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Forloni G. Alpha Synuclein: Neurodegeneration and Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065914. [PMID: 36982988 PMCID: PMC10059798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) is one of the most important molecules involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and related disorders, synucleinopathies, but also in several other neurodegenerative disorders with a more elusive role. This review analyzes the activities of α-Syn, in different conformational states, monomeric, oligomeric and fibrils, in relation to neuronal dysfunction. The neuronal damage induced by α-Syn in various conformers will be analyzed in relation to its capacity to spread the intracellular aggregation seeds with a prion-like mechanism. In view of the prominent role of inflammation in virtually all neurodegenerative disorders, the activity of α-Syn will also be illustrated considering its influence on glial reactivity. We and others have described the interaction between general inflammation and cerebral dysfunctional activity of α-Syn. Differences in microglia and astrocyte activation have also been observed when in vivo the presence of α-Syn oligomers has been combined with a lasting peripheral inflammatory effect. The reactivity of microglia was amplified, while astrocytes were damaged by the double stimulus, opening new perspectives for the control of inflammation in synucleinopathies. Starting from our studies in experimental models, we extended the perspective to find useful pointers to orient future research and potential therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
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Evolution of conformation and thermal properties of bovine hides collagen in the sodium sulphide solution. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Forloni G, La Vitola P, Balducci C. Oligomeropathies, inflammation and prion protein binding. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:822420. [PMID: 36081661 PMCID: PMC9445368 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.822420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role of oligomers, small soluble aggregates of misfolded proteins, in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders is recognized in numerous experimental conditions and is compatible with clinical evidence. To underline this concept, some years ago we coined the term oligomeropathies to define the common mechanism of action of protein misfolding diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson or prion diseases. Using simple experimental conditions, with direct application of synthetic β amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers intraventricularly at micromolar concentrations, we could detect differences and similarities in the biological consequences. The two oligomer species affected cognitive behavior, neuronal dysfunction and cerebral inflammatory reactions with distinct mechanisms. In these experimental conditions the proposed mediatory role of cellular prion protein in oligomer activities was not confirmed. Together with oligomers, inflammation at different levels can be important early in neurodegenerative disorders; both β amyloid and α-synuclein oligomers induce inflammation and its control strongly affects neuronal dysfunction. This review summarizes our studies with β-amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers, also considering the potential curative role of doxycycline, a well-known antibiotic with anti-amyloidogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. These actions are analyzed in terms of the therapeutic prospects.
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NPT1220-312, a TLR2/TLR9 Small Molecule Antagonist, Inhibits Pro-Inflammatory Signaling, Cytokine Release, and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation. Int J Inflam 2022; 2022:2337363. [PMID: 35265316 PMCID: PMC8898874 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2337363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in innate immune system responses to damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). A growing body of evidence suggests that excessive TLR-mediated innate immune system activation can lead to neuronal damage and precipitate or perpetuate neurodegenerative diseases. Among TLR subtypes, both TLR2 and TLR9 have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders with increased expression of these receptors in the central nervous system being associated with pro-inflammatory signaling and increased burdens of pathologic aggregated proteins. In the current study, we characterized the actions of a combined TLR2/TLR9 antagonist, NPT1220-312, on pro-inflammatory signaling and cytokine release in monocyte/macrophage-derived heterologous cells, human microglia, and murine and human whole blood. NPT1220-312 potently blocked TLR2- and TLR9-mediated release of inflammatory cytokines in monocyte/macrophage cells and in human microglia. NPT1220-312 also blocked TLR2-mediated activation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome including IL-1β, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) release to the culture medium of human differentiated macrophages. The ability of NPT1220-312 to inhibit TLR2 mediated pro-inflammatory release of chemokines and cytokines in situ was demonstrated using murine and human whole blood. Together, these findings suggest that blockade of TLR2 and TLR9 may reduce inappropriate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from peripheral and central immune cells and thus potentially provide therapeutic benefit in neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative disorders.
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Jos S, Gogoi H, Prasad TK, Hurakadli MA, Kamariah N, Padmanabhan B, Padavattan S. Molecular insights into α-synuclein interaction with individual human core histones, linker histone, and dsDNA. Protein Sci 2021; 30:2121-2131. [PMID: 34382268 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) plays a key role in Parkinson's disease (PD). The αS nuclear role, its binding affinity and specificity to histones and dsDNA remains unknown. Here, we have measured the binding affinity ( K d ) between αS wild-type (wt) and PD-specific αS S129-phosphorylation mimicking (S129E) mutant with full-length and flexible tail truncated individual core histones (H2a, H2b, H3, and H4), linker histone (H1), and carried out αS-dsDNA interaction studies. This study revealed that αS(wt) interacts specifically with N-terminal flexible tails of histone H3, H4, and flexible tails of H1. The αS(S129E) mutant recognizes histones similar to αS(wt) but binds with higher affinity. Intriguingly, αS(S129E) showed a binding affinity for control proteins (bovine serum albumin and lysozyme), while no interaction was seen for αS(wt). Based on our above observation, we contemplate that the physio-chemical properties of αS with S129-phosphorylation has changed compared to αS(wt), resulting in interaction for other proteins, which is the basis for Lewy body formation. Besides, this study showed αS binding to dsDNA is weak and nonspecific. Overall, αS specificity for histone binding suggests that its nuclear role is possibly driven through histone interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Jos
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Hemanga Gogoi
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Thazhe Kootteri Prasad
- Center for Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Manjunath A Hurakadli
- Center for Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Neelagandan Kamariah
- Center for Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Balasundaram Padmanabhan
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Sivaraman Padavattan
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
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Drobny A, Ngo PA, Neurath MF, Zunke F, López-Posadas R. Molecular Communication Between Neuronal Networks and Intestinal Epithelial Cells in Gut Inflammation and Parkinson's Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:655123. [PMID: 34368179 PMCID: PMC8339315 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.655123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation, are common in Parkinson's disease patients. These clinical signs normally appear years before the diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease, preceding the occurrence of motor manifestations. Moreover, it is postulated that Parkinson's disease might originate in the gut, due to a response against the intestinal microbiota leading to alterations in alpha-synuclein in the intestinal autonomic nervous system. Transmission of this protein to the central nervous system is mediated potentially via the vagus nerve. Thus, deposition of aggregated alpha-synuclein in the gastrointestinal tract has been suggested as a potential prodromal diagnostic marker for Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, hallmarks of chronic intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease, such as dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability, are also observed in Parkinson's disease patients. Additionally, alpha-synuclein accumulations were detected in the gut of Crohn's disease patients. Despite a solid association between neurodegenerative diseases and gut inflammation, it is not clear whether intestinal alterations represent cause or consequence of neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut in the context of Parkinson's disease and intestinal dysfunction/inflammation as present in inflammatory bowel disease. Further, we focus on the contribution of intestinal epithelium, the communication between intestinal epithelial cells, microbiota, immune and neuronal cells, as well as mechanisms causing alterations of epithelial integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Drobny
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Phuong A Ngo
- Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friederike Zunke
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Kumar S, Kumar R, Kumari M, Kumari R, Saha S, Bhavesh NS, Maiti TK. Ellagic Acid Inhibits α-Synuclein Aggregation at Multiple Stages and Reduces Its Cytotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1919-1930. [PMID: 34015214 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a natively unfolded protein and its deposition in the Lewy body and Lewy neurites in the substantia nigra region of the brain is linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). The molecular mechanisms of α-synuclein aggregation and its clearance have not been well understood. Until now, several strategies have been designed to inhibit α-synuclein aggregation and related cytotoxicity. Polyphenols, small molecules, synthetic peptides, and peptide-derived molecules have been considered as potential candidates that inhibit α-synuclein oligomerization and its fibrillation, and a few of them are in clinical trials. We have identified a polyphenolic compound ellagic acid (EA) that inhibits α-synuclein aggregation. Our results demonstrated that EA inhibits primary nucleation, seeded aggregation, and membrane-induced aggregation. The cytotoxicity of α-synuclein oligomers and fibers treated with EA has been investigated and we found that EA treated oligomers and fibrils showed reduced cytotoxicity. Additionally, we also observed inhibition of membrane binding of α-synuclein by EA in SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, the present study suggests that small molecules such as ellagic acid have anti-amyloidogenic properties and may have therapeutic potential for Parkinson's disease and other proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Roshan Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Manisha Kumari
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Raniki Kumari
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Sandhini Saha
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Neel Sarovar Bhavesh
- Transcription Regulation Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Tushar Kanti Maiti
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
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