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Jiang Y, Lin Y, Tetlow AM, Pan R, Ji C, Kong XP, Congdon EE, Sigurdsson EM. Single-Domain Antibody-Based Protein Degrader for Synucleinopathies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.11.584473. [PMID: 38558982 PMCID: PMC10979981 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.11.584473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain, leading to motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Currently, there are no known cures for synucleinopathies, and treatments mainly focus on symptom management. In this study, we developed a single-domain antibody (sdAb)-based protein degrader with features designed to enhance proteasomal degradation of α-syn. This sdAb derivative targets both α-syn and Cereblon (CRBN), a substrate-receptor for the E3-ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN, and thereby induces α-syn ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Our results indicate that this therapeutic candidate enhances proteasomal degradation of α-syn, in addition to the endogenous lysosomal degradation machinery. By promoting proteasomal degradation of α-syn, we improved clearance of α-syn in primary culture and mouse models of synucleinopathy. These findings indicate that our sdAb-based protein degrader is a promising therapeutic candidate for synucleinopathies. Considering that only a small percentage of antibodies enter the brain, more potent sdAbs with greater brain entry than whole antibodies could enhance clinical benefits of antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Amber M Tetlow
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Ruimin Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Xiang-Peng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
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2
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Manoutcharian K, Gevorkian G. Recombinant Antibody Fragments for Immunotherapy of Parkinson's Disease. BioDrugs 2024; 38:249-257. [PMID: 38280078 PMCID: PMC10912140 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-024-00646-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Multiple genetic and environmental factors leading to progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN) and consequent depletion of dopamine were described. Current clinical approaches, such as dopamine replacement or deep brain stimulation using surgically implanted probes, provide symptomatic relief but cannot modify disease progression. Therefore, disease-modifying therapeutic tools are urgently needed. Immunotherapy approaches, including passive transfer of protective antibodies and their fragments, have shown therapeutic efficacy in several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. Recombinant antibody fragments are promising alternatives to conventional full-length antibodies. Modern computational approaches and molecular biology tools, directed evolution methodology, and the design of tissue-penetrating fusion peptides allowed for the development of recombinant antibody fragments with superior specificity and affinity, reduced immunogenicity, the capacity to target hidden epitopes and cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), higher solubility and stability, the ability to refold after heat denaturation, and inexpensive large-scale production. In addition, antibody fragments do not induce microglia Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated proinflammatory response and tissue damage in the central nervous system (CNS), because they lack the Fc portion of the immunoglobulin molecule. In the present review, we summarized data on recombinant antibody fragments evaluated as immunotherapeutics in preclinical models of PD and discussed their potential for developing therapeutic and preventive protocols for patients with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Manoutcharian
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Apartado Postal 70228, Cuidad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico
| | - Goar Gevorkian
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Apartado Postal 70228, Cuidad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
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3
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Illes-Toth E, Rempel DL, Gross ML. Exploration of Resveratrol as a Potent Modulator of α-Synuclein Fibril Formation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:503-516. [PMID: 38194353 PMCID: PMC10922803 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00571] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular determinants of amyloid protein misfolding and aggregation are key for the development of therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative disease. Although small synthetic molecules, bifunctional molecules, and natural products offer a potentially advantageous approach to therapeutics to remodel aggregation, their evaluation requires new platforms that are informed at the molecular level. To that end, we chose pulsed hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to discern the phenomena of aggregation modulation for a model system of alpha synuclein (αS) and resveratrol, an antiamyloid compound. We invoked, as a complement to HDX, advanced kinetic modeling described here to illuminate the details of aggregation and to determine the number of oligomeric populations by kinetically fitting the experimental data under conditions of limited proteolysis. The misfolding of αS is most evident within and nearby the nonamyloid-β component region, and resveratrol significantly remodels that aggregation. HDX distinguishes readily a less solvent-accessible, more structured oligomer that coexists with a solvent-accessible, more disordered oligomer during aggregation. A view of the misfolding emerges from time-dependent changes in the fractional species across the protein with or without resveratrol, while details were determined through kinetic modeling of the protected species. A detailed picture of the inhibitory action of resveratrol with time and regional specificity emerges, a picture that can be obtained for other inhibitors and amyloid proteins. Moreover, the model reveals that new states of aggregation are sampled, providing new insights on amyloid formation. The findings were corroborated by circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Illes-Toth
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Don L Rempel
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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4
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Islam Z, Vaikath NN, Hmila I, El‐Agnaf OMA, Kolatkar PR. Structural insights into the unique recognition module between α-synuclein peptide and nanobody. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4875. [PMID: 38105512 PMCID: PMC10807187 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4875] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Nanobodies are single-domain fragments of antibodies with comparable specificity and affinity to antibodies. They are emerging as versatile tools in biology due to their relatively small size. Here, we report the crystal structure of a specific nanobody Nbα-syn01, bound to a 14 amino acid long peptide of α-synuclein (αSyn), a 140-residue protein whose aggregation is associated with Parkinson's disease. The complex structure exhibits a unique binding pattern where the αSyn peptide replaces the N-terminal region of nanobody. Recognition is mediated principally by extended main chain interaction of the αSyn peptide and specificity of the interaction lies in the central 48-52 region of αSyn peptide. Structure-guided truncation of Nbα-syn01 shows tighter binding to αSyn peptide and improved inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation. The structure of the truncated complex was subsequently determined and was indistinguishable to full length complex as the full-length form had no visible electron density for the N-terminal end. These findings reveal the molecular basis for a previously unobserved binding mode for nanobody recognition of α-synuclein, providing an explanation for the enhanced binding, and potential for an alternate framework for structure-based protein engineering of nanobodies to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Nishant N. Vaikath
- Neurological Disorder Research CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Omar M. A. El‐Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Prasanna R. Kolatkar
- Diabetes CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
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5
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Dong L, Xie HZ, Jia L, Hong L, Li G. Inhibition of Amyloid β Aggregation and Cytotoxicity by Berbamine Hydrochloride. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301865. [PMID: 37470691 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301865] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) continues to be a major global health challenge, and the recent approval of Aduhelm and Leqembi has opened new avenues for its treatment. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting Aβ aggregation hold promise as an alternative to monoclonal antibodies. In this study, we evaluated the ability of berbamine hydrochloride (BBMH), a member of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, to reduce Aβ aggregation and cytotoxicity. Thioflavin T kinetics, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy results indicated that BBMH effectively inhibited Aβ aggregation. Surface plasmon resonance and molecular docking results further revealed that BBMH could bind to Aβ fibrils, thereby hindering the aggregation process. This physical picture has been confirmed in a quantitative way by chemical kinetics analysis, which showed BBMH tends to bind with the fibril ends and thus prevents the transition from protofibrils to mature fibrils as well as the elongation process. Additionally, our MTT results showed that BBMH was able to reduce the cytotoxicity of Aβ40 on N2a cells. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of BBMH to inhibit Aβ aggregation and cytotoxicity, offering a promising direction for further research and drug development efforts in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Dong
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Huan-Zhang Xie
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Lee Jia
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Liu Hong
- School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275, China
| | - Gao Li
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
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6
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Mankoo OK, Kaur A, Goyal D, Goyal B. Unravelling the destabilization potential of ellagic acid on α-synuclein fibrils using molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:8128-8143. [PMID: 36877087 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp06006j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant deposition of α-synuclein (α-Syn) protein into the intracellular neuronal aggregates termed Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites characterizes the devastating neurodegenerative condition known as Parkinson's disease (PD). The disruption of pre-existing disease-relevant α-Syn fibrils is recognized as a viable therapeutic approach for PD. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic compound, is experimentally proven as a potential candidate that prevents or reverses the α-Syn fibrillization process. However, the detailed inhibitory mechanism of EA against the destabilization of α-Syn fibril remains largely unclear. In this work, the influence of EA on α-Syn fibril and its putative binding mechanism were explored using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. EA interacted primarily with the non-amyloid-β component (NAC) of α-Syn fibril, disrupting its β-sheet content and thereby increasing the coil content. The E46-K80 salt bridge, critical for the stability of Greek-key-like α-Syn fibril, was disrupted in the presence of EA. The binding free energy analysis using the MM-PBSA method demonstrates the favourable binding of EA to α-Syn fibril (ΔGbinding = -34.62 ± 11.33 kcal mol-1). Interestingly, the binding affinity between chains H and J of the α-Syn fibril was significantly reduced on the incorporation of EA, which highlights the disruptive ability of EA towards α-Syn fibril. The MD simulations provide mechanistic insights into the α-Syn fibril disruption by EA, which gives a valuable direction for the development of potential inhibitors of α-Syn fibrillization and its associated cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Opinder Kaur Mankoo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib 140406, Punjab, India
| | - Anupamjeet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib 140406, Punjab, India
| | - Deepti Goyal
- Department of Chemistry, DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh 160011, India.
| | - Bhupesh Goyal
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala 147004, Punjab, India.
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7
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Tsitokana ME, Lafon PA, Prézeau L, Pin JP, Rondard P. Targeting the Brain with Single-Domain Antibodies: Greater Potential Than Stated So Far? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032632. [PMID: 36768953 PMCID: PMC9916958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for central nervous system diseases with therapeutic antibodies have been increasingly investigated over the last decades, leading to some approved monoclonal antibodies for brain disease therapies. The detection of biomarkers for diagnosis purposes with non-invasive antibody-based imaging approaches has also been explored in brain cancers. However, antibodies generally display a low capability of reaching the brain, as they do not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier. As an alternative, recent studies have focused on single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that correspond to the antigen-binding fragment. While some reports indicate that the brain uptake of these small antibodies is still low, the number of studies reporting brain-penetrating sdAbs is increasing. In this review, we provide an overview of methods used to assess or evaluate brain penetration of sdAbs and discuss the pros and cons that could affect the identification of brain-penetrating sdAbs of therapeutic or diagnostic interest.
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8
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Zheng F, Pang Y, Li L, Pang Y, Zhang J, Wang X, Raes G. Applications of nanobodies in brain diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978513. [PMID: 36426363 PMCID: PMC9679430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are antibody fragments derived from camelids, naturally endowed with properties like low molecular weight, high affinity and low immunogenicity, which contribute to their effective use as research tools, but also as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in a wide range of diseases, including brain diseases. Also, with the success of Caplacizumab, the first approved nanobody drug which was established as a first-in-class medication to treat acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, nanobody-based therapy has received increasing attention. In the current review, we first briefly introduce the characterization and manufacturing of nanobodies. Then, we discuss the issue of crossing of the brain-blood-barrier (BBB) by nanobodies, making use of natural methods of BBB penetration, including passive diffusion, active efflux carriers (ATP-binding cassette transporters), carrier-mediated influx via solute carriers and transcytosis (including receptor-mediated transport, and adsorptive mediated transport) as well as various physical and chemical methods or even more complicated methods such as genetic methods via viral vectors to deliver nanobodies to the brain. Next, we give an extensive overview of research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanobodies in brain-related diseases, with emphasis on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain tumors. Thanks to the advance of nanobody engineering and modification technologies, nanobodies can be linked to toxins or conjugated with radionuclides, photosensitizers and nanoparticles, according to different requirements. Finally, we provide several perspectives that may facilitate future studies and whereby the versatile nanobodies offer promising perspectives for advancing our knowledge about brain disorders, as well as hopefully yielding diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yucheng Pang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Luyao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuxing Pang
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Geert Raes
- Research Group of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
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9
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Saleh M, Markovic M, Olson KE, Gendelman HE, Mosley RL. Therapeutic Strategies for Immune Transformation in Parkinson’s Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2022; 12:S201-S222. [PMID: 35871362 PMCID: PMC9535567 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-223278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity can lead to alpha-synuclein (α-syn) misfolding, aggregation, and post-translational modifications in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This process is driven by neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to the release of neurotoxic oligomers that facilitate dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Strategies that promote vaccines and antibodies target the clearance of misfolded, modified α-syn, while gene therapy approaches propose to deliver intracellular single chain nanobodies to mitigate α-syn misfolding, or to deliver neurotrophic factors that support neuronal viability in an otherwise neurotoxic environment. Additionally, transformative immune responses provide potential targets for PD therapeutics. Anti-inflammatory drugs represent one strategy that principally affects innate immunity. Considerable research efforts have focused on transforming the balance of pro-inflammatory effector T cells (Teffs) to favor regulatory T cell (Treg) activity, which aims to attenuate neuroinflammation and support reparative and neurotrophic homeostasis. This approach serves to control innate microglial neurotoxic activities and may facilitate clearance of α-syn aggregates accordingly. More recently, changes in the intestinal microbiome have been shown to alter the gut-immune-brain axis leading to suppressed leakage of bacterial products that can promote peripheral inflammation and α-syn misfolding. Together, each of the approaches serves to interdict chronic inflammation associated with disordered immunity and neurodegeneration. Herein, we examine research strategies aimed at improving clinical outcomes in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maamoon Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Milica Markovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Katherine E. Olson
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Howard E. Gendelman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - R. Lee Mosley
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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10
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Propagation of Parkinson's disease by extracellular vesicle production and secretion. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1303-1314. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20220204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative condition affecting a significant number of individuals globally, resulting in the presentation of debilitating motor and non-motor symptoms, including bradykinesia, resting tremor, as well as mood and sleep disorders. The pathology of PD has been observed to spread through the central nervous system resulting in progressive brain degeneration and a poor prognosis. Aggregated forms of the protein α-synuclein, particularly intermediary aggregates, referred to as oligomers, or preformed fibrils, have been implicated as the causative agent in the degeneration of neuronal processes, including the dysfunction of axonal transport, mitochondrial activity, and ultimately cellular death. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been strongly implicated in the propagation of PD pathology. Current observations suggest that aggregated α-synuclein is transported between neurons via small EVs in a series of exocytosis and endocytosis cellular processes leading to the observed spread of neurotoxicity and cellular death. Despite some understanding of the role of EVs in neurodegeneration, the exact mechanism by which these lipidic particles participate in the progression of Parkinson's pathology is not entirely understood. Here we review the current understanding of the role of EVs in the propagation of PD and explore their potential as a therapeutic target.
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11
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Hmila I, Vaikath NN, Majbour NK, Erskine D, Sudhakaran IP, Gupta V, Ghanem SS, Islam Z, Emara MM, Abdesselem HB, Kolatkar PR, Achappa DK, Vinardell T, El‐Agnaf OMA. Novel engineered nanobodies specific for N‐terminal region of alpha‐synuclein recognize Lewy‐body pathology and inhibit
in‐vitro
seeded aggregation and toxicity. FEBS J 2022; 289:4657-4673. [PMID: 35090199 PMCID: PMC9545584 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nanobodies (Nbs), the single‐domain antigen‐binding fragments of dromedary heavy‐chain antibodies (HCAb), are excellent candidates as therapeutic and diagnostic tools in synucleinopathies because of their small size, solubility and stability. Here, we constructed an immune nanobody library specific to the monomeric form of alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn). Phage display screening of the library allowed the identification of a nanobody, Nbα‐syn01, specific for α‐syn. Unlike previously developed nanobodies, Nbα‐syn01 recognized the N‐terminal region which is critical for in vitro and in vivo aggregation and contains many point mutations involved in early PD cases. The affinity of the monovalent Nbα‐syn01 and the engineered bivalent format BivNbα‐syn01 measured by isothermal titration calorimetry revealed unexpected results where Nbα‐syn01 and its bivalent format recognized preferentially α‐syn fibrils compared to the monomeric form. Nbα‐syn01 and BivNbα‐syn01 were also able to inhibit α‐syn‐seeded aggregation in vitro and reduced α‐syn‐seeded aggregation and toxicity in cells showing their potential to reduce α‐syn pathology. Moreover, both nanobody formats were able to recognize Lewy‐body pathology in human post‐mortem brain tissue from PD and DLB cases. Additionally, we present evidence through structural docking that Nbα‐syn01 binds the N‐terminal region of the α‐syn aggregated form. Overall, these results highlight the potential of Nbα‐syn01 and BivNbα‐syn01 in developing into a diagnostic or a therapeutic tool for PD and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Nishant N. Vaikath
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Nour K. Majbour
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Daniel Erskine
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute Newcastle University UK
| | - Indulekha P. Sudhakaran
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Vijay Gupta
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Simona S. Ghanem
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Mohamed M. Emara
- Basic Medical Sciences Department College of Medicine QU Health Qatar University Doha Qatar
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit QU Health Qatar University Doha Qatar
| | - Houari B. Abdesselem
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Prasanna R. Kolatkar
- Diabetes Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | | | - Tatiana Vinardell
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
- College of Health & Life Science Hamad Bin Khalifa University Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Omar M. A. El‐Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
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12
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Menon S, Armstrong S, Hamzeh A, Visanji NP, Sardi SP, Tandon A. Alpha-Synuclein Targeting Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease and Related Synucleinopathies. Front Neurol 2022; 13:852003. [PMID: 35614915 PMCID: PMC9124903 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.852003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (asyn) is a key pathogenetic factor in a group of neurodegenerative diseases generically known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although the initial triggers of pathology and progression are unclear, multiple lines of evidence support therapeutic targeting of asyn in order to limit its prion-like misfolding. Here, we review recent pre-clinical and clinical work that offers promising treatment strategies to sequester, degrade, or silence asyn expression as a means to reduce the levels of seed or substrate. These diverse approaches include removal of aggregated asyn with passive or active immunization or by expression of vectorized antibodies, modulating kinetics of misfolding with small molecule anti-aggregants, lowering asyn gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides or inhibitory RNA, and pharmacological activation of asyn degradation pathways. We also discuss recent technological advances in combining low intensity focused ultrasound with intravenous microbubbles to transiently increase blood-brain barrier permeability for improved brain delivery and target engagement of these large molecule anti-asyn biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Menon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sabrina Armstrong
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amir Hamzeh
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi P. Visanji
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anurag Tandon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anurag Tandon
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13
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Zhang Z, Li M, Zuo Y, Chen S, Zhuo Y, Lu M, Shi G, Gu H. In Vivo Monitoring of pH in Subacute PD Mouse Brains with a Ratiometric Electrochemical Microsensor Based on Poly(melamine) Films. ACS Sens 2022; 7:235-244. [PMID: 34936337 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c02051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In vivo monitoring of cerebral pH is of great significance because its disturbance is related to some pathological processes such as neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we developed an electrochemical microsensor based on poly(melamine) (PMel) films for ratiometric monitoring of pH in subacute PD mouse brains. In this microsensor, PMel films were prepared from a simple electropolymerization approach in a melamine-containing solution, serving as the selective pH recognition membrane undergoing a 2H+/2e- process. Meanwhile, electrochemically oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) produced a built-in correction signal which helped avoid the environmental interference of the complicated brain systems. The potential difference between the peaks generated from EOGO and PMel gradually decreased with the aqueous pH increasing from 4.0 to 9.0, constituting the detection foundation of the ratiometric electrochemical microsensor (REM). The in vitro studies demonstrated that this proposed method exhibited a high sensitivity (a Nernstian response of -61.35 mV/pH) and remarkable selectivity against amino acids, anions, cations, and biochemical and reactive oxygen species coexisting in the brain. Coupled with its excellent stability and reproducibility and good antibiofouling based on short-term detection, the developed REM could serve as a disposable sensor for the determination of cerebral pH in vivo. Its following successful application in the real-time measurement of pH in the striatum, hippocampus, and cortex of rat brains in the events of global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion verified the reliability of this method. Finally, we adopted this robust REM to systematically analyze and compare the average pH in different regions of normal and subacute PD mouse brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Zhang
- A Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, P. R. China
| | - Mengyin Li
- A Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, P. R. China
| | - Yimei Zuo
- A Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, P. R. China
| | - Shu Chen
- A Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhuo
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, P.R. China
| | - Ming Lu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, P.R. China
| | - Guoyue Shi
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Hui Gu
- A Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, P. R. China
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14
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Oliveira LMA, Gasser T, Edwards R, Zweckstetter M, Melki R, Stefanis L, Lashuel HA, Sulzer D, Vekrellis K, Halliday GM, Tomlinson JJ, Schlossmacher M, Jensen PH, Schulze-Hentrich J, Riess O, Hirst WD, El-Agnaf O, Mollenhauer B, Lansbury P, Outeiro TF. Alpha-synuclein research: defining strategic moves in the battle against Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:65. [PMID: 34312398 PMCID: PMC8313662 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of the genetic era in Parkinson's disease (PD) research in 1997, α-synuclein was identified as an important player in a complex neurodegenerative disease that affects >10 million people worldwide. PD has been estimated to have an economic impact of $51.9 billion in the US alone. Since the initial association with PD, hundreds of researchers have contributed to elucidating the functions of α-synuclein in normal and pathological states, and these remain critical areas for continued research. With this position paper the authors strive to achieve two goals: first, to succinctly summarize the critical features that define α-synuclein's varied roles, as they are known today; and second, to identify the most pressing knowledge gaps and delineate a multipronged strategy for future research with the goal of enabling therapies to stop or slow disease progression in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M A Oliveira
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Thomas Gasser
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert Edwards
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut François Jacob, MIRCen, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Leonidas Stefanis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Neurology, Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Sulzer
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kostas Vekrellis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julianna J Tomlinson
- Neuroscience Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Schlossmacher
- Neuroscience Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine & DANDRITE, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julia Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Warren D Hirst
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Omar El-Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Brit Mollenhauer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik, Kassel, Germany
| | | | - Tiago F Outeiro
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany.
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
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15
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Li J, Liang J. In vivo FRET-FLIM reveals ER-specific increases in the ABA level upon environmental stresses. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:1545-1561. [PMID: 33848331 PMCID: PMC8260131 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is essential for regulating plant growth and various stress responses. ABA-mediated signaling depends on local ABA levels rather than the overall cellular ABA concentration. While cellular concentration of ABA can be detected using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ABA probes, direct imaging of subcellular ABA levels remains unsolved. Here, we modified the previously reported ABAleon2.1 and generated a new ABA sensor, named ABAleon2.1_Tao3. Via transient expression in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) protoplasts, we targeted ABAleon2.1_Tao3s to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane with the ABA sensing unit facing the cytosol and the ER, respectively, through a nanobody-epitope-mediated protein interaction. Combining FRET with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, ABA-triggered-specific increases in the fluorescence lifetime of the donor mTurquoise in the ABAleon2.1_Tao3 were detected in both transient assays and stably transformed Arabidopsis plants. In tobacco protoplasts, ER membrane-targeted ABAleon2.1_Tao3s showed a generally higher basal level of ABA in the ER than that in the cytosol and ER-specific alterations in the level of ABA upon environmental cues. In ABAleon2.1_Tao3-transformed Arabidopsis roots, mannitol triggered increases in cytosolic ABA in the division zone and increases in ER ABA in the elongation and maturation zone within 1 h after treatment, both of which were abolished in the bg1-2 mutant, suggesting the requirement for BG1 in osmotic stress-triggered early ABA induction in Arabidopsis roots. These data demonstrate that ABAleon2.1_Tao3s can be used to monitor ABA levels in the cytosol and the ER, providing key information on stress-induced changes in the level of ABA in different subcellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeling Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jingwen Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiansheng Liang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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16
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Potent inhibitors of toxic alpha-synuclein identified via cellular time-resolved FRET biosensors. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:52. [PMID: 34183676 PMCID: PMC8238948 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a high-throughput drug discovery platform, measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with fluorescent alpha-synuclein (αSN) biosensors, to detect spontaneous pre-fibrillar oligomers in living cells. Our two αSN FRET biosensors provide complementary insight into αSN oligomerization and conformation in order to improve the success of drug discovery campaigns for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. We measure FRET by fluorescence lifetime, rather than traditional fluorescence intensity, providing a structural readout with greater resolution and precision. This facilitates identification of compounds that cause subtle but significant conformational changes in the ensemble of oligomeric states that are easily missed using intensity-based FRET. We screened a 1280-compound small-molecule library and identified 21 compounds that changed the lifetime by >5 SD. Two of these compounds have nanomolar potency in protecting SH-SY5Y cells from αSN-induced death, providing a nearly tenfold improvement over known inhibitors. We tested the efficacy of several compounds in a primary mouse neuron assay of αSN pathology (phosphorylation of mouse αSN pre-formed fibrils) and show rescue of pathology for two of them. These hits were further characterized with biophysical and biochemical assays to explore potential mechanisms of action. In vitro αSN oligomerization, single-molecule FRET, and protein-observed fluorine NMR experiments demonstrate that these compounds modulate αSN oligomers but not monomers. Subsequent aggregation assays further show that these compounds also deter or block αSN fibril assembly.
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17
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Chaudhary H, Iashchishyn IA, Romanova NV, Rambaran MA, Musteikyte G, Smirnovas V, Holmboe M, Ohlin CA, Svedružić ŽM, Morozova-Roche LA. Polyoxometalates as Effective Nano-inhibitors of Amyloid Aggregation of Pro-inflammatory S100A9 Protein Involved in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:26721-26734. [PMID: 34080430 PMCID: PMC8289188 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c04163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory and amyloidogenic S100A9 protein is central to the amyloid-neuroinflammatory cascade in neurodegenerative diseases. Polyoxometalates (POMs) constitute a diverse group of nanomaterials, which showed potency in amyloid inhibition. Here, we have demonstrated that two selected nanosized niobium POMs, Nb10 and TiNb9, can act as potent inhibitors of S100A9 amyloid assembly. Kinetics analysis based on ThT fluorescence experiments showed that addition of either Nb10 or TiNb9 reduces the S100A9 amyloid formation rate and amyloid quantity. Atomic force microscopy imaging demonstrated the complete absence of long S100A9 amyloid fibrils at increasing concentrations of either POM and the presence of only round-shaped and slightly elongated aggregates. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that both Nb10 and TiNb9 bind to native S100A9 homo-dimer by forming ionic interactions with the positively charged Lys residue-rich patches on the protein surface. The acrylamide quenching of intrinsic fluorescence showed that POM binding does not perturb the Trp 88 environment. The far and near UV circular dichroism revealed no large-scale perturbation of S100A9 secondary and tertiary structures upon POM binding. These indicate that POM binding involves only local conformational changes in the binding sites. By using intrinsic and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate fluorescence titration experiments, we found that POMs bind to S100A9 with a Kd of ca. 2.5 μM. We suggest that the region, including Lys 50 to Lys 54 and characterized by high amyloid propensity, could be the key sequences involved in S1009 amyloid self-assembly. The inhibition and complete hindering of S100A9 amyloid pathways may be used in the therapeutic applications targeting the amyloid-neuroinflammatory cascade in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Chaudhary
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Igor A. Iashchishyn
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Nina V. Romanova
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | | | - Greta Musteikyte
- Institute
of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute
of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Michael Holmboe
- Department
of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - C. André Ohlin
- Department
of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Ludmilla A. Morozova-Roche
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
- . Tel.: +46736205283. Fax: +46907865283
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18
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Berland L, Kim L, Abousaway O, Mines A, Mishra S, Clark L, Hofman P, Rashidian M. Nanobodies for Medical Imaging: About Ready for Prime Time? Biomolecules 2021; 11:637. [PMID: 33925941 PMCID: PMC8146371 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in medical treatments have been revolutionary in shaping the management and treatment landscape of patients, notably cancer patients. Over the last decade, patients with diverse forms of locally advanced or metastatic cancer, such as melanoma, lung cancers, and many blood-borne malignancies, have seen their life expectancies increasing significantly. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, the present-day struggle with these treatments concerns patients who remain largely unresponsive, as well as those who experience severely toxic side effects. Gaining deeper insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these variable responses will bring us closer to developing more effective therapeutics. To assess these mechanisms, non-invasive imaging techniques provide valuable whole-body information with precise targeting. An example of such is immuno-PET (Positron Emission Tomography), which employs radiolabeled antibodies to detect specific molecules of interest. Nanobodies, as the smallest derived antibody fragments, boast ideal characteristics for this purpose and have thus been used extensively in preclinical models and, more recently, in clinical early-stage studies as well. Their merit stems from their high affinity and specificity towards a target, among other factors. Furthermore, their small size (~14 kDa) allows them to easily disperse through the bloodstream and reach tissues in a reliable and uniform manner. In this review, we will discuss the powerful imaging potential of nanobodies, primarily through the lens of imaging malignant tumors but also touching upon their capability to image a broader variety of nonmalignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Berland
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, 06100 Nice, France;
| | - Lauren Kim
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
- Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Omar Abousaway
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Andrea Mines
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Shruti Mishra
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Louise Clark
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Paul Hofman
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, 06100 Nice, France;
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, FHU OncoAge, Nice Center Hospital, 06100 Nice, France
| | - Mohammad Rashidian
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.B.); (L.K.); (O.A.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (L.C.)
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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19
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Gomes GN, Levine ZA. Defining the Neuropathological Aggresome across in Silico, in Vitro, and ex Vivo Experiments. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:1974-1996. [PMID: 33464098 PMCID: PMC8362740 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c09193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The loss of proteostasis over the life course is associated with a wide range of debilitating degenerative diseases and is a central hallmark of human aging. When left unchecked, proteins that are intrinsically disordered can pathologically aggregate into highly ordered fibrils, plaques, and tangles (termed amyloids), which are associated with countless disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, cancer, and even certain viral infections. However, despite significant advances in protein folding and solution biophysics techniques, determining the molecular cause of these conditions in humans has remained elusive. This has been due, in part, to recent discoveries showing that soluble protein oligomers, not insoluble fibrils or plaques, drive the majority of pathological processes. This has subsequently led researchers to focus instead on heterogeneous and often promiscuous protein oligomers. Unfortunately, significant gaps remain in how to prepare, model, experimentally corroborate, and extract amyloid oligomers relevant to human disease in a systematic manner. This Review will report on each of these techniques and their successes and shortcomings in an attempt to standardize comparisons between protein oligomers across disciplines, especially in the context of neurodegeneration. By standardizing multiple techniques and identifying their common overlap, a clearer picture of the soluble neuropathological aggresome can be constructed and used as a baseline for studying human disease and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory-Neal Gomes
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Zachary A. Levine
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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20
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Li B, Ponjavic A, Chen WH, Hopkins L, Hughes C, Ye Y, Bryant C, Klenerman D. Single-Molecule Light-Sheet Microscopy with Local Nanopipette Delivery. Anal Chem 2021; 93:4092-4099. [PMID: 33595281 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c05296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The detection of single molecules in biological systems has rapidly increased in resolution over the past decade. However, the delivery of single molecules remains to be a challenge. Currently, there is no effective method that can both introduce a precise amount of molecules onto or into a single cell at a defined position and then image the cellular response. Here, we have combined light-sheet microscopy with local delivery, using a nanopipette, to accurately deliver individual proteins to a defined position. We call this method local-delivery selective-plane illumination microscopy (ldSPIM). ldSPIM uses a nanopipette and ionic feedback current at the nanopipette tip to control the position from which the molecules are delivered. The number of proteins delivered can be controlled by varying the voltage applied. For single-molecule detection, we implemented single-objective SPIM using a reflective atomic force microscopy cantilever to create a 2 μm thin sheet. Using this setup, we demonstrate that ldSPIM can deliver single fluorescently labeled proteins onto the plasma membrane of HK293 cells or into the cytoplasm. Next, we deposited the aggregates of amyloid-β, which causes proteotoxicity relevant to Alzheimer's disease, onto a single macrophage stably expressing a MyDD88-eGFP fusion construct. Whole-cell imaging in the three-dimensional (3D) mode enables the live detection of MyDD88 accumulation and the formation of myddosome signaling complexes, as a result of the aggregate-induced triggering of toll-like receptor 4. Overall, we demonstrate a novel multifunctional imaging system capable of precise delivery of single proteins to a specific location on the cell surface or inside the cytoplasm and high-speed 3D detection at single-molecule resolution within live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aleks Ponjavic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Lee Hopkins
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Craig Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yu Ye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Clare Bryant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
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21
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Single Molecule Characterization of Amyloid Oligomers. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26040948. [PMID: 33670093 PMCID: PMC7916856 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The misfolding and aggregation of polypeptide chains into β-sheet-rich amyloid fibrils is associated with a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. Growing evidence indicates that the oligomeric intermediates populated in the early stages of amyloid formation rather than the mature fibrils are responsible for the cytotoxicity and pathology and are potentially therapeutic targets. However, due to the low-populated, transient, and heterogeneous nature of amyloid oligomers, they are hard to characterize by conventional bulk methods. The development of single molecule approaches provides a powerful toolkit for investigating these oligomeric intermediates as well as the complex process of amyloid aggregation at molecular resolution. In this review, we present an overview of recent progress in characterizing the oligomerization of amyloid proteins by single molecule fluorescence techniques, including single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET), fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), single-molecule photobleaching and super-resolution optical imaging. We discuss how these techniques have been applied to investigate the different aspects of amyloid oligomers and facilitate understanding of the mechanism of amyloid aggregation.
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22
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Castonguay AM, Gravel C, Lévesque M. Treating Parkinson's Disease with Antibodies: Previous Studies and Future Directions. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 11:71-92. [PMID: 33104039 PMCID: PMC7990466 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-202221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Degenerating neurons contain abnormal aggregates called Lewy bodies, that are predominantly composed of the misfolded and/or mutated alpha-synuclein protein. Post-translational modifications, cellular stress, inflammation and gene mutations are thought to trigger its pathological misfolding and aggregation. With alpha-synuclein pathology being strongly associated with dopaminergic neuronal toxicity, strategies aimed to reduce its burden are expected to be beneficial in slowing disease progression. Moreover, multiple sources of evidence suggest a cell-to-cell transmission of pathological alpha-synuclein in a prion-like manner. Therefore, antibodies targeting extra- or intracellular alpha-synuclein could be efficient in limiting the aggregation and transmission. Several active and passive immunization strategies have been explored to target alpha-synuclein. Here, we summarize immunotherapeutic approaches that were tested in pre-clinical or clinical studies in the last two decades in an attempt to treat Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Castonguay
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Gravel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Lévesque
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC, Canada
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23
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Vilalta A, Zhou Y, Sevalle J, Griffin JK, Satoh K, Allendorf DH, De S, Puigdellívol M, Bruzas A, Burguillos MA, Dodd RB, Chen F, Zhang Y, Flagmeier P, Needham LM, Enomoto M, Qamar S, Henderson J, Walter J, Fraser PE, Klenerman D, Lee SF, St George-Hyslop P, Brown GC. Wild-type sTREM2 blocks Aβ aggregation and neurotoxicity, but the Alzheimer's R47H mutant increases Aβ aggregation. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100631. [PMID: 33823153 PMCID: PMC8113883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
TREM2 is a pattern recognition receptor, expressed on microglia and myeloid cells, detecting lipids and Aβ and inducing an innate immune response. Missense mutations (e.g., R47H) of TREM2 increase risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The soluble ectodomain of wild-type TREM2 (sTREM2) has been shown to protect against AD in vivo, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We show that Aβ oligomers bind to cellular TREM2, inducing shedding of the sTREM2 domain. Wild-type sTREM2 bound to Aβ oligomers (measured by single-molecule imaging, dot blots, and Bio-Layer Interferometry) inhibited Aβ oligomerization and disaggregated preformed Aβ oligomers and protofibrils (measured by transmission electron microscopy, dot blots, and size-exclusion chromatography). Wild-type sTREM2 also inhibited Aβ fibrillization (measured by imaging and thioflavin T fluorescence) and blocked Aβ-induced neurotoxicity (measured by permeabilization of artificial membranes and by loss of neurons in primary neuronal-glial cocultures). In contrast, the R47H AD-risk variant of sTREM2 is less able to bind and disaggregate oligomeric Aβ but rather promotes Aβ protofibril formation and neurotoxicity. Thus, in addition to inducing an immune response, wild-type TREM2 may protect against amyloid pathology by the Aβ-induced release of sTREM2, which blocks Aβ aggregation and neurotoxicity. In contrast, R47H sTREM2 promotes Aβ aggregation into protofibril that may be toxic to neurons. These findings may explain how wild-type sTREM2 apparently protects against AD in vivo and why a single copy of the R47H variant gene is associated with increased AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Vilalta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ye Zhou
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Sevalle
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer K Griffin
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kanayo Satoh
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David H Allendorf
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Suman De
- AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mar Puigdellívol
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Arturas Bruzas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A Burguillos
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roger B Dodd
- AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fusheng Chen
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yalun Zhang
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Flagmeier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa-Maria Needham
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seema Qamar
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Henderson
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jochen Walter
- Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Paul E Fraser
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridge Dementia Research Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Steven F Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peter St George-Hyslop
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Guy C Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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24
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Soetens E, Ballegeer M, Saelens X. An Inside Job: Applications of Intracellular Single Domain Antibodies. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121663. [PMID: 33322697 PMCID: PMC7764588 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sera of camelid species contain a special kind of antibody that consists only of heavy chains. The variable antigen binding domain of these heavy chain antibodies can be expressed as a separate entity, called a single domain antibody that is characterized by its small size, high solubility and oftentimes exceptional stability. Because of this, most single domain antibodies fold correctly when expressed in the reducing environment of the cytoplasm, and thereby retain their antigen binding specificity. Single domain antibodies can thus be used to target a broad range of intracellular proteins. Such intracellular single domain antibodies are also known as intrabodies, and have proven to be highly useful tools for basic research by allowing visualization, disruption and even targeted degradation of intracellular proteins. Furthermore, intrabodies can be used to uncover prospective new therapeutic targets and have the potential to be applied in therapeutic settings in the future. In this review we provide a brief overview of recent advances in the field of intracellular single domain antibodies, focusing on their use as research tools and potential therapeutic applications. Special attention is given to the available methods that allow delivery of single domain antibodies into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Soetens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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25
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Kreiser RP, Wright AK, Block NR, Hollows JE, Nguyen LT, LeForte K, Mannini B, Vendruscolo M, Limbocker R. Therapeutic Strategies to Reduce the Toxicity of Misfolded Protein Oligomers. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228651. [PMID: 33212787 PMCID: PMC7696907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant aggregation of proteins is implicated in the onset and pathogenesis of a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Mounting evidence indicates that misfolded protein oligomers produced as intermediates in the aggregation process are potent neurotoxic agents in these diseases. Because of the transient and heterogeneous nature of these elusive aggregates, however, it has proven challenging to develop therapeutics that can effectively target them. Here, we review approaches aimed at reducing oligomer toxicity, including (1) modulating the oligomer populations (e.g., by altering the kinetics of aggregation by inhibiting, enhancing, or redirecting the process), (2) modulating the oligomer properties (e.g., through the size–hydrophobicity–toxicity relationship), (3) modulating the oligomer interactions (e.g., by protecting cell membranes by displacing oligomers), and (4) reducing oligomer toxicity by potentiating the protein homeostasis system. We analyze examples of these complementary approaches, which may lead to the development of compounds capable of preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders associated with protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P. Kreiser
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Aidan K. Wright
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Natalie R. Block
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Jared E. Hollows
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Lam T. Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Kathleen LeForte
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Benedetta Mannini
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK;
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK;
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (R.L.)
| | - Ryan Limbocker
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA; (R.P.K.); (A.K.W.); (N.R.B.); (J.E.H.); (L.T.N.); (K.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (R.L.)
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26
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Arter WE, Xu CK, Castellana-Cruz M, Herling TW, Krainer G, Saar KL, Kumita JR, Dobson CM, Knowles TPJ. Rapid Structural, Kinetic, and Immunochemical Analysis of Alpha-Synuclein Oligomers in Solution. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:8163-8169. [PMID: 33079553 PMCID: PMC7116857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Oligomers comprised of misfolded proteins are implicated as neurotoxins in the pathogenesis of protein misfolding conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Structural, biophysical, and biochemical characterization of these nanoscale protein assemblies is key to understanding their pathology and the design of therapeutic interventions, yet it is challenging due to their heterogeneous, transient nature and low relative abundance in complex mixtures. Here, we demonstrate separation of heterogeneous populations of oligomeric α-synuclein, a protein central to the pathology of Parkinson's disease, in solution using microfluidic free-flow electrophoresis. We characterize nanoscale structural heterogeneity of transient oligomers on a time scale of seconds, at least 2 orders of magnitude faster than conventional techniques. Furthermore, we utilize our platform to analyze oligomer ζ-potential and probe the immunochemistry of wild-type α-synuclein oligomers. Our findings contribute to an improved characterization of α-synuclein oligomers and demonstrate the application of microchip electrophoresis for the free-solution analysis of biological nanoparticle analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E. Arter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Catherine K. Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Marta Castellana-Cruz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Therese W. Herling
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Georg Krainer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Kadi L. Saar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Janet R. Kumita
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Christopher M. Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
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27
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Paul A, Huber A, Rand D, Gosselet F, Cooper I, Gazit E, Segal D. Naphthoquinone–Dopamine Hybrids Inhibit α‐Synuclein Aggregation, Disrupt Preformed Fibrils, and Attenuate Aggregate‐Induced Toxicity. Chemistry 2020; 26:16486-16496. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Paul
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Adi Huber
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Daniel Rand
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Ramat Gan 52621 Israel
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- UR 2465 Blood-brain barrier Laboratory (LBHE) Artois University 62300 Lens France
| | - Itzik Cooper
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Ramat Gan 52621 Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
- Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neuroscience Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
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28
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Yang J, Dear AJ, Yao QQ, Liu Z, Dobson CM, Knowles TPJ, Wu S, Perrett S. Amelioration of aggregate cytotoxicity by catalytic conversion of protein oligomers into amyloid fibrils. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:18663-18672. [PMID: 32794533 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr01481h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of peptides and proteins into amyloid fibrils is a molecular self-assembly phenomenon associated with both biological function and malfunction, notably in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Oligomeric species formed early in the aggregation process are generally associated with cytotoxicity. Extrinsic molecules such as peptides have been found to influence amyloid formation kinetics and regulate this cellular process. Here, we use single-molecule FRET and bulk assays combined with global kinetic analysis to study quantitatively the effect of an 8-residue peptide (LQVNIGNR) on fibril formation by the yeast prion protein Ure2. This peptide, which is derived from a segment of the Ure2 prion domain, forms vesicular assemblies that accelerate fibril formation of Ure2 by promoting conformational conversion of oligomeric intermediates into fibrillar species in a catalytic manner. This reduces oligomer longevity and consequently ameliorates cytotoxicity. The LQVNIGNR peptide was found to accelerate fibril formation of unrelated proteins including Tau and α-Synuclein, suggesting a general ability to catalyse fibrillation. This study provides a general strategy for investigating the microscopic mechanism of extrinsic factors on amyloid aggregation. This approach can readily be applied to other amyloid systems and demonstrates that acceleration of oligomer conversion is a promising strategy to reduce amyloid toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
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29
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Whiten DR, Brownjohn PW, Moore S, De S, Strano A, Zuo Y, Haneklaus M, Klenerman D, Livesey FJ. Tumour necrosis factor induces increased production of extracellular amyloid-β- and α-synuclein-containing aggregates by human Alzheimer's disease neurons. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa146. [PMID: 33543132 PMCID: PMC7850285 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to increased aberrant protein aggregation, inflammation has been proposed as a key element in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. How inflammation interacts with other disease pathways and how protein aggregation increases during disease are not clear. We used single-molecule imaging approaches and membrane permeabilization assays to determine the effect of chronic exposure to tumour necrosis factor, a master proinflammatory cytokine, on protein aggregation in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons harbouring monogenic Alzheimer’s disease mutations. We report that exposure of Alzheimer’s disease neurons, but not control neurons, to tumour necrosis factor induces substantial production of extracellular protein aggregates. Aggregates from Alzheimer’s disease neurons are composed of amyloid-β and α-synuclein and induce significant permeabilization of lipid membranes in an assay of pathogenicity. These findings provide support for a causal relationship between two crucial processes in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and suggest that targeting inflammation, particularly tumour necrosis factor, may have beneficial downstream effects on ameliorating aberrant protein aggregation and accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Whiten
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Philip W Brownjohn
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Steven Moore
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Suman De
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Alessio Strano
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Yukun Zuo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Moritz Haneklaus
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
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30
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Abstract
The spontaneous assembly of proteins into amyloid fibrils is a phenomenon central to many increasingly common and currently incurable human disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Oligomeric species form transiently during this process and not only act as essential intermediates in the assembly of new filaments but also represent major pathogenic agents in these diseases. While amyloid fibrils possess a common, defining set of physicochemical features, oligomers, by contrast, appear much more diverse, and their commonalities and differences have hitherto remained largely unexplored. Here, we use the framework of chemical kinetics to investigate their dynamical properties. By fitting experimental data for several unrelated amyloidogenic systems to newly derived mechanistic models, we find that oligomers present with a remarkably wide range of kinetic and thermodynamic stabilities but that they possess two properties that are generic: they are overwhelmingly nonfibrillar, and they predominantly dissociate back to monomers rather than maturing into fibrillar species. These discoveries change our understanding of the relationship between amyloid oligomers and amyloid fibrils and have important implications for the nature of their cellular toxicity.
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31
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Preclinical Targeted α- and β --Radionuclide Therapy in HER2-Positive Brain Metastasis Using Camelid Single-Domain Antibodies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12041017. [PMID: 32326199 PMCID: PMC7226418 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HER2-targeted therapies have drastically improved the outcome for breast cancer patients. However, when metastasis to the brain is involved, current strategies fail to hold up to the same promise. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (sdAbs) have been demonstrated to possess favorable properties for detecting and treating cancerous lesions in vivo using different radiolabeling methods. Here we evaluate the anti-HER2 sdAb 2Rs15d, coupled to diagnostic γ- and therapeutic α- and β−-emitting radionuclides for the detection and treatment of HER2pos brain lesions in a preclinical setting. 2Rs15d was radiolabeled with 111In, 225Ac and 131I using DTPA- and DOTA-based bifunctional chelators and Sn-precursor of SGMIB respectively and evaluated in orthotopic tumor-bearing athymic nude mice. Therapeutic efficacy as well as systemic toxicity were determined for 131I- and 225Ac-labeled sdAbs and compared to anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) trastuzumab in two different HER2pos tumor models. Radiolabeled 2Rs15d showed high and specific tumor uptake in both HER2pos SK-OV-3-Luc-IP1 and HER2pos MDA-MB-231Br brain lesions, whereas radiolabeled trastuzumab was unable to accumulate in intracranial SK-OV-3-Luc-IP1 tumors. Administration of [131I]-2Rs15d and [225Ac]-2Rs15d alone and in combination with trastuzumab showed a significant increase in median survival in 2 tumor models that remained largely unresponsive to trastuzumab treatment alone. Histopathological analysis revealed no significant early toxicity. Radiolabeled sdAbs prove to be promising vehicles for molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy of metastatic lesions in the brain. These data demonstrate the potential of radiolabeled sdAbs as a valuable add-on treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat HER2pos metastatic cancer.
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32
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The Aggregation Conditions Define Whether EGCG is an Inhibitor or Enhancer of α-Synuclein Amyloid Fibril Formation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21061995. [PMID: 32183378 PMCID: PMC7139648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21061995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The amyloid fibril formation by α-synuclein is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative disorders, most notably Parkinson’s disease. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been reported to be an efficient inhibitor of amyloid formation by numerous proteins, among them α-synuclein. Here, we show that this applies only to a small region of the relevant parameter space, in particular to solution conditions where EGCG readily oxidizes, and we find that the oxidation product is a much more potent inhibitor compared to the unmodified EGCG. In addition to its inhibitory effects, EGCG and its oxidation products can under some conditions even accelerate α-synuclein amyloid fibril formation through facilitating its heterogeneous primary nucleation. Furthermore, we show through quantitative seeding experiments that, contrary to previous reports, EGCG is not able to re-model α-synuclein amyloid fibrils into seeding-incompetent structures. Taken together, our results paint a complex picture of EGCG as a compound that can under some conditions inhibit the amyloid fibril formation of α-synuclein, but the inhibitory action is not robust against various physiologically relevant changes in experimental conditions. Our results are important for the development of strategies to identify and characterize promising amyloid inhibitors.
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33
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Alpha-Synuclein Amyloid Aggregation Is Inhibited by Sulfated Aromatic Polymers and Pyridinium Polycation. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12030517. [PMID: 32121059 PMCID: PMC7182936 DOI: 10.3390/polym12030517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of a range of synthetic charged polymers on alpha-synuclein aggregation and amyloid formation was tested. Sulfated aromatic polymers, poly(styrene sulfonate) and poly(anethole sulfonate), have been found to suppress the fibril formation. In this case, small soluble complexes, which do not bind with thioflavin T, have been formed in contrast to the large stick-type fibrils of free alpha-synuclein. Sulfated polysaccharide (dextran sulfate), as well as sulfated vinylic polymer (poly(vinyl sulfate)) and polycarboxylate (poly(methacrylic acid)), enhanced amyloid aggregation. Conversely, pyridinium polycation, poly(N-ethylvinylpyridinium), switched the mechanism of alpha-synuclein aggregation from amyloidogenic to amorphous, which resulted in the formation of large amorphous aggregates that do not bind with thioflavin T. The obtained results are relevant as a model of charged macromolecules influence on amyloidosis development in humans. In addition, these results may be helpful in searching for new approaches for synucleinopathies treatment with the use of natural polymers.
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34
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Afitska K, Priss A, Yushchenko DA, Shvadchak VV. Structural Optimization of Inhibitors of α-Synuclein Fibril Growth: Affinity to the Fibril End as a Crucial Factor. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:967-977. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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35
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Zou Y, Qian Z, Gong Y, Tang Y, Wei G, Zhang Q. Critical nucleus of Greek-key-like core of α-synuclein protofibril and its disruption by dopamine and norepinephrine. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:203-211. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp04610k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Protofibrillar trimer is the critical nucleus for the αS fibril formation, and the tetramer is the minimal stable nucleus. The interactions of DA/NE with αS trimer/tetramer disrupt the backbone H-bonds and destabilize the αS protofibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zou
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science
- College of Education
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310007
- People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Qian
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education) and School of Kinesiology
- Shanghai University of Sport
- Shanghai 200438
- People's Republic of China
| | - Yehong Gong
- College of Physical Education and Training
- Shanghai University of Sport
- Shanghai 200438
- People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics
- Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Science (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University
- 220 Handan Road
- Shanghai 200433
- People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics
- Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Science (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University
- 220 Handan Road
- Shanghai 200433
- People's Republic of China
| | - Qingwen Zhang
- College of Physical Education and Training
- Shanghai University of Sport
- Shanghai 200438
- People's Republic of China
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36
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Stott SRW, Wyse RK, Brundin P. Novel approaches to counter protein aggregation pathology in Parkinson's disease. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 252:451-492. [PMID: 32247372 PMCID: PMC10019778 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The primary neuropathological characteristics of the Parkinsonian brain are the loss of nigral dopamine neurons and the aggregation of alpha synuclein protein. Efforts to development potentially disease-modifying treatments have largely focused on correcting these aspects of the condition. In the last decade treatments targeting protein aggregation have entered the clinical pipeline. In this chapter we provide an overview of ongoing clinical trial programs for different therapies attempting to reduce protein aggregation pathology in Parkinson's disease. We will also briefly consider various novel approaches being proposed-and being developed preclinically-to inhibit/reduce aggregated protein pathology in Parkinson's.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrik Brundin
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.
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37
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Structural Influence and Interactive Binding Behavior of Dopamine and Norepinephrine on the Greek-Key-Like Core of α-Synuclein Protofibril Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Processes (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/pr7110850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is closely associated with the aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) protein. Finding the effective inhibitors of αS aggregation has been considered as the primary therapeutic strategy for PD. Recent studies reported that two neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), can effectively inhibit αS aggregation and disrupt the preformed αS fibrils. However, the atomistic details of αS-DA/NE interaction remain unclear. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the binding behavior of DA/NE molecules and their structural influence on αS44–96 (Greek-key-like core of full length αS) protofibrillar tetramer. Our results showed that DA/NE molecules destabilize αS protofibrillar tetramer by disrupting the β-sheet structure and destroying the intra- and inter-peptide E46–K80 salt bridges, and they can also destroy the inter-chain backbone hydrogen bonds. Three binding sites were identified for both DA and NE molecules interacting with αS tetramer: T54–T72, Q79–A85, and F94–K96, and NE molecules had a stronger binding capacity to these sites than DA. The binding of DA/NE molecules to αS tetramer is dominantly driven by electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Through aromatic π-stacking, DA and NE molecules can bind to αS protofibril interactively. Our work reveals the detailed disruptive mechanism of protofibrillar αS oligomer by DA/NE molecules, which is helpful for the development of drug candidates against PD. Given that exercise as a stressor can stimulate DA/NE secretion and elevated levels of DA/NE could delay the progress of PD, this work also enhances our understanding of the biological mechanism by which exercise prevents and alleviates PD.
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38
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Longhena F, Faustini G, Brembati V, Pizzi M, Bellucci A. The good and bad of therapeutic strategies that directly target α-synuclein. IUBMB Life 2019; 72:590-600. [PMID: 31693290 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of either neuronal/axonal or glial insoluble proteinaceous aggregates mainly composed of α-synuclein (α-syn). Among them, the most common disorders are Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and some forms of familial parkinsonism. Both α-syn fibrils and oligomers have been found to exert toxic effects on neurons or oligodendroglial cells, can activate neuroinflammatory responses, and mediate the spreading of α-syn pathology. This poses the question of which is the most toxic α-syn species. What is worst, α-syn appears as a very peculiar protein, exerting multiple physiological functions in neurons, especially at synapses, but without acquiring a stable tertiary structure. Its conformation is particularly plastic, and the protein can exist in a natively unfolded state (mainly in solution), partially α-helical folded state (when it interacts with biological membranes), or oligomeric state (tetramers or dimers with debated functional profile). The extent of α-syn expression impinges on the resilience of neuronal cells, as multiplications of its gene locus, or overexpression, can cause neurodegeneration and onset of motor phenotype. For these reasons, one of the main challenges in the field of synucleinopathies, which still nowadays can only be managed by symptomatic therapies, has been the development of strategies aimed at reducing α-syn levels, oligomer formation, fibrillation, or cell-to-cell transmission. This review resumes the therapeutic approaches that have been proposed or are under development to counteract α-syn pathology by direct targeting of this protein and discuss their pros and cons in relation to the current state-of-the-art α-syn biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Longhena
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Viviana Brembati
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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39
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Liu F, Wang Y, Sang J, Wei W, Zhao W, Chen B, Zhao F, Jia L, Lu F. Brazilin Inhibits α-Synuclein Fibrillogenesis, Disrupts Mature Fibrils, and Protects against Amyloid-Induced Cytotoxicity. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:11769-11777. [PMID: 31575115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b04558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The inhibitory effect of brazilin against α-synuclein (α-syn) fibrillogenesis, disruption effect against mature fibrils, and the following cytotoxicity were examined by systematical biochemical, biophysical, cellular biological, and molecular simulation experiments. It is found that brazilin inhibited α-syn fibrillogenesis and disrupted the performed fibrils with a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, cellular experimental data showed that brazilin effectively reduced the cytotoxicity induced by α-syn aggregates. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore the interactions between brazilin and α-syn pentamer. It is found that brazilin directly interacts with α-syn pentamer, and the hydrophobic interactions are favorable for brazilin binding with the α-syn pentamer, while the electrostatic part provides adverse effects. Three binding regions were identified to inhibit α-syn fibrillogenesis or disrupt the preformed aggregates. Furthermore, six important residues (i.e., G51, V52, A53, E61, V66, and K80) of α-syn were also identified. We expected that brazilin is an effective agent against α-syn fibrillogenesis and associated cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fufeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology , Ministry of Education , Tianjin 300457 , P. R. China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fuping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology , Ministry of Education , Tianjin 300457 , P. R. China
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40
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The growth of amyloid fibrils: rates and mechanisms. Biochem J 2019; 476:2677-2703. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAmyloid fibrils are β-sheet-rich linear protein polymers that can be formed by a large variety of different proteins. These assemblies have received much interest in recent decades, due to their role in a range of human disorders. However, amyloid fibrils are also found in a functional context, whereby their structural, mechanical and thermodynamic properties are exploited by biological systems. Amyloid fibrils form through a nucleated polymerisation mechanism with secondary processes acting in many cases to amplify the number of fibrils. The filamentous nature of amyloid fibrils implies that the fibril growth rate is, by several orders of magnitude, the fastest step of the overall aggregation reaction. This article focusses specifically on in vitro experimental studies of the process of amyloid fibril growth, or elongation, and summarises the state of knowledge of its kinetics and mechanisms. This work attempts to provide the most comprehensive summary, to date, of the available experimental data on amyloid fibril elongation rate constants and the temperature and concentration dependence of amyloid fibril elongation rates. These data are compared with those from other types of protein polymers. This comparison with data from other polymerising proteins is interesting and relevant because many of the basic ideas and concepts discussed here were first introduced for non-amyloid protein polymers, most notably by the Japanese school of Oosawa and co-workers for cytoskeletal filaments.
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41
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Agerschou ED, Flagmeier P, Saridaki T, Galvagnion C, Komnig D, Heid L, Prasad V, Shaykhalishahi H, Willbold D, Dobson CM, Voigt A, Falkenburger B, Hoyer W, Buell AK. An engineered monomer binding-protein for α-synuclein efficiently inhibits the proliferation of amyloid fibrils. eLife 2019; 8:46112. [PMID: 31389332 PMCID: PMC6721797 DOI: 10.7554/elife.46112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Removing or preventing the formation of α-synuclein aggregates is a plausible strategy against Parkinson’s disease. To this end, we have engineered the β-wrapin AS69 to bind monomeric α-synuclein with high affinity. In cultured cells, AS69 reduced the self-interaction of α-synuclein and formation of visible α-synuclein aggregates. In flies, AS69 reduced α-synuclein aggregates and the locomotor deficit resulting from α-synuclein expression in neuronal cells. In biophysical experiments in vitro, AS69 highly sub-stoichiometrically inhibited both primary and autocatalytic secondary nucleation processes, even in the presence of a large excess of monomer. We present evidence that the AS69-α-synuclein complex, rather than the free AS69, is the inhibitory species responsible for sub-stoichiometric inhibition of secondary nucleation. These results represent a new paradigm that high affinity monomer binders can lead to strongly sub-stoichiometric inhibition of nucleation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Flagmeier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Céline Galvagnion
- RG Mechanisms of Neuroprotection, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology and Drug Design, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Komnig
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Laetitia Heid
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vibha Prasad
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hamed Shaykhalishahi
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6), Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Voigt
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bjoern Falkenburger
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Dresden University Medical Center, Dresden, Germany.,JARA BRAIN Institute II, Julich and Aachen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hoyer
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6), Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Alexander K Buell
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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42
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Dong C, Garen CR, Mercier P, Petersen NO, Woodside MT. Characterizing the inhibition of α-synuclein oligomerization by a pharmacological chaperone that prevents prion formation by the protein PrP. Protein Sci 2019; 28:1690-1702. [PMID: 31306510 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of the disordered protein α-synuclein into amyloid fibrils is a central feature of synucleinopathies, neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease. Small, pre-fibrillar oligomers of misfolded α-synuclein are thought to be the key toxic entities, and α-synuclein misfolding can propagate in a prion-like way. We explored whether a compound with anti-prion activity that can bind to unfolded parts of the protein PrP, the cyclic tetrapyrrole Fe-TMPyP, was also active against α-synuclein aggregation. Observing the initial stages of aggregation via fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy, we found that Fe-TMPyP inhibited small oligomer formation in a dose-dependent manner. Fe-TMPyP also inhibited the formation of mature amyloid fibrils in vitro, as detected by thioflavin T fluorescence. Isothermal titration calorimetry indicated Fe-TMPyP bound to monomeric α-synuclein with a stoichiometry of 2, and two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR spectra revealed significant interactions between Fe-TMPyP and the C-terminus of the protein. These results suggest commonalities among aggregation mechanisms for α-synuclein and the prion protein may exist that can be exploited as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Dong
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Craig R Garen
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Pascal Mercier
- National High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre (NANUC), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nils O Petersen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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43
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Vaikath NN, Hmila I, Gupta V, Erskine D, Ingelsson M, El-Agnaf OMA. Antibodies against alpha-synuclein: tools and therapies. J Neurochem 2019; 150:612-625. [PMID: 31055836 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy are characterized by the abnormal accumulation and propagation of α-synuclein (α-syn) pathology in the central and peripheral nervous system as Lewy bodies or glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Several antibodies against α-syn have been developed since it was first detected as the major component of Lewy bodies and glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Over the years, researchers have generated specific antibodies that alleviate the accumulation of intracellular aggregated α-syn and associated pathology in cellular and preclinical models of synucleinopathies. So far, antibodies have been the first choice as tools for research and diagnosis and currently, a wide variety of antibody fragments have been developed as an alternative to full-length antibodies for increasing its therapeutic usefulness. Recently, conformation specific antibody-based approaches have been found to be promising as therapeutic strategies, both to block α-syn aggregation and ameliorate the resultant cytotoxicity, and as diagnostic tools. In this review, we summarize different α-syn specific antibodies and provide their usefulness in tackling synucleinopathies. This article is part of the Special Issue "Synuclein".
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant N Vaikath
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Vijay Gupta
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Daniel Erskine
- Institute of Neuroscience, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Omar M A El-Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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44
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Bélanger K, Iqbal U, Tanha J, MacKenzie R, Moreno M, Stanimirovic D. Single-Domain Antibodies as Therapeutic and Imaging Agents for the Treatment of CNS Diseases. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8020027. [PMID: 31544833 PMCID: PMC6640712 DOI: 10.3390/antib8020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies have become one of the most successful therapeutics for a number of oncology and inflammatory diseases. So far, central nervous system (CNS) indications have missed out on the antibody revolution, while they remain 'hidden' behind several hard to breach barriers. Among the various antibody modalities, single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) may hold the 'key' to unlocking the access of antibody therapies to CNS diseases. The unique structural features of sdAbs make them the smallest monomeric antibody fragments suitable for molecular targeting. These features are of particular importance when developing antibodies as modular building blocks for engineering CNS-targeting therapeutics and imaging agents. In this review, we first introduce the characteristic properties of sdAbs compared to traditional antibodies. We then present recent advances in the development of sdAbs as potential therapeutics across brain barriers, including their use for the delivery of biologics across the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barriers, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and molecular imaging of brain targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasandra Bélanger
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Umar Iqbal
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Jamshid Tanha
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Roger MacKenzie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Maria Moreno
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Danica Stanimirovic
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
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45
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De S, Wirthensohn DC, Flagmeier P, Hughes C, Aprile FA, Ruggeri FS, Whiten DR, Emin D, Xia Z, Varela JA, Sormanni P, Kundel F, Knowles TPJ, Dobson CM, Bryant C, Vendruscolo M, Klenerman D. Different soluble aggregates of Aβ42 can give rise to cellular toxicity through different mechanisms. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1541. [PMID: 30948723 PMCID: PMC6449370 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09477-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a complex process resulting in the formation of heterogeneous mixtures of aggregate populations that are closely linked to neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we find that soluble aggregates formed at different stages of the aggregation process of amyloid beta (Aβ42) induce the disruption of lipid bilayers and an inflammatory response to different extents. Further, by using gradient ultracentrifugation assay, we show that the smaller aggregates are those most potent at inducing membrane permeability and most effectively inhibited by antibodies binding to the C-terminal region of Aβ42. By contrast, we find that the larger soluble aggregates are those most effective at causing an inflammatory response in microglia cells and more effectively inhibited by antibodies targeting the N-terminal region of Aβ42. These findings suggest that different toxic mechanisms driven by different soluble aggregated species of Aβ42 may contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman De
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - David C Wirthensohn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Patrick Flagmeier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Craig Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Francesco A Aprile
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Francesco S Ruggeri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Daniel R Whiten
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Derya Emin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Zengjie Xia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Juan A Varela
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Pietro Sormanni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Franziska Kundel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 1HE, UK
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Clare Bryant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
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46
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Ruggeri FS, Šneideris T, Vendruscolo M, Knowles TPJ. Atomic force microscopy for single molecule characterisation of protein aggregation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 664:134-148. [PMID: 30742801 PMCID: PMC6420408 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of atomic force microscopy (AFM) has opened up a wide range of novel opportunities in nanoscience and new modalities of observation in complex biological systems. AFM imaging has been widely employed to resolve the complex and heterogeneous conformational states involved in protein aggregation at the single molecule scale and shed light onto the molecular basis of a variety of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders. The study of individual macromolecules at nanoscale, however, remains challenging, especially when fully quantitative information is required. In this review, we first discuss the principles of AFM with a special emphasis on the fundamental factors defining its sensitivity and accuracy. We then review the fundamental parameters and approaches to work at the limit of AFM resolution in order to perform single molecule statistical analysis of biomolecules and nanoscale protein aggregates. This single molecule statistical approach has proved to be powerful to unravel the molecular and hierarchical assembly of the misfolded species present transiently during protein aggregation, to visualise their dynamics at the nanoscale, as well to study the structural properties of amyloid-inspired functional nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Centre for Misfolding Disease, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
| | - Tomas Šneideris
- Centre for Misfolding Disease, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Disease, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Disease, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom; Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
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Paul A, Zhang BD, Mohapatra S, Li G, Li YM, Gazit E, Segal D. Novel Mannitol-Based Small Molecules for Inhibiting Aggregation of α-Synuclein Amyloids in Parkinson's Disease. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:16. [PMID: 30968030 PMCID: PMC6438916 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of the amyloidogenic protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) into toxic oligomers and mature fibrils is the major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Small molecules that inhibit α-Syn aggregation thus may be useful therapeutics for PD. Mannitol and naphthoquinone-tryptophan (NQTrp) have been shown in the past to inhibit α-Syn aggregation by different mechanisms. Herein, we tested whether the conjugation of Mannitol and NQTrp may result in enhance efficacy toward α-Syn. The molecules were conjugated either by a click linker or via a PEG linker. The effect of the conjugate molecules on α-Syn aggregation in vitro was monitored using Thioflavin T fluorescence assay, circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy, and Congo red birefringence assay. One of the conjugate molecules was found to be more effective than the two parent molecules and as effective as a mixture of the two. The conjugate molecules attenuated the disruptive effect of α-Syn on artificial membrane of Large Unilamellar Vesicles as monitored by dye leakage assay. The conjugates were found to be have low cytotoxicity and reduced toxicity of α-Syn toward SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These novel designed entities can be attractive scaffold for the development of therapeutic agents for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Paul
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bo-Dou Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Satabdee Mohapatra
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gao Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Parkinson Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ehud Gazit
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Imaging individual protein aggregates to follow aggregation and determine the role of aggregates in neurodegenerative disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1867:870-878. [PMID: 30611780 PMCID: PMC6676340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein aggregates play a key role in the initiation and spreading of neurodegenerative disease but have been difficult to study due to their low abundance and heterogeneity, in both size and structure. Fluorescence based methods capable of detecting and characterising single aggregates have recently been developed and can be used to measure many important aggregate properties, and can be combined with sensitive assays to measure aggregate toxicity. Here we review these methods and discuss recent examples of their application to determine the molecular mechanism of aggregation and the detection of aggregates in cells and cerebrospinal fluid. The further development of these methods and their application to the aggregates present in humans has the potential to solve a major problem in the field and allow the identification of the key toxic species that should be targeted in therapies. Individual protein aggregates can be imaged using fluorescence imaging. Ultra-sensitive assays have been developed to measure aggregate toxicity. The aggregation mechanism of proteins can be determined. Experiments can be performed in cells or human cerebrospinal fluid. These methods can potentially identify the toxic aggregates that cause neurodegenerative disease.
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Jia L, Wang Y, Wei W, Zhao W, Lu F, Liu F. Vitamin B12 inhibits α-synuclein fibrillogenesis and protects against amyloid-induced cytotoxicity. Food Funct 2019; 10:2861-2870. [DOI: 10.1039/c8fo02471e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
VB12, a necessary micronutrient, is a potential functional factor to ameliorate PD by inhibiting α-synuclein fibrillogenesis and reducing cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longgang Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Ministry of Education
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Ministry of Education
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Ministry of Education
| | - Wenping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Ministry of Education
| | - Fuping Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Ministry of Education
| | - Fufeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin
- P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Ministry of Education
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