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) are key to preventing the aggregation and toxicity of misfold-prone proteins which manifest in a number of neurodegenerative disorders. These include proteins which are encoded by genes containing nucleotide repeat expansions. In the present review we focus on the overlapping role of autophagy and the UPS in repeat expansion proteotoxicity associated with chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) and androgen receptor (AR) genes, which are implicated in two motor neuron disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), respectively. At baseline, both C9ORF72 and AR regulate autophagy, while their aberrantly-expanded isoforms may lead to a failure in both autophagy and the UPS, further promoting protein aggregation and toxicity within motor neurons and skeletal muscles. Besides proteotoxicity, autophagy and UPS alterations are also implicated in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) alterations, which occur early in both ALS and SBMA. In fact, autophagy and the UPS intermingle with endocytic/secretory pathways to regulate axonal homeostasis and neurotransmission by interacting with key proteins which operate at the NMJ, such as agrin, acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), and adrenergic beta2 receptors (B2-ARs). Thus, alterations of autophagy and the UPS configure as a common hallmark in both ALS and SBMA disease progression. The findings here discussed may contribute to disclosing overlapping molecular mechanisms which are associated with a failure in cell-clearing systems in ALS and SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.L.); (F.C.); (P.L.)
| | | | - Francesca Biagioni
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (C.L.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Federica Cantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.L.); (F.C.); (P.L.)
| | - Paola Lenzi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.L.); (F.C.); (P.L.)
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.L.); (F.C.); (P.L.)
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (C.L.B.); (F.B.)
- Correspondence:
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5
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mTOR-Related Cell-Clearing Systems in Epileptic Seizures, an Update. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051642. [PMID: 32121250 PMCID: PMC7084443 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that autophagy impairment is implicated in the epileptogenic mechanisms downstream of mTOR hyperactivation. This holds true for a variety of genetic and acquired epileptic syndromes besides malformations of cortical development which are classically known as mTORopathies. Autophagy suppression is sufficient to induce epilepsy in experimental models, while rescuing autophagy prevents epileptogenesis, improves behavioral alterations, and provides neuroprotection in seizure-induced neuronal damage. The implication of autophagy in epileptogenesis and maturation phenomena related to seizure activity is supported by evidence indicating that autophagy is involved in the molecular mechanisms which are implicated in epilepsy. In general, mTOR-dependent autophagy regulates the proliferation and migration of inter-/neuronal cortical progenitors, synapse development, vesicular release, synaptic plasticity, and importantly, synaptic clustering of GABAA receptors and subsequent excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain. Similar to autophagy, the ubiquitin–proteasome system is regulated downstream of mTOR, and it is implicated in epileptogenesis. Thus, mTOR-dependent cell-clearing systems are now taking center stage in the field of epilepsy. In the present review, we discuss such evidence in a variety of seizure-related disorders and models. This is expected to provide a deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying seizure activity.
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Wu Q, Zhang M, Liu X, Zhang J, Wang H. CB2R orchestrates neuronal autophagy through regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus of developing rats with status epilepticus. Int J Mol Med 2019; 45:475-484. [PMID: 31894322 PMCID: PMC6984801 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal loss and gliosis are the major pathological changes after status epilepticus (SE). The authors' previous study revealed the time-dependent changes of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) in hippocampal neurons of developing rats after SE, which were accompanied by a decrease in the number of neurons. Meanwhile, growing evidence indicates that CB2R stimulation exerts anti-convulsant properties in seizure models. However, the activation of CB2R in neuronal repair in response to the damage after SE is still unclear. In this experiment, a highly-selective CB2R agonist JWH133 and antagonist AM630 were administered to determine the activity of CB2R in neuronal autophagy and apoptosis of the post-SE repair in developing rats. The present results revealed that activation of CB2R by JWH133, not only obviously lowered the success rate, 24-h death rate and the Racine stage in the model, but also extended the latency period to SE. In addition, compared with the vehicle control group, CB2R activation increased neuronal autophagy and the expression of phosphorylated-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR)/mTOR, Beclin-1, and LC3II/LC3I while decreasing the expression of p-Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK-1)/ULK1, p62, and cleaved caspase-3. These results were dose-dependent and were especially evident in the high-dose group, and interestingly the opposite results were obtained in the AM630 group. Thus, CB2R orchestrates neuronal autophagy through regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus of developing rats with SE. These findings might provide an important basis for further investigation of the therapeutic role of CB2R in ameliorating epilepsy-related neuronal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, P.R. China
| | - Xueyan Liu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Junmei Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
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7
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Limanaqi F, Biagioni F, Ryskalin L, Busceti CL, Fornai F. Molecular Mechanisms Linking ALS/FTD and Psychiatric Disorders, the Potential Effects of Lithium. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:450. [PMID: 31680867 PMCID: PMC6797817 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered proteostasis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, abnormal unfolded protein response (UPR), mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy impairment are interconnected events, which contribute to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In recent years, the mood stabilizer lithium was shown to potentially modify ALS/FTD beyond mood disorder-related pathology. The effects of lithium are significant in ALS patients carrying genetic variations in the UNC13 presynaptic protein, which occur in ALS/FTD and psychiatric disorders as well. In the brain, lithium modulates a number of biochemical pathways involved in synaptic plasticity, proteostasis, and neuronal survival. By targeting UPR-related events, namely ER stress, excitotoxicity and autophagy dysfunction, lithium produces plastic effects. These are likely to relate to neuroprotection, which was postulated for mood and motor neuron disorders. In the present manuscript, we try to identify and discuss potential mechanisms through which lithium copes concomitantly with ER stress, UPR and autophagy dysfunctions related to UNC13 synaptic alterations and aberrant RNA and protein processing. This may serve as a paradigm to provide novel insights into the neurobiology of ALS/FTD featuring early psychiatric disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Larisa Ryskalin
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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8
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Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Activation on a Pentylenetetrazole-Kindling Rat Model. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9050108. [PMID: 31091715 PMCID: PMC6562858 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9050108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To study the possible anti-seizure and neuroprotective effect of glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP1) analogue (liraglutide) in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced kindled rat model and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into 3 equal groups; i) Normal group: normal rats received normal saline, ii) PTZ (kindling) group: received PTZ (50 mg/Kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)) every other day for 2 weeks and iii) PTZ + GLP1 group: same as the PTZ group but rats received liraglutide (75 µg/kg i.p. daily) for 2 weeks before PTZ injection. Seizure severity score, seizure latency and duration were assessed. Also, the expression of caspase-3 (apoptotic marker) and β-catenin (Wnt pathway) by western blotting, markers of oxidative stress (GSH, CAT and MDA) by biochemical assay and the expression of LC3 (marker of autophagy) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) by immunostaining were assessed in hippocampal regions of brain tissues. Results: PTZ caused a significant increase in Racine score and seizure duration with a significant decrease in seizure latency. These effects were associated with a significant increase in MDA, β-catenin, caspase-3, Hsp70 and LC3 in brain tissues (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, liraglutide treatment caused significant attenuation in PTZ-induced seizures, which were associated with significant improvement in markers of oxidative stress, reduction in LC3, caspase-3 and β-catenin and marked increase in Hsp70 in hippocampal regions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Activation of GLP1R might have anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects against PTZ-induced epilepsy. These effects could be due to suppression of oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy and upregulation of Hsp70.
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Extrinsic Apoptosis Pathway Altered by Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 β Inhibitor Influences the Net Drug Effect on NSC-34 Motor Neuron-Like Cell Survival. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:4163839. [PMID: 29082245 PMCID: PMC5610847 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4163839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitors have been suggested as a core regulator of apoptosis and have been investigated as therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, GSK-3β has an interesting paradoxical effect of being proapoptotic during mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptosis but antiapoptotic during death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptosis. We assessed the effect of low to high doses of a GSK-3β inhibitor on survival and apoptosis of the NSC-34 motor neuron-like cell line after serum withdrawal. Then, we identified changes in extrinsic apoptosis markers, including Fas, Fas ligand, cleaved caspase-8, p38α, and the Fas-Daxx interaction. The GSK-3β inhibitor had an antiapoptotic effect at the low dose but was proapoptotic at the high dose. Proapoptotic effect at the high dose can be explained by increased signals in cleaved caspase-8 and the motor neuron-specific p38α and Fas-Daxx interaction. Our results suggest that GSK-3β inhibitor dose may determine the summation effect of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. The extrinsic apoptosis pathway might be another therapeutic target for developing a potential GSK-3β inhibitor.
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Bgatova NP, Gavrilova YS, Lykov AP, Solovieva AO, Makarova VV, Borodin YI, Konenkov VI. Apoptosis and autophagy in hepatocarcinoma cells induced by different forms of lithium salts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990519x17040022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Khan MS, Ali T, Abid MN, Jo MH, Khan A, Kim MW, Yoon GH, Cheon EW, Rehman SU, Kim MO. Lithium ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity in the cortex and hippocampus of the adult rat brain. Neurochem Int 2017; 108:343-354. [PMID: 28511952 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lithium an effective mood stabilizer, primary used in the treatment of bipolar disorders, has been reported as a protective agent in various neurological disorders. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective role of lithium chloride (LiCl) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the cortex and hippocampus of the adult rat brain. We determined that LiCl -attenuated LPS-induced activated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling and significantly reduced the nuclear factor-kB (NF-KB) translation factor and various other inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We also analyzed that LiCl significantly abrogated activated gliosis via attenuation of specific markers for activated microglia, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Iba-1) and astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in both the cortex and hippocampus of the adult rat brain. Furthermore, we also observed that LiCl treatment significantly ameliorated the increase expression level of apoptotic neurodegeneration protein markers Bax/Bcl2, activated caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in the cortex and hippocampus regions of the LPS-treated adult rat brain. In addition, the morphological results of the fluoro-jade B (FJB) and Nissl staining showed that LiCl attenuated the neuronal degeneration in the cortex and hippocampus regions of the LPS-treated adult rat brain. Taken together, our Western blot and morphological results indicated that LiCl significantly prevents the LPS-induced neurotoxicity via attenuation of neuroinflammation and apoptotic neurodegeneration in the cortex and hippocampus of the adult rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sohail Khan
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Tahir Ali
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Muhammad Noman Abid
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeung Hoon Jo
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Amjad Khan
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Woo Kim
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Ho Yoon
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Woo Cheon
- Department of Food Science, International University of Korea, Jinju, 660-759, Republic of Korea
| | - Shafiq Ur Rehman
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeong Ok Kim
- Division of Life Science and Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Gamez J, Salvado M, Martínez de la Ossa A, Badia M. Litio para el tratamiento de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: mucho ruido para nada. Neurologia 2016; 31:550-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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13
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Gamez J, Salvado M, Martínez de la Ossa A, Badia M. Lithium for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Much ado about nothing. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2013.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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14
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Therapeutic progress in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-beginning to learning. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 121:903-917. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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15
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Galluzzi L, Bravo-San Pedro JM, Blomgren K, Kroemer G. Autophagy in acute brain injury. Nat Rev Neurosci 2016; 17:467-84. [PMID: 27256553 DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2016.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily ancient mechanism that ensures the lysosomal degradation of old, supernumerary or ectopic cytoplasmic entities. Most eukaryotic cells, including neurons, rely on proficient autophagic responses for the maintenance of homeostasis in response to stress. Accordingly, autophagy mediates neuroprotective effects following some forms of acute brain damage, including methamphetamine intoxication, spinal cord injury and subarachnoid haemorrhage. In some other circumstances, however, the autophagic machinery precipitates a peculiar form of cell death (known as autosis) that contributes to the aetiology of other types of acute brain damage, such as neonatal asphyxia. Here, we dissect the context-specific impact of autophagy on non-infectious acute brain injury, emphasizing the possible therapeutic application of pharmacological activators and inhibitors of this catabolic process for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Equipe 11 Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France.,INSERM, U1138, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, 75006 Paris, France.,Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - José Manuel Bravo-San Pedro
- Equipe 11 Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France.,INSERM, U1138, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, 75006 Paris, France.,Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Klas Blomgren
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital Q2:07, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe 11 Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France.,INSERM, U1138, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, 75006 Paris, France.,Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital Q2:07, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, 94805 Villejuif, France.,Pôle de Biologie, Hopitâl Européen George Pompidou, AP-HP, 75015 Paris, France
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16
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Zhou X, da Li W, Yuan BL, Niu LJ, Yang XY, Zhou ZB, Chen XH, Feng X. Lithium Treatment Prevents Apoptosis in Neonatal Rat Hippocampus Resulting from Sevoflurane Exposure. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:1993-2005. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1909-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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17
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Natale G, Lenzi P, Lazzeri G, Falleni A, Biagioni F, Ryskalin L, Fornai F. Compartment-dependent mitochondrial alterations in experimental ALS, the effects of mitophagy and mitochondriogenesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:434. [PMID: 26594150 PMCID: PMC4635226 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by massive loss of motor neurons. Data from ALS patients and experimental models indicate that mitochondria are severely damaged within dying or spared motor neurons. Nonetheless, recent data indicate that mitochondrial preservation, although preventing motor neuron loss, fails to prolong lifespan. On the other hand, the damage to motor axons plays a pivotal role in determining both lethality and disease course. Thus, in the present article each motor neuron compartment (cell body, central, and peripheral axons) of G93A SOD-1 mice was studied concerning mitochondrial alterations as well as other intracellular structures. We could confirm the occurrence of ALS-related mitochondrial damage encompassing total swelling, matrix dilution and cristae derangement along with non-pathological variations of mitochondrial size and number. However, these alterations occur to a different extent depending on motor neuron compartment. Lithium, a well-known autophagy inducer, prevents most pathological changes. However, the efficacy of lithium varies depending on which motor neuron compartment is considered. Remarkably, some effects of lithium are also evident in wild type mice. Lithium is effective also in vitro, both in cell lines and primary cell cultures from the ventral spinal cord. In these latter cells autophagy inhibition within motor neurons in vitro reproduced ALS pathology which was reversed by lithium. Muscle and glial cells were analyzed as well. Cell pathology was mostly severe within peripheral axons and muscles of ALS mice. Remarkably, when analyzing motor axons of ALS mice a subtotal clogging of axoplasm was described for the first time, which was modified under the effects of lithium. The effects induced by lithium depend on several mechanisms such as direct mitochondrial protection, induction of mitophagy and mitochondriogenesis. In this study, mitochondriogenesis induced by lithium was confirmed in situ by a novel approach using [2-3H]-adenosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Natale
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Italy
| | - Paola Lenzi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Italy
| | - Gloria Lazzeri
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Italy
| | - Alessandra Falleni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Italy
| | | | - Larisa Ryskalin
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Italy ; I.R.C.C.S., Neuromed Pozzilli, Italy
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de Pedro N, Cantizani J, Ortiz-López FJ, González-Menéndez V, Cautain B, Rodríguez L, Bills GF, Reyes F, Genilloud O, Vicente F. Protective effects of isolecanoric acid on neurodegenerative in vitro models. Neuropharmacology 2015; 101:538-48. [PMID: 26455662 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by loss of dopaminergic or motor neurons, respectively. Although understanding of the PD and ALS pathogenesis remains incomplete, increasing evidence from human and animal studies has suggested that aberrant GSK3β, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are involved in their pathogenesis. Using two different molecular models, treatment with L-BMAA for ALS and rotenone for PD the effect of isolecanoric acid, a natural product isolated from a fungal culture, was evaluated. Pre-treatment with this molecule caused inhibition of GSK3β and CK1, and a decrease in oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, apoptosis and cell death. Taken together, these results indicated that isolecanoric acid might have a protective effect against the development of these neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria de Pedro
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan Cantizani
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Victor González-Menéndez
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Bastien Cautain
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Lorena Rodríguez
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Gerald F Bills
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, United States
| | - Fernando Reyes
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Olga Genilloud
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisca Vicente
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. Conocimiento 34, 18016 Granada, Spain
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Pandamooz S, Nabiuni M, Miyan J, Ahmadiani A, Dargahi L. Organotypic Spinal Cord Culture: a Proper Platform for the Functional Screening. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:4659-74. [PMID: 26310972 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9403-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent improvements in organotypic slice culturing and its accompanying technological innovations have made this biological preparation increasingly useful ex vivo experimental model. Among organotypic slice cultures obtained from various central nervous regions, spinal cord slice culture is an absorbing model that represents several unique advantages over other current in vitro and in vivo models. The culture of developing spinal cord slices, as allows real-time observation of embryonic cells behaviors, is an instrumental platform for developmental investigation. Importantly, due to the ability of ex vivo models to recapitulate different aspects of corresponding in vivo conditions, these models have been subject of various manipulations to derive disease-relevant slice models. Moreover spinal cord slice cultures represent a potential platform for screening of different pharmacological agents and evaluation of cell transplantation and neuroregenerative materials. In this review, we will focus on studies carried out using the ex vivo model of spinal cord slice cultures and main advantages linked to practicality of these slices in both normal and neuropathological diseases and summarize them in different categories based on application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Pandamooz
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nabiuni
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jaleel Miyan
- Neurobiology Research Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Abolhassan Ahmadiani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Dargahi
- NeuroBiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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20
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Nishida F, Zanuzzi CN, Martínez A, Barbeito CG, Portiansky EL. Functional and histopathological changes induced by intraparenchymal injection of kainic acid in the rat cervical spinal cord. Neurotoxicology 2015; 49:68-78. [PMID: 26014486 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Kainic acid (KA) is an analog of the neurotransmitter glutamate and is widely used as an excitotoxic agent to lesion spinal cord networks, thus, providing an interesting model to learn basic mechanisms of spinal cord injury. The present work was aimed to evaluate motor and sensory performance of rats and analyze morphometric parameters of spinal cord neurons after KA injection. Animals were injected either with 0.75, 1 or 1.25 mM of KA at the C5 segment of the cervical spinal cord. Motor and sensory performance of the rats were evaluate at day 0 (before injection) and at days 1, 2, 3 and 7 post-injection (pi) and compared with those of saline-treated and non-operated animals. Animals were sacrificed at each time point for morphometric and histopathological analysis and compared among groups. All KA-treated animals showed a significant impairment at the motor and sensory tests for the ipsilateral forelimb in a concentration-dependent manner in comparison to saline-treated and non-operated animals. Neuronal cell count showed a significant loss of neurons at C4, C5 and C6 cervical segments when compared with those of saline-treated and non-operated animals. The contralateral side of the cervical segments in KA-treated rats remained unchanged. Some improvement at the motor and sensory tests was observed in animals injected with 0.75 and 1mM KA. Moreover, a mild increase in the neuronal count of the damaged segments was also recorded. The improvement recorded in the motor and sensory tests by day 7 pi may be a consequence of a neuron repairing mechanism triggered soon after the KA excitotoxic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián Nishida
- Image Analysis Laboratory, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Research Council of Science and Technology (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Carolina N Zanuzzi
- Image Analysis Laboratory, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Research Council of Science and Technology (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Agustín Martínez
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Bariloche, Argentina.
| | - Claudio G Barbeito
- Image Analysis Laboratory, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Research Council of Science and Technology (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Enrique L Portiansky
- Image Analysis Laboratory, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Research Council of Science and Technology (CONICET), Argentina.
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Liechti FD, Stüdle N, Theurillat R, Grandgirard D, Thormann W, Leib SL. The mood-stabilizer lithium prevents hippocampal apoptosis and improves spatial memory in experimental meningitis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113607. [PMID: 25409333 PMCID: PMC4237452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal meningitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Brain damage caused by this disease is characterized by apoptosis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, a morphological correlate of learning deficits in experimental paradigms. The mood stabilizer lithium has previously been found to attenuate brain damage in ischemic and inflammatory diseases of the brain. An infant rat model of pneumococcal meningitis was used to investigate the neuroprotective and neuroregenerative potential of lithium. To assess an effect on the acute disease, LiCl was administered starting five days prior to intracisternal infection with live Streptococcus pneumoniae. Clinical parameters were recorded, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sampled, and the animals were sacrificed 42 hours after infection to harvest the brain and serum. Cryosections of the brains were stained for Nissl substance to quantify brain injury. Hippocampal gene expression of Bcl-2, Bax, p53, and BDNF was analyzed. Lithium concentrations were measured in serum and CSF. The effect of chronic lithium treatment on spatial memory function and cell survival in the dentate gyrus was evaluated in a Morris water maze and by quantification of BrdU incorporation after LiCl treatment during 3 weeks following infection. In the hippocampus, LiCl significantly reduced apoptosis and gene expression of Bax and p53 while it increased expression of Bcl-2. IL-10, MCP-1, and TNF were significantly increased in animals treated with LiCl compared to NaCl. Chronic LiCl treatment improved spatial memory in infected animals. The mood stabilizer lithium may thus be a therapeutic alternative to attenuate neurofunctional deficits as a result of pneumococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian D. Liechti
- Neuroinfection Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Stüdle
- Neuroinfection Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Regula Theurillat
- Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Denis Grandgirard
- Neuroinfection Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Thormann
- Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen L. Leib
- Neuroinfection Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Biology Division, Spiez Laboratory, Swiss Federal Office for Civil Protection, Spiez, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Giorgi FS, Biagioni F, Lenzi P, Frati A, Fornai F. The role of autophagy in epileptogenesis and in epilepsy-induced neuronal alterations. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 122:849-62. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1312-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Plastic changes in the spinal cord in motor neuron disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:670756. [PMID: 24829911 PMCID: PMC4009217 DOI: 10.1155/2014/670756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the present paper, we analyze the cell number within lamina X at the end stage of disease in a G93A mouse model of ALS; the effects induced by lithium; the stem-cell like phenotype of lamina X cells during ALS; the differentiation of these cells towards either a glial or neuronal phenotype. In summary we found that G93A mouse model of ALS produces an increase in lamina X cells which is further augmented by lithium administration. In the absence of lithium these nestin positive stem-like cells preferentially differentiate into glia (GFAP positive), while in the presence of lithium these cells differentiate towards a neuron-like phenotype (βIII-tubulin, NeuN, and calbindin-D28K positive). These effects of lithium are observed concomitantly with attenuation in disease progression and are reminiscent of neurogenetic effects induced by lithium in the subependymal ventricular zone of the hippocampus.
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24
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Meffre D, Grenier J, Bernard S, Courtin F, Dudev T, Shackleford G, Jafarian-Tehrani M, Massaad C. Wnt and lithium: a common destiny in the therapy of nervous system pathologies? Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1123-48. [PMID: 23749084 PMCID: PMC11113114 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1378-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is required for neurogenesis, the fate of neural progenitors, the formation of neuronal circuits during development, neuron positioning and polarization, axon and dendrite development and finally for synaptogenesis. This signaling pathway is also implicated in the generation and differentiation of glial cells. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of action of Wnt signaling pathways and their implication in the development and correct functioning of the nervous system. We also illustrate how a dysregulated Wnt pathway could lead to psychiatric, neurodegenerative and demyelinating pathologies. Lithium, used for the treatment of bipolar disease, inhibits GSK3β, a central enzyme of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, lithium could, to some extent, mimic Wnt pathway. We highlight the possible dialogue between lithium therapy and modulation of Wnt pathway in the treatment of the diseases of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Meffre
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Julien Grenier
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Sophie Bernard
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Françoise Courtin
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Todor Dudev
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 11529 Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1 James Bourchier Avenue, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Charbel Massaad
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
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Boll MC, Bayliss L, Vargas-Cañas S, Burgos J, Montes S, Peñaloza-Solano G, Rios C, Alcaraz-Zubeldia M. Clinical and biological changes under treatment with lithium carbonate and valproic acid in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2014; 340:103-8. [PMID: 24667005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of lithium carbonate and valproate cotreatment to modify the survival rate and functional score of patients with definite sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The clinical response of 18 enrolled patients was compared to the evolution of 31 ALS out-patients, carefully paired by age, gender, evolution rate and time of the disease, who never received treatment with lithium and/or valproate. The ALS functional rating scale, revised version (ALSFRS-R), was applied at baseline, 1 month, and every 4 months until the outcome (death or an adverse event). Biochemical markers, such as Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and reduced glutathione were assayed in plasma samples obtained at the baseline visit and after 5 and 9 months of treatment. Our results showed that lithium and valproate cotreatment significantly increased survival (p=0.016), and this treatment also exerted neuroprotection in our patients because all three markers reached levels that were not significantly different from the matched samples of healthy donors. The trial stopped after 21 months, when the sample was reduced to under two-thirds, due to the late adverse events of the treatment. The results call for large randomized clinical trials with the dual association, but at low doses to avoid adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Catherine Boll
- Clinical Investigation Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México; Nerve and Muscle Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Leo Bayliss
- Clinical Investigation Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Steven Vargas-Cañas
- Nerve and Muscle Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Jorge Burgos
- Department of Neurophysiology, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Sergio Montes
- Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Guillermo Peñaloza-Solano
- Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Camilo Rios
- Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
| | - Mireya Alcaraz-Zubeldia
- Department of Neurochemistry, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", México, D.F., México.
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Pandya RS, Zhu H, Li W, Bowser R, Friedlander RM, Wang X. Therapeutic neuroprotective agents for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:4729-45. [PMID: 23864030 PMCID: PMC4172456 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1415-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal chronic neurodegenerative disease whose hallmark is proteinaceous, ubiquitinated, cytoplasmic inclusions in motor neurons and surrounding cells. Multiple mechanisms proposed as responsible for ALS pathogenesis include dysfunction of protein degradation, glutamate excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. It is therefore essential to gain a better understanding of the underlying disease etiology and search for neuroprotective agents that might delay disease onset, slow progression, prolong survival, and ultimately reduce the burden of disease. Because riluzole, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment, prolongs the ALS patient's life by only 3 months, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed. In this review, we focus on studies of various small pharmacological compounds targeting the proposed pathogenic mechanisms of ALS and discuss their impact on disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachna S. Pandya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Haining Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Robert Bowser
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013 USA
| | - Robert M. Friedlander
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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Dachs E, Piedrafita L, Hereu M, Esquerda J, Calderó J. Chronic treatment with lithium does not improve neuromuscular phenotype in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy. Neuroscience 2013; 250:417-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Chiu CT, Wang Z, Hunsberger JG, Chuang DM. Therapeutic potential of mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid: beyond bipolar disorder. Pharmacol Rev 2013; 65:105-42. [PMID: 23300133 PMCID: PMC3565922 DOI: 10.1124/pr.111.005512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid (VPA) are traditionally used to treat bipolar disorder (BD), a severe mental illness arising from complex interactions between genes and environment that drive deficits in cellular plasticity and resiliency. The therapeutic potential of these drugs in other central nervous system diseases is also gaining support. This article reviews the various mechanisms of action of lithium and VPA gleaned from cellular and animal models of neurologic, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical evidence is included when available to provide a comprehensive perspective of the field and to acknowledge some of the limitations of these treatments. First, the review describes how action at these drugs' primary targets--glycogen synthase kinase-3 for lithium and histone deacetylases for VPA--induces the transcription and expression of neurotrophic, angiogenic, and neuroprotective proteins. Cell survival signaling cascades, oxidative stress pathways, and protein quality control mechanisms may further underlie lithium and VPA's beneficial actions. The ability of cotreatment to augment neuroprotection and enhance stem cell homing and migration is also discussed, as are microRNAs as new therapeutic targets. Finally, preclinical findings have shown that the neuroprotective benefits of these agents facilitate anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, blood-brain barrier integrity, and disease-specific neuroprotection. These mechanisms can be compared with dysregulated disease mechanisms to suggest core cellular and molecular disturbances identifiable by specific risk biomarkers. Future clinical endeavors are warranted to determine the therapeutic potential of lithium and VPA across the spectrum of central nervous system diseases, with particular emphasis on a personalized medicine approach toward treating these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tso Chiu
- Molecular Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Herrando-Grabulosa M, Casas C, Aguilera J. The C-terminal domain of tetanus toxin protects motoneurons against acute excitotoxic damage on spinal cord organotypic cultures. J Neurochem 2012; 124:36-44. [PMID: 23106494 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Revised: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The C-terminal domain of tetanus toxin (Hc-TeTx) has been suggested to act as a neuroprotective agent by activating signaling pathways related to neurotrophins and also to exert anti-apoptotic effects. Here, we show the beneficial properties of the recombinant protein Hc-TeTx to protect spinal motoneurons against excitotoxic damage. In vitro spinal cord organotypic cultures were used to assess acute glutamate excitotoxic damage. Our results indicate that Hc-TeTx treatment improves motoneuron survival within a short therapeutical window (the first 2 h post-injury). Within this interval, we found that p44/p42 MAP kinase (ERK1/2) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3β) signaling pathways play a crucial role in the neuroprotective effect. Moreover, we demonstrated that Hc-TeTx treatment initiate autophagy which is ERK1/2- and GSK3β-dependent. These findings suggest a possible therapeutical tool to improve motoneuron survival immediately after excitotoxic insults or during the secondary injury phase that occurs after spinal cord trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Herrando-Grabulosa
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències and CIBERNED, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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30
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Chiu CT, Chuang DM. Neuroprotective action of lithium in disorders of the central nervous system. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2012; 36:461-76. [PMID: 21743136 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-7347.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Substantial in vitro and in vivo evidence of neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of lithium suggests that it may also have considerable potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. Lithium's main mechanisms of action appear to stem from its ability to inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity and also to induce signaling mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This in turn alters a wide variety of downstream effectors, with the ultimate effect of enhancing pathways to cell survival. In addition, lithium contributes to calcium homeostasis. By inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated calcium influx, for instance, it suppresses the calcium-dependent activation of pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. By inhibiting the activity of phosphoinositol phosphatases, it decreases levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, a process recently identified as a novel mechanism for inducing autophagy. These mechanisms allow therapeutic doses of lithium to protect neuronal cells from diverse insults that would otherwise lead to massive cell death. Lithium, moreover, has been shown to improve behavioral and cognitive deficits in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, and Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Since lithium is already FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder, our conclusions support the notion that its clinical relevance can be expanded to include the treatment of several neurological and neurodegenerative-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tso Chiu
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1363, Bethesda, MD 20892-1363, USA
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Forlenza OV, de Paula VJ, Machado-Vieira R, Diniz BS, Gattaz WF. Does lithium prevent Alzheimer's disease? Drugs Aging 2012; 29:335-42. [PMID: 22500970 DOI: 10.2165/11599180-000000000-00000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lithium salts have a well-established role in the treatment of major affective disorders. More recently, experimental and clinical studies have provided evidence that lithium may also exert neuroprotective effects. In animal and cell culture models, lithium has been shown to increase neuronal viability through a combination of mechanisms that includes the inhibition of apoptosis, regulation of autophagy, increased mitochondrial function, and synthesis of neurotrophic factors. In humans, lithium treatment has been associated with humoral and structural evidence of neuroprotection, such as increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes, inhibition of cellular oxidative stress, synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cortical thickening, increased grey matter density, and hippocampal enlargement. Recent studies addressing the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3B) by lithium have further suggested the modification of biological cascades that pertain to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A recent placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) showed that long-term lithium treatment may actually slow the progression of cognitive and functional deficits, and also attenuate Tau hyperphosphorylation in the MCI-AD continuum. Therefore, lithium treatment may yield disease-modifying effects in AD, both by the specific modification of its pathophysiology via inhibition of overactive GSK3B, and by the unspecific provision of neurotrophic and neuroprotective support. Although the clinical evidence available so far is promising, further experimentation and replication of the evidence in large scale clinical trials is still required to assess the benefit of lithium in the treatment or prevention of cognitive decline in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestes V Forlenza
- Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM-27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Role of autophagy inhibitors and inducers in modulating the toxicity of trimethyltin in neuronal cell cultures. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2012; 119:1295-305. [PMID: 22415064 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-012-0785-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Trimethyltin (TMT) is a triorganotin compound which determines neurodegeneration of specific brain areas particularly damaging the limbic system. Earlier ultrastructural studies indicated the formation of autophagic vacuoles in neurons after TMT intoxication. However, no evaluation has been attempted to determine the role of the autophagic pathway in TMT neurotoxicity. To assess the contribution of autophagy to TMT-induced neuronal cell death, we checked the vulnerability of neuronal cultures to TMT after activation or inhibition of autophagy. Our results show that autophagy inhibitors (3-methyladenine and L-asparagine) greatly enhanced TMT neurotoxicity. Conversely, known activators of autophagy, such as lithium and rapamycin, displayed neuroprotection against this toxic compound. Due to its diverse targets, the action of lithium was complex. When lithium was administered according to a chronic treatment protocol (6 days pretreatment) it was able to rescue both hippocampal and cortical neurons from TMT (or from glutamate toxicity used as reference). This effect was accompanied by an increased phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 which is a known target for lithium neuroprotection. If the pre-incubation time was reduced to 2 h (acute treatment protocol), lithium was still able to counteract TMT toxicity in hippocampal but not in cortical neurons. The neuroprotective effect of lithium acutely administered against TMT in hippocampal neurons can be completely reverted by an excess of inositol and is possibly related to the inactivation of inositol monophosphatase, a key regulator of autophagy. These data indicate that TMT neurotoxicity can be dramatically modified, at least in vitro, by lithium addition which seems to act through different mechanisms if acutely or chronically administered.
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Sala G, Tremolizzo L, Melchionda L, Stefanoni G, Derosa M, Susani E, Pagani A, Perini M, Pettini P, Tavernelli F, Zarcone D, Ferrarese C. A panel of macroautophagy markers in lymphomonocytes of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 13:119-24. [DOI: 10.3109/17482968.2011.611139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Chuang DM, Wang Z, Chiu CT. GSK-3 as a Target for Lithium-Induced Neuroprotection Against Excitotoxicity in Neuronal Cultures and Animal Models of Ischemic Stroke. Front Mol Neurosci 2011; 4:15. [PMID: 21886605 PMCID: PMC3152742 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2011.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mood stabilizer lithium inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) directly or indirectly by enhancing serine phosphorylation of both α and β isoforms. Lithium robustly protected primary brain neurons from glutamate-induced excitotoxicity; these actions were mimicked by other GSK-3 inhibitors or silencing/inhibiting GSK-3α and/or β isoforms. Lithium rapidly activated Akt to enhance GSK-3 serine phosphorylation and to block glutamate-induced Akt inactivation. Lithium also up-regulated Bcl-2 and suppressed glutamate-induced p53 and Bax. Induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was required for lithium’s neuroprotection to occur. BDNF promoter IV was activated by GSK-3 inhibition using lithium or other drugs, or through gene silencing/inactivation of either isoform. Further, lithium’s neuroprotective effects were associated with inhibition of NMDA receptor-mediated calcium influx and down-stream signaling. In rodent ischemic models, post-insult treatment with lithium decreased infarct volume, ameliorated neurological deficits, and improved functional recovery. Up-regulation of heat-shock protein 70 and Bcl-2 as well as down-regulation of p53 likely contributed to lithium’s protective effects. Delayed treatment with lithium improved functional MRI responses, which was accompanied by enhanced angiogenesis. Two GSK-3-regulated pro-angiogenic factors, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor were induced by lithium. Finally, lithium promoted migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by up-regulation of MMP-9 through GSK-3β inhibition. Notably, transplantation of lithium-primed MSCs into ischemic rats enhanced MSC migration to the injured brain regions and improved the neurological performance. Several other GSK-3 inhibitors have also been reported to be beneficial in rodent ischemic models. Together, GSK-3 inhibition is a rational strategy to combat ischemic stroke and other excitotoxicity-related brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Maw Chuang
- Molecular Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD, USA
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Ghrelin protects spinal cord motoneurons against chronic glutamate-induced excitotoxicity via ERK1/2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β pathways. Exp Neurol 2011; 230:114-22. [PMID: 21530509 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2010] [Revised: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Excitotoxic degeneration of spinal cord motoneurons has been proposed as a pathogenic mechanism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recently, we have reported that ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) 1a, functions as a neuroprotective factor in various animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, the potential neuroprotective effects of ghrelin against chronic glutamate-induced cell death were studied by exposing organotypic spinal cord cultures (OSCC) to threohydroxyaspartate (THA), as a model of excitotoxic motoneuron degeneration. Ghrelin receptor was expressed on spinal cord motoneurons. Exposure of OSCC to THA for 3 weeks resulted in a significant loss of motoneurons. However, THA-induced loss of motoneurons was significantly reduced by treatment of ghrelin. Exposure of OSCC to the receptor-specific antagonist D-Lys-3-GHRP-6 abolished the protective effect of ghrelin against THA. Treatment of spinal cord cultures with ghrelin caused rapid phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). The effect of ghrelin on motoneuron survival was blocked by the MEK inhibitor PD98059 and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. Taken together, these findings indicate that ghrelin has neuroprotective effects against chronic glutamate toxicity by activating the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and suggest that administration of ghrelin may have the potential therapeutic value for the prevention of motoneuron degeneration in human ALS. Our data also suggest that PI3K/Akt-mediated inactivation of GSK-3β in motoneurons contributes to the protective effect of ghrelin.
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Brief review of the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol Res Int 2011; 2011:205761. [PMID: 21603026 PMCID: PMC3096311 DOI: 10.1155/2011/205761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is known to affect a diverse range of biological functions controlling gene expression, cellular architecture, and apoptosis. GSK-3β has recently been identified as one of the important pathogenic mechanisms in motor neuronal death related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, the development of methods to control GSK-3β could be helpful in postponing the symptom progression of ALS. Here we discuss the known roles of GSK-3β in motor neuronal cell death in ALS and the possibility of employing GSK-3β modulators as a new therapeutic strategy.
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Moncrieff J. Questioning the 'neuroprotective' hypothesis: does drug treatment prevent brain damage in early psychosis or schizophrenia? Br J Psychiatry 2011; 198:85-7. [PMID: 21282776 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.085795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The idea that psychotic disorders are characterised by progressive neurodegeneration that can be reversed by drug treatment is used to justify early treatment of increasing numbers of mostly young people. I argue that there is little evidence to support the view that old- or new-generation antipsychotics are 'neuroprotective', and some evidence that the drugs themselves may be responsible for the decline in brain matter observed in some studies.
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Mazzone GL, Nistri A. Effect of the PARP-1 Inhibitor PJ 34 on Excitotoxic Damage Evoked by Kainate on Rat Spinal Cord Organotypic Slices. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2010; 31:469-78. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-010-9640-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Chiu CT, Chuang DM. Molecular actions and therapeutic potential of lithium in preclinical and clinical studies of CNS disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2010; 128:281-304. [PMID: 20705090 PMCID: PMC3167234 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lithium has been used clinically to treat bipolar disorder for over half a century, and remains a fundamental pharmacological therapy for patients with this illness. Although lithium's therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood, substantial in vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that it has neuroprotective/neurotrophic properties against various insults, and considerable clinical potential for the treatment of several neurodegenerative conditions. Evidence from pharmacological and gene manipulation studies support the notion that glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition and induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated signaling are lithium's main mechanisms of action, leading to enhanced cell survival pathways and alteration of a wide variety of downstream effectors. By inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated calcium influx, lithium also contributes to calcium homeostasis and suppresses calcium-dependent activation of pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. In addition, lithium decreases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate by inhibiting phosphoinositol phosphatases, a process recently identified as a novel mechanism for inducing autophagy. Through these mechanisms, therapeutic doses of lithium have been demonstrated to defend neuronal cells against diverse forms of death insults and to improve behavioral as well as cognitive deficits in various animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, as well as Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases, among others. Several clinical trials are also underway to assess the therapeutic effects of lithium for treating these disorders. This article reviews the most recent findings regarding the potential targets involved in lithium's neuroprotective effects, and the implication of these findings for the treatment of a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tso Chiu
- Molecular Neurobiology Section, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1363, Bethesda, MD 20892-1363, USA
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Luo J. Lithium-mediated protection against ethanol neurotoxicity. Front Neurosci 2010; 4:41. [PMID: 20661453 PMCID: PMC2907128 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2010.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 06/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium has long been used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder. Recent studies suggest that lithium has neuroprotective properties and may be useful in the treatment of acute brain injuries such as ischemia and chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. One of the most important neuroprotective properties of lithium is its anti-apoptotic action. Ethanol is a neuroteratogen and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are caused by maternal ethanol exposure during pregnancy. FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation. Ethanol exposure causes neuroapoptosis in the developing brain. Ethanol-induced loss of neurons in the central nervous system underlies many of the behavioral deficits observed in FASD. Excessive alcohol consumption is also associated with Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome and neurodegeneration in the adult brain. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that lithium is able to ameliorate ethanol-induced neuroapoptosis. Lithium is an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) which has recently been identified as a mediator of ethanol neurotoxicity. Lithium's neuroprotection may be mediated by its inhibition of GSK3. In addition, lithium also affects many other signaling proteins and pathways that regulate neuronal survival and differentiation. This review discusses the recent evidence of lithium-mediated protection against ethanol neurotoxicity and potential underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine Lexington, KY, USA
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