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Li J, Wu G, Li W, Zhou X, Li W, Xu X, Xu K, Cao R, Cui S. Plasma exosomes improve peripheral neuropathy via miR-20b-3p/Stat3 in type I diabetic rats. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:447. [PMID: 38001489 PMCID: PMC10675980 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes and the main cause of non-traumatic amputation, with no ideal treatment. Multiple cell-derived exosomes have been reported to improve the progression of DPN. Blood therapy is thought to have a powerful repairing effect. However, whether it could also improve DPN remains unclear. RESULTS In this study, we found that microRNA (miRNA) expression in plasma-derived exosomes of healthy rats (hplasma-exos) was significantly different from that of age-matched DPN rats. By injection of hplasma-exos into DPN rats, the mechanical sensitivity of DPN rats was decreased, the thermal sensitivity and motor ability were increased, and the nerve conduction speed was accelerated. Histological analysis showed myelin regeneration of the sciatic nerve, increased intraepidermal nerve fibers, distal local blood perfusion, and enhanced neuromuscular junction and muscle spindle innervation after hplasma-exos administration. Compared with plasma exosomes in DPN, miR-20b-3p was specifically enriched in exosomes of healthy plasma and was found to be re-upregulated in the sciatic nerve of DPN rats after hplasma-exos treatment. Moreover, miR-20b-3p agomir improved DPN symptoms to a level similar to hplasma-exos, both of which also alleviated autophagy impairment induced by high glucose in Schwann cells. Mechanistic studies found that miR-20b-3p targeted Stat3 and consequently reduced the amount of p-Stat3, which then negatively regulated autophagy processes and contributed to DPN improvement. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that miRNA of plasma exosomes was different between DPN and age-matched healthy rats. MiR-20b-3p was enriched in hplasma-exos, and both of them could alleviated DPN symptoms. MiR-20b-3p regulated autophagy of Schwann cells in pathological states by targeting Stat3 and thereby inhibited the progression of DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Li
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Guangzhi Wu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Weiye Li
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Xiongyao Zhou
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Weizhen Li
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Xiong Xu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Rangjuan Cao
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China.
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Third Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Shusen Cui
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration of Jilin Province, Changchun, China.
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Third Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Wang X, Wang M, Cai M, Shao R, Xia G, Zhao W. Miriplatin-loaded liposome, as a novel mitophagy inducer, suppresses pancreatic cancer proliferation through blocking POLG and TFAM-mediated mtDNA replication. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4477-4501. [PMID: 37969736 PMCID: PMC10638513 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a more aggressive and refractory malignancy. Resistance and toxicity limit drug efficacy. Herein, we report a lower toxic and higher effective miriplatin (MPt)-loaded liposome, LMPt, exhibiting totally different anti-cancer mechanism from previously reported platinum agents. Both in gemcitabine (GEM)-resistant/sensitive (GEM-R/S) pancreatic cancer cells, LMPt exhibits prominent anti-cancer activity, led by faster cellular entry-induced larger accumulation of MPt. The level of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) determines entry rate and switch of entry pathways of LMPt, indicating a novel role of Cav-1 in nanoparticle entry. After endosome-lysosome processing, in unchanged metabolite, MPt is released and targets mitochondria to enhance binding of mitochondria protease LONP1 with POLG and TFAM, to degrade POLG and TFAM. Then, via PINK1-Parkin axis, mitophagy is induced by POLG and TFAM degradation-initiated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication blocking. Additionally, POLG and TFAM are identified as novel prognostic markers of pancreatic cancer, and mtDNA replication-induced mitophagy blocking mediates their pro-cancer activity. Our findings reveal that the target of this liposomal platinum agent is mitochondria but not DNA (target of most platinum agents), and totally distinct mechanism of MPt and other formulations of MPt. Self-assembly offers LMPt special efficacy and mechanisms. Prominent action and characteristic mechanism make LMPt a promising cancer candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Antibiotic Bioengineering, Ministry of Health, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Pharmaceutics Department, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Mengyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Antibiotic Bioengineering, Ministry of Health, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Meilian Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Antibiotic Bioengineering, Ministry of Health, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Rongguang Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Antibiotic Bioengineering, Ministry of Health, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guimin Xia
- Pharmaceutics Department, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wuli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Antibiotic Bioengineering, Ministry of Health, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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Gao H, Findeis EL, Culmone L, Powell B, Landschoot-Ward J, Zacharek A, Wu T, Lu M, Chopp M, Venkat P. Early therapeutic effects of an Angiopoietin-1 mimetic peptide in middle-aged rats with vascular dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1180913. [PMID: 37304071 PMCID: PMC10248134 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1180913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular Dementia (VaD) refers to dementia caused by cerebrovascular disease and/or reduced blood flow to the brain and is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. We previously found that in middle-aged rats subjected to a multiple microinfarction (MMI) model of VaD, treatment with AV-001, a Tie2 receptor agonist, significantly improves short-term memory, long-term memory, as well as improves preference for social novelty compared to control MMI rats. In this study, we tested the early therapeutic effects of AV-001 on inflammation and glymphatic function in rats subjected to VaD. Methods Male, middle-aged Wistar rats (10-12 m), subjected to MMI, were randomly assigned to MMI and MMI + AV-001 treatment groups. A sham group was included as reference group. MMI was induced by injecting 800 ± 200, 70-100 μm sized, cholesterol crystals into the internal carotid artery. Animals were treated with AV-001 (1 μg/Kg, i.p.) once daily starting at 24 h after MMI. At 14 days after MMI, inflammatory factor expression was evaluated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain. Immunostaining was used to evaluate white matter integrity, perivascular space (PVS) and perivascular Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expression in the brain. An additional set of rats were prepared to test glymphatic function. At 14 days after MMI, 50 μL of 1% Tetramethylrhodamine (3 kD) and FITC conjugated dextran (500 kD) at 1:1 ratio were injected into the CSF. Rats (4-6/group/time point) were sacrificed at 30 min, 3 h, and 6 h from the start of tracer infusion, and brain coronal sections were imaged using a Laser scanning confocal microscope to evaluate tracer intensities in the brain. Result Treatment of MMI with AV-001 significantly improves white matter integrity in the corpus callosum at 14 days after MMI. MMI induces significant dilation of the PVS, reduces AQP4 expression and impairs glymphatic function compared to Sham rats. AV-001 treatment significantly reduces PVS, increases perivascular AQP4 expression and improves glymphatic function compared to MMI rats. MMI significantly increases, while AV-001 significantly decreases the expression of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine ligand 9) and anti-angiogenic factors (endostatin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, P-selectin) in CSF. MMI significantly increases, while AV-001 significantly reduces brain tissue expression of endostatin, thrombin, TNF-α, PAI-1, CXCL9, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Conclusion AV-001 treatment of MMI significantly reduces PVS dilation and increases perivascular AQP4 expression which may contribute to improved glymphatic function compared to MMI rats. AV-001 treatment significantly reduces inflammatory factor expression in the CSF and brain which may contribute to AV-001 treatment induced improvement in white matter integrity and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanjia Gao
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Lauren Culmone
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Brianna Powell
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Alex Zacharek
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Trueman Wu
- Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Mei Lu
- Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Poornima Venkat
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Culmone L, Powell B, Landschoot-Ward J, Zacharek A, Gao H, Findeis EL, Malik A, Lu M, Chopp M, Venkat P. Treatment With an Angiopoietin-1 Mimetic Peptide Improves Cognitive Outcome in Rats With Vascular Dementia. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:869710. [PMID: 35602559 PMCID: PMC9120946 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.869710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Vascular dementia (VaD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease affecting cognition and memory. There is a lack of approved pharmacological treatments specifically for VaD. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic effects of AV-001, a Tie2 receptor agonist, in middle-aged rats subjected to a multiple microinfarct (MMI) model of VaD. Methods Male, 10-12 month-old, Wistar rats were employed. The following experimental groups were used: Sham, MMI, MMI+1 μg/Kg AV-001, MMI+3 μg/Kg AV-001, MMI+6 μg/Kg AV-001. AV-001 treatment was initiated at 1 day after MMI and administered once daily via intraperitoneal injection. An investigator blinded to the experimental groups conducted a battery of neuro-cognitive tests including modified neurological severity score (mNSS) test, novel object recognition test, novel odor recognition test, three chamber social interaction test, and Morris water maze test. Rats were sacrificed at 6 weeks after MMI. Results There was no mortality observed after 1, 3, or 6 μg/Kg AV-001 treatment in middle-aged rats subjected to MMI. AV-001 treatment (1, 3, or 6 μg/Kg) does not significantly alter blood pressure or heart rate at 6 weeks after MMI compared to baseline values or the MMI control group. Treatment of MMI with 1 or 3 μg/Kg AV-001 treatment does not significantly alter body weight compared to Sham or MMI control group. While 6 μg/Kg AV-001 treated group exhibit significantly lower body weight compared to Sham and MMI control group, the weight loss is evident starting at 1 day after MMI when treatment was initiated and is not significantly different compared to its baseline values at day 0 or day 1 after MMI. AV-001 treatment significantly decreases serum alanine aminotransferase, serum creatinine, and serum troponin I levels compared to the MMI control group; however, all values are within normal range. MMI induces mild neurological deficits in middle-aged rats indicated by low mNSS scores (<6 on a scale of 0-18). Compared to control MMI group, 1 μg/Kg AV-001 treatment group did not exhibit significantly different mNSS scores, while 3 and 6 μg/Kg AV-001 treatment induced significantly worse mNSS scores on days 21-42 and 14-42 after MMI, respectively. MMI in middle-aged rats induces significant cognitive impairment including short-term memory loss, long-term memory loss, reduced preference for social novelty and impaired spatial learning and memory compared to sham control rats. Rats treated with 1 μg/Kg AV-001 exhibit significantly improved short-term and long-term memory, increased preference for social novelty, and improved spatial learning and memory compared to MMI rats. Treatment with 3 μg/Kg AV-001 improves short-term memory and preference for social novelty but does not improve long-term memory or spatial learning and memory compared to MMI rats. Treatment with 6 μg/Kg AV-001 improves only long-term memory compared to MMI rats. Thus, 1 μg/Kg AV-001 treatment was selected as an optimal dose. Treatment of middle-aged rats subjected to MMI with 1 μg/Kg AV-001 significantly increases axon density, myelin density and myelin thickness in the corpus callosum, as well as increases synaptic protein expression, neuronal branching and dendritic spine density in the cortex, oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell number in the cortex and striatum and promotes neurogenesis in the subventricular zone compared to control MMI rats. Conclusions In this study, we present AV-001 as a novel therapeutic agent to improve cognitive function and reduce white matter injury in middle aged-rats subjected to a MMI model of VaD. Treatment of MMI with 1 μg/Kg AV-001 significantly improves cognitive function, and increases axon density, remyelination and neuroplasticity in the brain of middle-aged rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Culmone
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Brianna Powell
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Alex Zacharek
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Huanjia Gao
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Ayesha Malik
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Mei Lu
- Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Poornima Venkat
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
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Zhang Y, Li C, Qin Y, Cepparulo P, Millman M, Chopp M, Kemper A, Szalad A, Lu X, Wang L, Zhang ZG. Small extracellular vesicles ameliorate peripheral neuropathy and enhance chemotherapy of oxaliplatin on ovarian cancer. J Extracell Vesicles 2021; 10:e12073. [PMID: 33728031 PMCID: PMC7931803 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are no effective treatments for chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) facilitate intercellular communication and mediate nerve function and tumour progression. We found that the treatment of mice bearing ovarian tumour with sEVs derived from cerebral endothelial cells (CEC-sEVs) in combination with a chemo-drug, oxaliplatin, robustly reduced oxaliplatin-induced CIPN by decreasing oxaliplatin-damaged myelination and nerve fibres of the sciatic nerve and significantly amplified chemotherapy of oxaliplatin by reducing tumour size. The combination therapy substantially increased a set of sEV cargo-enriched miRNAs, but significantly reduced oxaliplatin-increased proteins in the sciatic nerve and tumour tissues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the altered miRNAs and proteins formed two distinct networks that regulate neuropathy and tumour growth, respectively. Intravenously administered CEC-sEVs were internalized by axons of the sciatic nerve and cancer cells. Reduction of CEC-sEV cargo miRNAs abolished the effects of CEC-sEVs on oxaliplatin-inhibited axonal growth and on amplification of the anti-cancer effect in ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that alterations in the networks of miRNAs and proteins in recipient cells contribute to the therapeutic effect of CEC-sEVs on CIPN. Together, the present study demonstrates that CEC-sEVs suppressed CIPN and enhanced chemotherapy of oxaliplatin in the mouse bearing ovarian tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Chao Li
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | | | | | - Michael Chopp
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
- Department of PhysicsOakland UniversityRochesterMichiganUSA
| | - Amy Kemper
- Department of PathologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Alexandra Szalad
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Xuerong Lu
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of NeurologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroitMichiganUSA
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Xu X, Wang W, Wang Z, Lv J, Xu X, Xu J, Yang J, Zhu X, Lu Y, Duan W, Huang X, Wang J, Zhou J, Shen X. DW14006 as a Direct AMPKα Activator Ameliorates Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice. Diabetes 2020; 69:1974-1988. [PMID: 32647036 DOI: 10.2337/db19-1084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a long-term complication of diabetes with a complicated pathogenesis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) senses oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function plays a central role in the regulation of DPN. Here, we reported that DW14006 (2-[3-(7-chloro-6-[2'-hydroxy-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin-3-yl)phenyl]acetic acid) as a direct AMPKα activator efficiently ameliorated DPN in both streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 and BKS db/db type 2 diabetic mice. DW14006 administration highly enhanced neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion neurons and improved neurological function in diabetic mice. The underlying mechanisms have been intensively investigated. DW14006 treatment improved mitochondrial bioenergetics profiles and restrained oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic mice by targeting AMPKα, which has been verified by assay against the STZ-induced diabetic mice injected with adeno-associated virus 8-AMPKα-RNAi. To our knowledge, our work might be the first report on the amelioration of the direct AMPKα activator on DPN by counteracting multiple risk factors including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, and DW14006 has been highlighted as a potential leading compound in the treatment of DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengyu Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianlu Lv
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoju Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiawen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Juanzhen Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xialin Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhu Duan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaying Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinpei Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Wang L, Chopp M, Szalad A, Lu X, Zhang Y, Wang X, Cepparulo P, Lu M, Li C, Zhang ZG. Exosomes Derived From Schwann Cells Ameliorate Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Mice. Diabetes 2020; 69:749-759. [PMID: 31915154 PMCID: PMC7085247 DOI: 10.2337/db19-0432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Schwann cell-derived exosomes communicate with dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. The current study investigated the therapeutic effect of exosomes derived from healthy Schwann cells (SC-Exos) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We found that intravenous administration of SC-Exos to type 2 diabetic db/db mice with peripheral neuropathy remarkably ameliorated DPN by improving sciatic nerve conduction velocity and increasing thermal and mechanical sensitivity. These functional improvements were associated with the augmentation of epidermal nerve fibers and remyelination of sciatic nerves. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis of sciatic nerve tissues showed that SC-Exo treatment reversed diabetes-reduced mature form of miRNA (miR)-21, -27a, and -146a and diabetes-increased semaphorin 6A (SEMA6A); Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA); phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN); and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In vitro data showed that SC-Exos promoted neurite outgrowth of diabetic DRG neurons and migration of Schwann cells challenged by high glucose. Collectively, these novel data provide evidence that SC-Exos have a therapeutic effect on DPN in mice and suggest that SC-Exo modulation of miRs contributes to this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI
| | | | - XueRong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Xinli Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | | | - Mei Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
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Kassem KM, Vaid S, Peng H, Sarkar S, Rhaleb NE. Tβ4-Ac-SDKP pathway: Any relevance for the cardiovascular system? Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:589-599. [PMID: 30854877 PMCID: PMC6824425 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The last 20 years witnessed the emergence of the thymosin β4 (Tβ4)-N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) pathway as a new source of future therapeutic tools to treat cardiovascular and renal diseases. In this review article, we attempted to shed light on the numerous experimental findings pertaining to the many promising cardiovascular therapeutic avenues for Tβ4 and (or) its N-terminal derivative, Ac-SDKP. Specifically, Ac-SDKP is endogenously produced from the 43-amino acid Tβ4 by 2 successive enzymes, meprin α and prolyl oligopeptidase. We also discussed the possible mechanisms involved in the Tβ4-Ac-SDKP-associated cardiovascular biological effects. In infarcted myocardium, Tβ4 and Ac-SDKP facilitate cardiac repair after infarction by promoting endothelial cell migration and myocyte survival. Additionally, Tβ4 and Ac-SDKP have antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties in the arteries, heart, lungs, and kidneys, and stimulate both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis. The effects of Tβ4 can be mediated directly through a putative receptor (Ku80) or via its enzymatically released N-terminal derivative Ac-SDKP. Despite the localization and characterization of Ac-SDKP binding sites in myocardium, more studies are needed to fully identify and clone Ac-SDKP receptors. It remains promising that Ac-SDKP or its degradation-resistant analogs could serve as new therapeutic tools to treat cardiac, vascular, and renal injury and dysfunction to be used alone or in combination with the already established pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal M Kassem
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- b Internal Medicine Department, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA
| | - Sonal Vaid
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- c Internal Medicine Department, St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA
| | - Hongmei Peng
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Sarah Sarkar
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Nour-Eddine Rhaleb
- a Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- d Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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Romero CA, Carretero OA. Tubule-vascular feedback in renal autoregulation. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 316:F1218-F1226. [PMID: 30838873 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00381.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Afferent arteriole (Af-Art) diameter regulates pressure and flow into the glomerulus, which are the main determinants of the glomerular filtration rate. Thus, Af-Art resistance is crucial for Na+ filtration. Af-Arts play a role as integrative centers, where systemic and local systems interact to determine the final degree of resistance. The tubule of a single nephron contacts an Af-Art of the same nephron at two locations: in the transition of the thick ascending limb to the distal tubule (macula densa) and again in the connecting tubule. These two sites are the anatomic basis of two intrinsic feedback mechanisms: tubule-glomerular feedback and connecting tubule-glomerular feedback. The cross communications between the tubules and Af-Arts integrate tubular Na+ and water processing with the hemodynamic conditions of the kidneys. Tubule-glomerular feedback provides negative feedback that tends to avoid salt loss, and connecting tubule-glomerular feedback provides positive feedback that favors salt excretion by modulating tubule-glomerular feedback (resetting it) and increasing glomerular filtration rate. These feedback mechanisms are also exposed to systemic modulators (hormones and the nervous system); however, they can work in isolated kidneys or nephrons. The exaggerated activation or absence of any of these mechanisms may lead to disequilibrium in salt and water homeostasis, especially in extreme conditions (e.g., high-salt diet/low-salt diet) and may be part of the pathogenesis of some diseases. In this review, we focus on molecular signaling, feedback interactions, and the physiological roles of these two feedback mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A Romero
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital , Detroit, Michigan
| | - Oscar A Carretero
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital , Detroit, Michigan
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10
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Severa M, Zhang J, Giacomini E, Rizzo F, Etna MP, Cruciani M, Garaci E, Chopp M, Coccia EM. Thymosins in multiple sclerosis and its experimental models: moving from basic to clinical application. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019; 27:52-60. [PMID: 30317071 PMCID: PMC7104151 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2018.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) afflicts more than 2.5 million individuals worldwide and this number is increasing over time. Within the past years, a great number of disease-modifying treatments have emerged; however, efficacious treatments and a cure for MS await discovery. Thymosins, soluble hormone-like peptides produced by the thymus gland, can mediate immune and non-immune physiological processes and have gained interest in recent years as therapeutics in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. METHODS Pubmed was searched with no time constraints for articles using a combination of the keywords "thymosin/s" or "thymus factor/s" AND "multiple sclerosis", mesh terms with no language restriction. RESULTS Here, we review the state-of-the-art on the effects of thymosins on MS and its experimental models. In particular, we describe what is known in this field on the roles of thymosin-α1 (Tα1) and -β4 (Tβ4) as potential anti-inflammatory as well as neuroprotective and remyelinating molecules and their mechanisms of action. CONCLUSION Based on the data that Tα1 and Tβ4 act as anti-inflammatory molecules and as inducers of myelin repair and neuronal protection, respectively, a possible therapeutic application in MS for Tα1 and Tβ4 alone or combined with other approved drugs may be envisaged. This approach is reasonable in light of the current clinical usage of Tα1 and data demonstrating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Tβ4 in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Severa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Elena Giacomini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Rizzo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Paola Etna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Melania Cruciani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Garaci
- University San Raffaele and IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
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11
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Wang L, Chopp M, Lu X, Szalad A, Jia L, Liu XS, Wu KH, Lu M, Zhang ZG. miR-146a mediates thymosin β4 induced neurovascular remodeling of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type-II diabetic mice. Brain Res 2018; 1707:198-207. [PMID: 30500399 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes induces neurovascular dysfunction leading to peripheral neuropathy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) affect many biological processes and the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In the present study, we investigated whether thymosin-β4 (Tβ4) ameliorates diabetic peripheral neuropathy and whether miR-146a mediates the effect of Tβ4 on improved neurovascular function. Male Type II diabetic BKS. Cg-m+/+Leprdb/J (db/db) mice at age 20 weeks were treated with Tβ4 for 8 consecutive weeks, and db/db mice treated with saline were used as a control group. Compared to non-diabetic mice, diabetic mice exhibited substantially reduced miR-146a expression, and increased IL-1R-associated kinase-1 (IRAK1), tumor necrosis factor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) levels and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFkB) activity in sciatic nerve tissues. Treatment of diabetic mice with Tβ4 significantly elevated miR-146a levels and overcame the effect of diabetes on these proteins. Tβ4 treatment substantially improved motor and sensory conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve, which was associated with improvements in sensory function. Tβ4 treatment significantly increased intraepidermal nerve fiber density and augmented local blood flow and the density of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran perfused vessels in the sciatic nerve tissue. In vitro, treatment of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and mouse dermal endothelial cells (MDEs) with Tβ4 significantly increased axonal outgrowth and capillary-like tube formation, whereas blocking miR-146a attenuated Tβ4-induced axonal outgrowth and capillary tube formation, respectively. Our data indicate that miR-146a may mediate Tβ4-induced neurovascular remodeling in diabetic mice, by suppressing pro-inflammatory signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States.
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States; Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, United States
| | - XueRong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Alexandra Szalad
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - LongFei Jia
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Xian Shuang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Kuan-Han Wu
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Mei Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
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12
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Wang L, Chopp M, Szalad A, Lu X, Lu M, Zhang T, Zhang ZG. Angiopoietin-1/Tie2 signaling pathway contributes to the therapeutic effect of thymosin β4 on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Neurosci Res 2018; 147:1-8. [PMID: 30326249 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and its receptor Tie2 regulate vascular function. Our previous study demonstrated that thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) ameliorates neurological function of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Tβ4 on diabetic peripheral neuropathy have not been fully investigated. The present in vivo study investigated whether the Ang1/Tie2 signaling pathway is involved in Tβ4-improved neurovascular remodeling in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic BKS. Cg-m+/+Leprdb/J (db/db) mice at age 20 weeks were treated with Tβ4 and neutralizing antibody against mouse Tie2 for 4 consecutive weeks. Neurological functional and neurovascular remodeling were measured. Administration of the neutralizing antibody against Tie2 attenuated the therapeutic effect of Tβ4 on improved diabetic peripheral neuropathy as measured by motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and thermal hypoesthesia compared to diabetic db/db mice treated with Tβ4 only. Histopathological analysis revealed that the neutralizing antibody against Tie2 abolished Tβ4-increased microvascular density in sciatic nerve and intraepidermal nerve fiber density, which were associated with suppression of Tβ4-upregulated occludin expression and Tβ4-reduced protein levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1). Our data provide in vivo evidence that the Ang1/Tie2 pathway contributes to the therapeutic effect of Tβ4 on diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, USA.
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, USA; Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
| | | | - XueRong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, USA
| | - Mei Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Talan Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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13
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An Investigation on the Therapeutic Effect of Thymosin β4 and Its Expression Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:3421568. [PMID: 30225249 PMCID: PMC6129858 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3421568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) treatment was known to show the potential therapeutic effects on diabetic complications. This study was performed to determine if Tβ4 expression is changed in both serum and tissues under diabetic conditions and can be a serum biomarker. Type 1 diabetic mice were induced in C57/BL6J mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The mice were sacrificed at 16 weeks after STZ injection. Tissues and plasmas were obtained to determine the expression levels of Tβ4 using ELISA, real time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. The average serum glucose level was increased to approximately 400 mg/dL beginning 2 weeks after the five injections of STZ and lasting for at least 13 weeks until sacrifice. The plasma and tissue levels of Tβ4 in the age-matched control mice were not significantly different from those of the diabetic mice. In conclusion, the Tβ4 expression level in the plasmas and tissues of diabetic mice was not affected by diabetic conditions. It indirectly suggests that the therapeutic effect of Tβ4 on diabetic complications is due to its regenerative effects on damaged tissue but not to the changed expression level of Tβ4 in plasma and tissues of diabetes.
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14
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Zhang J, Zhang ZG, Lu M, Wang X, Shang X, Elias SB, Chopp M. MiR-146a promotes remyelination in a cuprizone model of demyelinating injury. Neuroscience 2017; 348:252-263. [PMID: 28237816 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The death of mature oligodendrocytes (OLs) which are the sole myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS), leads to demyelination and functional deficits. Currently, there is lack of effective remyelination therapies for patients with demyelinating diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate OL function. We hypothesized that miR-146a, by inactivating interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), promotes differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and thereby enhances remyelination. To test this hypothesis, a demyelination model induced by a cuprizone (CPZ) diet was employed, in which C57BL/6J mice were fed with a CPZ diet for 5weeks. After termination of CPZ diet, the mice were randomly treated with continuous infusion of miR-146a mimics or mimic controls into the corpus callosum for 7days. Compared to the mimic control, infusion of miR-146a mimics facilitated remyelination assessed by increased myelin basic proteins in the corpus callosum, which was associated with augmentation of newly generated mature OLs. Infusion of miR-146a mimics also substantially elevated miR-146a levels in the corpus callosum and fluorescently tagged miR-146a mimics were mainly detected in OPCs. Western blot and double immmunofluorescent staining analysis showed that the miR-146a treatment considerably reduced IRAK1 protein levels and the number of IRAK1-positive cells, respectively. Collectively, these data indicate that exogenous miR-146a enhances remyelination, possibly by promoting OPCs to differentiate into myelinated OLs via targeting IRAK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States.
| | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Mei Lu
- Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Xinli Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Xia Shang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Stanton B Elias
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, United States; Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, United States
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15
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Wang L, Chopp M, Szalad A, Lu X, Jia L, Lu M, Zhang RL, Zhang ZG. Tadalafil Promotes the Recovery of Peripheral Neuropathy in Type II Diabetic Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159665. [PMID: 27438594 PMCID: PMC4954704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the short (4 hours) half-life phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, sildenafil, improved functional outcome in diabetic db/db mice. To further examine the effect of PDE5 inhibition on diabetic peripheral neuropathy, we investigated the effect of another potent PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Tadalafil is pharmacokinetically distinct from sildenafil and has a longer half-life (17+hours) than sildenafil. Diabetic mice (BKS.Cg-m+/+Leprdb/J, db/db) at age 20 weeks were treated with tadalafil every 48 hours for 8 consecutive weeks. Compared with diabetic mice treated with saline, tadalafil treatment significantly improved motor and sensory conduction velocities in the sciatic nerve and peripheral thermal sensitivity. Tadalafil treatment also markedly increased local blood flow and the density of FITC-dextran perfused vessels in the sciatic nerve concomitantly with increased intraepidermal nerve fiber density. Moreover, tadalafil reversed the diabetes-induced reductions of axon diameter and myelin thickness and reversed the diabetes-induced increased g-ratio in the sciatic nerve. Furthermore, tadalafil enhanced diabetes-reduced nerve growth factor (NGF) and platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) protein levels in diabetic sciatic nerve tissue. The present study demonstrates that tadalafil increases regional blood flow in the sciatic nerve tissue, which may contribute to the improvement of peripheral nerve function and the amelioration of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, 48309, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Szalad
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
| | - XueRong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
| | - LongFei Jia
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
| | - Mei Lu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
| | - Rui Lan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
| | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States of America
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16
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Janarthini R, Wang X, Chen L, Gao L, Zhao L. A Tobacco-Derived Thymosin β4 Concatemer Promotes Cell Proliferation and Wound Healing in Mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:1973413. [PMID: 27493953 PMCID: PMC4963596 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1973413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a peptide that is known to play important roles in protection, regeneration, and remodeling of injured tissues in humans, and that shows great promise in a range of clinical applications. However, current strategies to Tβ4 are insufficient to meet growing demand and have a number of limitations. In this current study we investigated whether expression of recombinant Tβ4 in plants, specifically in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves, represents an effective approach. To address this question, a 168 bp Tβ4 gene optimized for tobacco codon usage bias was constitutively expressed in tobacco as a 4-unit repeat concatemer, fused to a polyhistidine tag. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to verify 4×Tβ4 expression in 14 transgenic tobacco lines and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis indicated 4×Tβ4 protein concentrations as high as 3 μg/g of fresh weight in the leaves. We observed that direct administration of tobacco-derived Tβ4 was more effective than Tβ4 either obtained commercially or derived from expression in Escherichia coli at promoting splenocyte proliferation in vitro and wound healing in mice through an endothelial migration assay. This study provides new insights into the development of plant-derived therapeutic proteins and their application by direct administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rylosona Janarthini
- Joint Tomato Research Institute, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Joint Tomato Research Institute, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lulu Chen
- Joint Tomato Research Institute, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Joint Tomato Research Institute, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lingxia Zhao
- Joint Tomato Research Institute, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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Jia L, Wang L, Chopp M, Zhang Y, Szalad A, Zhang ZG. MicroRNA 146a locally mediates distal axonal growth of dorsal root ganglia neurons under high glucose and sildenafil conditions. Neuroscience 2016; 329:43-53. [PMID: 27167084 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Axonal loss contributes to induction of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, ameliorates neurological dysfunction in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, the direct effect of high glucose and sildenafil on axonal growth has not been extensively investigated. Using rat primary dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons cultured in a microfluidic chamber, we investigated the effect of axonal application of high glucose and sildenafil on distal axonal growth. We found that axonal, but not cell body, application of high glucose locally inhibited distal axonal growth. However, axonal application of sildenafil overcame high glucose-reduced axonal growth. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis of distal axonal samples revealed that high glucose reduced axonal miR-146a levels and substantially increased miR-146a target genes, IRAK1 and TRAF6 in the axon. In contrast, sildenafil significantly reversed high glucose-reduced miR-146a levels and high glucose-increased IRAK1 and TRAF6. Gain- and loss-of function of miR-146a in DRG neurons revealed that miR-146a mediated the local effect of high glucose on the distal axonal growth. These in vitro data provide new insights into molecular mechanisms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Jia
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States; Department of Physics Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, United States
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Alexandra Szalad
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, United States.
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