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Caldi Gomes L, Hänzelmann S, Hausmann F, Khatri R, Oller S, Parvaz M, Tzeplaeff L, Pasetto L, Gebelin M, Ebbing M, Holzapfel C, Columbro SF, Scozzari S, Knöferle J, Cordts I, Demleitner AF, Deschauer M, Dufke C, Sturm M, Zhou Q, Zelina P, Sudria-Lopez E, Haack TB, Streb S, Kuzma-Kozakiewicz M, Edbauer D, Pasterkamp RJ, Laczko E, Rehrauer H, Schlapbach R, Carapito C, Bonetto V, Bonn S, Lingor P. Multiomic ALS signatures highlight subclusters and sex differences suggesting the MAPK pathway as therapeutic target. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4893. [PMID: 38849340 PMCID: PMC11161513 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49196-y] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating motor neuron disease and lacks effective disease-modifying treatments. This study utilizes a comprehensive multiomic approach to investigate the early and sex-specific molecular mechanisms underlying ALS. By analyzing the prefrontal cortex of 51 patients with sporadic ALS and 50 control subjects, alongside four transgenic mouse models (C9orf72-, SOD1-, TDP-43-, and FUS-ALS), we have uncovered significant molecular alterations associated with the disease. Here, we show that males exhibit more pronounced changes in molecular pathways compared to females. Our integrated analysis of transcriptomes, (phospho)proteomes, and miRNAomes also identified distinct ALS subclusters in humans, characterized by variations in immune response, extracellular matrix composition, mitochondrial function, and RNA processing. The molecular signatures of human subclusters were reflected in specific mouse models. Our study highlighted the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway as an early disease mechanism. We further demonstrate that trametinib, a MAPK inhibitor, has potential therapeutic benefits in vitro and in vivo, particularly in females, suggesting a direction for developing targeted ALS treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Caldi Gomes
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja Hänzelmann
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Hausmann
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robin Khatri
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sergio Oller
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mojan Parvaz
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Tzeplaeff
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Pasetto
- Research Center for ALS, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Gebelin
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, Université de Strasbourg, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Melanie Ebbing
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Constantin Holzapfel
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Serena Scozzari
- Research Center for ALS, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Johanna Knöferle
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Isabell Cordts
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Antonia F Demleitner
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcus Deschauer
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Dufke
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marc Sturm
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Qihui Zhou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), München, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Pavol Zelina
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Emma Sudria-Lopez
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Streb
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dieter Edbauer
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), München, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Endre Laczko
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Rehrauer
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Schlapbach
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christine Carapito
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, Université de Strasbourg, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Research Center for ALS, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefan Bonn
- Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Paul Lingor
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, rechts der Isar Hospital, Clinical Department of Neurology, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), München, Germany.
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Blinova VG, Abramova AA, Shishparenok AN, Eliseeva DD. Induction of FoxP3 Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing to Enhance the Suppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1022. [PMID: 38790984 PMCID: PMC11117958 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) is a key transcription factor responsible for the development, maturation, and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The FoxP3 pre-mRNA is subject to alternative splicing, resulting in the translation of multiple splice variants. We have shown that Tregs from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have reduced expression of full-length (FL) FoxP3, while other truncated splice variants are expressed predominantly. A correlation was observed between the reduced number of Tregs in the peripheral blood of ALS patients, reduced total FoxP3 mRNA, and reduced mRNA of its FL splice variant. Induction of FL FoxP3 was achieved using splice-switching oligonucleotides capable of base pairing with FoxP3 pre-mRNA and selectively modulating the inclusion of exons 2 and 7 in the mature mRNA. Selective expression of FL FoxP3 resulted in the induction of CD127low, CD152, and Helios-positive cells, while the cell markers CD4 and CD25 were not altered. Such Tregs had an increased proliferative activity and a higher frequency of cell divisions per day. The increased suppressive activity of Tregs with the induced FL FoxP3 splice variant was associated with the increased synthesis of the pro-apoptotic granzymes A and B, and perforin, IL-10, and IL-35, which are responsible for contact-independent suppression, and with the increased ability to suppress telomerase in target cells. The upregulation of Treg suppressive and proliferative activity using splice-switching oligonucleotides to induce the predominant expression of the FoxP3 FL variant is a promising approach for regenerative cell therapy in Treg-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Anna A. Abramova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Daria D. Eliseeva
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
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Wang H, Liu YT, Ren YL, Guo XY, Wang Y. Association of peripheral immune activation with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 388:578290. [PMID: 38301596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have revealed the link between immune activation and neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS By employing meta-analysis, we estimated the standardized mean difference (SMD) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between the groups. RESULTS According to the pre-set criteria, a total of 21 published articles including 2377 ALS patients and 1244 HCs, as well as 60 articles including 5111 PD patients and 4237 HCs, were identified. This study provided evidence of peripheral immune activation in the pathogenesis of ALS and PD. CONCLUSION Our results suggested monitoring changes in peripheral blood immune cell populations, particularly lymphocyte subsets, will benefit understanding the developments and exploring reliable and specific biomarkers of these two diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yi-Ti Liu
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Diseases and Brain Function Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yan-Ling Ren
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Guo
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Diseases and Brain Function Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Sun Z, Zhang B, Peng Y. Development of novel treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:467-482. [PMID: 38078970 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes paralysis whose etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated. Presently it is incurable and rapidly progressive with a survival of 2-5 years from onset, and no treatments could cure it. Therefore, it is urgent to identify which therapeutic target(s) are more promising to develop treatments that could effectively treat ALS. So far, more than 90 novel treatments for ALS patients have been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, of which 23 are in clinical trials, 12 have been terminated and the rest suspended. This review will systematically summarize the possible targets of these novel treatments under development or failing based on published literature and information released by sponsors, so as to provide basis and support for subsequent drug research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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He D, Xu Y, Liu M, Cui L. The Inflammatory Puzzle: Piecing together the Links between Neuroinflammation and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Aging Dis 2024; 15:96-114. [PMID: 37307819 PMCID: PMC10796096 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that has a complex genetic basis. Through advancements in genetic screening, researchers have identified more than 40 mutant genes associated with ALS, some of which impact immune function. Neuroinflammation, with abnormal activation of immune cells and excessive production of inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system, significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of ALS. In this review, we examine recent evidence on the involvement of ALS-associated mutant genes in immune dysregulation, with a specific focus on the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway and N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-mediated immune regulation in the context of neurodegeneration. We also discuss the perturbation of immune cell homeostasis in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues in ALS. Furthermore, we explore the advancements made in the emerging genetic and cell-based therapies for ALS. This review underscores the complex relationship between ALS and neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential to identify modifiable factors for therapeutic intervention. A deeper understanding of the connection between neuroinflammation and the risk of ALS is crucial for advancing effective treatments for this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
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Baena-Caldas GP, Li J, Pedraza L, Ghosh S, Kalmes A, Barone FC, Moreno H, Hernández AI. Neuroprotective effect of the RNS60 in a mouse model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295504. [PMID: 38166102 PMCID: PMC10760892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke is a major cause of death, disability, and public health problems. Its intervention is limited to early treatment with thrombolytics and/or endovascular clot removal with mechanical thrombectomy without any available subacute or chronic neuroprotective treatments. RNS60 has reduced neuroinflammation and increased neuronal survival in several animal models of neurodegeneration and trauma. The aim here was to evaluate whether RNS60 protects the brain and cognitive function in a mouse stroke model. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to sham or ischemic stroke surgery using 60-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo). In each group, mice received blinded daily administrations of RNS60 or control fluids (PNS60 or normal saline [NS]), beginning 2 hours after surgery over 13 days. Multiple neurobehavioral tests were conducted (Neurological Severity Score [mNSS], Novel Object Recognition [NOR], Active Place Avoidance [APA], and the Conflict Variant of APA [APAc]). On day 14, cortical microvascular perfusion (MVP) was measured, then brains were removed and infarct volume, immunofluorescence of amyloid beta (Aβ), neuronal density, microglial activation, and white matter damage/myelination were measured. SPSS was used for analysis (e.g., ANOVA for parametric data; Kruskal Wallis for non-parametric data; with post-hoc analysis). RESULTS Thirteen days of treatment with RNS60 reduced brain infarction, amyloid pathology, neuronal death, microglial activation, white matter damage, and increased MVP. RNS60 reduced brain pathology and resulted in behavioral improvements in stroke compared to sham surgery mice (increased memory-learning in NOR and APA, improved cognitive flexibility in APAc). CONCLUSION RNS60-treated mice exhibit significant protection of brain tissue and improved neurobehavioral functioning after tMCAo-stroke. Additional work is required to determine mechanisms, time-window of dosing, and multiple dosing volumes durations to support clinical stroke research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Patricia Baena-Caldas
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
- Health Sciences Division, Department of Morphology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Jie Li
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
| | - Lina Pedraza
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
| | - Supurna Ghosh
- Revalesio Corporation, Tacoma, WA, United States of America
| | - Andreas Kalmes
- Revalesio Corporation, Tacoma, WA, United States of America
| | - Frank C. Barone
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
- The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
| | - Herman Moreno
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
- The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
| | - A. Iván Hernández
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
- The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
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Gao C, Jiang J, Tan Y, Chen S. Microglia in neurodegenerative diseases: mechanism and potential therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:359. [PMID: 37735487 PMCID: PMC10514343 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia activation is observed in various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent advances in single-cell technologies have revealed that these reactive microglia were with high spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Some identified microglia in specific states correlate with pathological hallmarks and are associated with specific functions. Microglia both exert protective function by phagocytosing and clearing pathological protein aggregates and play detrimental roles due to excessive uptake of protein aggregates, which would lead to microglial phagocytic ability impairment, neuroinflammation, and eventually neurodegeneration. In addition, peripheral immune cells infiltration shapes microglia into a pro-inflammatory phenotype and accelerates disease progression. Microglia also act as a mobile vehicle to propagate protein aggregates. Extracellular vesicles released from microglia and autophagy impairment in microglia all contribute to pathological progression and neurodegeneration. Thus, enhancing microglial phagocytosis, reducing microglial-mediated neuroinflammation, inhibiting microglial exosome synthesis and secretion, and promoting microglial conversion into a protective phenotype are considered to be promising strategies for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we comprehensively review the biology of microglia and the roles of microglia in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies and Huntington's disease. We also summarize the possible microglia-targeted interventions and treatments against neurodegenerative diseases with preclinical and clinical evidence in cell experiments, animal studies, and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Gao
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuyan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shengdi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China.
- Lab for Translational Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), Shanghai Tech University, 201210, Shanghai, China.
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Soares P, Silva C, Chavarria D, Silva FSG, Oliveira PJ, Borges F. Drug discovery and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Emerging challenges and therapeutic opportunities. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 83:101790. [PMID: 36402404 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) leading to paralysis and, ultimately, death by respiratory failure 3-5 years after diagnosis. Edaravone and Riluzole, the only drugs currently approved for ALS treatment, only provide mild symptomatic relief to patients. Extraordinary progress in understanding the biology of ALS provided new grounds for drug discovery. Over the last two decades, mitochondria and oxidative stress (OS), iron metabolism and ferroptosis, and the major regulators of hypoxia and inflammation - HIF and NF-κB - emerged as promising targets for ALS therapeutic intervention. In this review, we focused our attention on these targets to outline and discuss current advances in ALS drug development. Based on the challenges and the roadblocks, we believe that the rational design of multi-target ligands able to modulate the complex network of events behind the disease can provide effective therapies in a foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Soares
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Catia Silva
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniel Chavarria
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filomena S G Silva
- CNC - CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo J Oliveira
- CNC - CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; IIUC - Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Borges
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Beghi E, Pupillo E, Bianchi E, Bonetto V, Luotti S, Pasetto L, Bendotti C, Tortarolo M, Sironi F, Camporeale L, Sherman AV, Paganoni S, Scognamiglio A, De Marchi F, Bongioanni P, Del Carratore R, Caponnetto C, Diamanti L, Martinelli D, Calvo A, Filosto M, Padovani A, Piccinelli SC, Ricci C, Dalla Giacoma S, De Angelis N, Inghilleri M, Spataro R, La Bella V, Logroscino G, Lunetta C, Tarlarini C, Mandrioli J, Martinelli I, Simonini C, Zucchi E, Monsurrò MR, Ricciardi D, Trojsi F, Riva N, Filippi M, Simone IL, Sorarù G, Spera C, Florio L, Messina S, Russo M, Siciliano G, Conte A, Saddi MV, Carboni N, Mazzini L. Effect of RNS60 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a phase II multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:69-86. [PMID: 36148821 PMCID: PMC10092300 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. RNS60 is an immunomodulatory and neuroprotective investigational product that has shown efficacy in animal models of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Its administration has been safe and well tolerated in ALS subjects in previous early phase trials. METHODS This was a phase II, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Participants diagnosed with definite, probable or probable laboratory-supported ALS were assigned to receive RNS60 or placebo administered for 24 weeks intravenously (375 ml) once a week and via nebulization (4 ml/day) on non-infusion days, followed by an additional 24 weeks off-treatment. The primary objective was to measure the effects of RNS60 treatment on selected biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration in peripheral blood. Secondary objectives were to measure the effect of RNS60 on functional impairment (ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised), a measure of self-sufficiency, respiratory function (forced vital capacity, FVC), quality of life (ALS Assessment Questionnaire-40, ALSAQ-40) and survival. Tolerability and safety were assessed. RESULTS Seventy-four participants were assigned to RNS60 and 73 to placebo. Assessed biomarkers did not differ between arms. The mean rate of decline in FVC and the eating and drinking domain of ALSAQ-40 was slower in the RNS60 arm (FVC, difference 0.41 per week, standard error 0.16, p = 0.0101; ALSAQ-40, difference -0.19 per week, standard error 0.10, p = 0.0319). Adverse events were similar in the two arms. In a post hoc analysis, neurofilament light chain increased over time in bulbar onset placebo participants whilst remaining stable in those treated with RNS60. CONCLUSIONS The positive effects of RNS60 on selected measures of respiratory and bulbar function warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Beghi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Bianchi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Luotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Pasetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Tortarolo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Camporeale
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Alexander V Sherman
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Department of PM&R, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ada Scognamiglio
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongioanni
- Spinal Cord Injuries Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Calvo
- Centro Regionale Esperto per la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze 'Rita Levi Montalcini', Università degli Studi di Torino, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Gussago Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Gussago Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Ricci
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Dalla Giacoma
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicoletta De Angelis
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Università di Roma 'Sapienza' UOSD Malattie Neurodegenerative, Centro Malattie Rare Neuromuscolari Policlinico Universitario Umberto I, Roma, Italy
| | - Rossella Spataro
- ALS Clinical Research Center, AOUP 'P Giaccone' - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo La Bella
- ALS Clinical Research Center, AOUP 'P Giaccone' - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Center for neurodegenerative diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari at 'Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico 'Hospital Tricase, Tricase, Italy.,Department of Basic Medicine Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University Aldo Moro Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy.,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy.,Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Monsurrò
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Ricciardi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neurology Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, and Neurophysiology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neurology Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, and Neurophysiology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Motor Neuton Disease Center, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Florio
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Carboni
- Neurology Department, San Francesco Hospital, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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10
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Platform Communications: Abstract Book – 33rd International Symposium on ALS/MND (Complete printable file). Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2082738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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11
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Trolese MC, Scarpa C, Melfi V, Fabbrizio P, Sironi F, Rossi M, Bendotti C, Nardo G. Boosting the peripheral immune response in the skeletal muscles improved motor function in ALS transgenic mice. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2760-2784. [PMID: 35477657 PMCID: PMC9372324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) is one of the most powerful pro-inflammatory chemokines. However, its signalling is pivotal in driving injured axon and muscle regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Trolese
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Scarpa
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Melfi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Rossi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy;.
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy;.
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12
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Liu E, Karpf L, Bohl D. Neuroinflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia and the Interest of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Immune Cells Interactions With Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:767041. [PMID: 34970118 PMCID: PMC8712677 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.767041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a shared hallmark between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). For long, studies were conducted on tissues of post-mortem patients and neuroinflammation was thought to be only bystander result of the disease with the immune system reacting to dying neurons. In the last two decades, thanks to improving technologies, the identification of causal genes and the development of new tools and models, the involvement of inflammation has emerged as a potential driver of the diseases and evolved as a new area of intense research. In this review, we present the current knowledge about neuroinflammation in ALS, ALS-FTD, and FTD patients and animal models and we discuss reasons of failures linked to therapeutic trials with immunomodulator drugs. Then we present the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and its interest as a new tool to have a better immunopathological comprehension of both diseases in a human context. The iPSC technology giving the unique opportunity to study cells across differentiation and maturation times, brings the hope to shed light on the different mechanisms linking neurodegeneration and activation of the immune system. Protocols available to differentiate iPSC into different immune cell types are presented. Finally, we discuss the interest in studying monocultures of iPS-derived immune cells, co-cultures with neurons and 3D cultures with different cell types, as more integrated cellular approaches. The hope is that the future work with human iPS-derived cells helps not only to identify disease-specific defects in the different cell types but also to decipher the synergistic effects between neurons and immune cells. These new cellular tools could help to find new therapeutic approaches for all patients with ALS, ALS-FTD, and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Liu
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Léa Karpf
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Bohl
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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13
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Afshari R, Akhavan O, Hamblin MR, Varma RS. Review of Oxygenation with Nanobubbles: Possible Treatment for Hypoxic COVID-19 Patients. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2021; 4:11386-11412. [PMID: 37556289 PMCID: PMC8565459 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c01907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has spread around the world, caused the death of many affected patients, partly because of the lack of oxygen arising from impaired respiration or blood circulation. Thus, maintaining an appropriate level of oxygen in the patients' blood by devising alternatives to ventilator systems is a top priority goal for clinicians. The present review highlights the ever-increasing application of nanobubbles (NBs), miniature gaseous vesicles, for the oxygenation of hypoxic patients. Oxygen-containing NBs can exert a range of beneficial physiologic and pharmacologic effects that include tissue oxygenation, as well as tissue repair mechanisms, antiinflammatory properties, and antibacterial activity. In this review, we provide a comprehensive survey of the application of oxygen-containing NBs, with a primary focus on the development of intravenous platforms. The multimodal functions of oxygen-carrying NBs, including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, drug carrying, and the promotion of wound healing are discussed, including the benefits and challenges of using NBs as a treatment for patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, particularly due to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronak Afshari
- Department of Physics, Sharif University
of Technology, P.O. Box 11155-9161, Tehran 14588-89694,
Iran
| | - Omid Akhavan
- Department of Physics, Sharif University
of Technology, P.O. Box 11155-9161, Tehran 14588-89694,
Iran
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science,
University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South
Africa
| | - Rajender S. Varma
- Regional Center of Advanced Technologies and Materials,
Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky
University, Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc 78371, Czech
Republic
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14
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De Marchi F, Munitic I, Amedei A, Berry JD, Feldman EL, Aronica E, Nardo G, Van Weehaeghe D, Niccolai E, Prtenjaca N, Sakowski SA, Bendotti C, Mazzini L. Interplay between immunity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical impact. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:958-978. [PMID: 34153344 PMCID: PMC8428677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease. Despite decades of research and many new insights into disease biology over the 150 years since the disease was first described, causative pathogenic mechanisms in ALS remain poorly understood, especially in sporadic cases. Our understanding of the role of the immune system in ALS pathophysiology, however, is rapidly expanding. The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the recent advances regarding the immune system involvement in ALS, with particular attention to clinical translation. We focus on the potential pathophysiologic mechanism of the immune system in ALS, discussing local and systemic factors (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and microbiota) that influence ALS onset and progression in animal models and people. We also explore the potential of Positron Emission Tomography to detect neuroinflammation in vivo, and discuss ongoing clinical trials of therapies targeting the immune system. With validation in human patients, new evidence in this emerging field will serve to identify novel therapeutic targets and provide realistic hope for personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy
| | - Ivana Munitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - James D Berry
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Donatienne Van Weehaeghe
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elena Niccolai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nikolina Prtenjaca
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy.
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15
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Traiffort E, Morisset-Lopez S, Moussaed M, Zahaf A. Defective Oligodendroglial Lineage and Demyelination in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073426. [PMID: 33810425 PMCID: PMC8036314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neurons and their axons reaching the skeletal muscle have long been considered as the best characterized targets of the degenerative process observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the involvement of glial cells was also more recently reported. Although oligodendrocytes have been underestimated for a longer time than other cells, they are presently considered as critically involved in axonal injury and also conversely constitute a target for the toxic effects of the degenerative neurons. In the present review, we highlight the recent advances regarding oligodendroglial cell involvement in the pathogenesis of ALS. First, we present the oligodendroglial cells, the process of myelination, and the tight relationship between axons and myelin. The histological abnormalities observed in ALS and animal models of the disease are described, including myelin defects and oligodendroglial accumulation of pathological protein aggregates. Then, we present data that establish the existence of dysfunctional and degenerating oligodendroglial cells, the chain of events resulting in oligodendrocyte degeneration, and the most recent molecular mechanisms supporting oligodendrocyte death and dysfunction. Finally, we review the arguments in support of the primary versus secondary involvement of oligodendrocytes in the disease and discuss the therapeutic perspectives related to oligodendrocyte implication in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Traiffort
- Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System U1195 INSERM, Paris Saclay University, 80 Rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Séverine Morisset-Lopez
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR 4301 CNRS, Orléans University, INSERM, rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 02, 45071 Orleans, France; (S.M.-L.); (M.M.)
| | - Mireille Moussaed
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR 4301 CNRS, Orléans University, INSERM, rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 02, 45071 Orleans, France; (S.M.-L.); (M.M.)
| | - Amina Zahaf
- Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System U1195 INSERM, Paris Saclay University, 80 Rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
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16
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Raffaele S, Boccazzi M, Fumagalli M. Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030565. [PMID: 33807572 PMCID: PMC8000560 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelin is the lipid-rich structure formed by oligodendrocytes (OLs) that wraps the axons in multilayered sheaths, assuring protection, efficient saltatory signal conduction and metabolic support to neurons. In the last few years, the impact of OL dysfunction and myelin damage has progressively received more attention and is now considered to be a major contributing factor to neurodegeneration in several neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Upon OL injury, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) of adult nervous tissue sustain the generation of new OLs for myelin reconstitution, but this spontaneous regeneration process fails to successfully counteract myelin damage. Of note, the functions of OPCs exceed the formation and repair of myelin, and also involve the trophic support to axons and the capability to exert an immunomodulatory role, which are particularly relevant in the context of neurodegeneration. In this review, we deeply analyze the impact of dysfunctional OLs in ALS pathogenesis. The possible mechanisms underlying OL degeneration, defective OPC maturation, and impairment in energy supply to motor neurons (MNs) have also been examined to provide insights on future therapeutic interventions. On this basis, we discuss the potential therapeutic utility in ALS of several molecules, based on their remyelinating potential or capability to enhance energy metabolism.
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Trolese MC, Mariani A, Terao M, de Paola M, Fabbrizio P, Sironi F, Kurosaki M, Bonanno S, Marcuzzo S, Bernasconi P, Trojsi F, Aronica E, Bendotti C, Nardo G. CXCL13/CXCR5 signalling is pivotal to preserve motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. EBioMedicine 2020; 62:103097. [PMID: 33161233 PMCID: PMC7670099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CXCL13 is a B and T lymphocyte chemokine that mediates neuroinflammation through its receptor CXCR5. This chemokine is highly expressed by motoneurons (MNs) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) SOD1G93A (mSOD1) mice during the disease, particularly in fast-progressing mice. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the role of this chemokine in ALS. METHODS We used in vitro and in vivo experimental paradigms derived from ALS mice and patients to investigate the expression level and distribution of CXCL13/CXCR5 axis and its role in MN death and disease progression. Moreover, we compared the levels of CXCL13 in the CSF and serum of ALS patients and controls. FINDINGS CXCL13 and CXCR5 are overexpressed in the spinal MNs and peripheral axons in mSOD1 mice. CXCL13 inhibition in the CNS of ALS mice resulted in the exacerbation of motor impairment (n = 4/group;Mean_Diff.=27.81) and decrease survival (n = 14_Treated:19.2 ± 1.05wks, n = 17_Controls:20.2 ± 0.6wks; 95% CI: 0.4687-1.929). This was corroborated by evidence from primary spinal cultures where the inhibition or activation of CXCL13 exacerbated or prevented the MN loss. Besides, we found that CXCL13/CXCR5 axis is overexpressed in the spinal cord MNs of ALS patients, and CXCL13 levels in the CSF discriminate ALS (n = 30) from Multiple Sclerosis (n = 16) patients with a sensitivity of 97.56%. INTERPRETATION We hypothesise that MNs activate CXCL13 signalling to attenuate CNS inflammation and prevent the neuromuscular denervation. The low levels of CXCL13 in the CSF of ALS patients might reflect the MN dysfunction, suggesting this chemokine as a potential clinical adjunct to discriminate ALS from other neurological diseases. FUNDING Vaccinex, Inc.; Regione Lombardia (TRANS-ALS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Trolese
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mariani
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Mineko Terao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Massimiliano de Paola
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Mami Kurosaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Pia Bernasconi
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", P.zza Miraglia 2, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medic\\\al Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, Netherlands
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy.
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18
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A Novel HGF/SF Receptor (MET) Agonist Transiently Delays the Disease Progression in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mouse Model by Promoting Neuronal Survival and Dampening the Immune Dysregulation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228542. [PMID: 33198383 PMCID: PMC7696450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatment. The Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF), through its receptor MET, is one of the most potent survival-promoting factors for motor neurons (MN) and is known as a modulator of immune cell function. We recently developed a novel recombinant MET agonist optimized for therapy, designated K1K1. K1K1 was ten times more potent than HGF/SF in preventing MN loss in an in vitro model of ALS. Treatments with K1K1 delayed the onset of muscular impairment and reduced MN loss and skeletal muscle denervation of superoxide dismutase 1 G93A (SOD1G93A) mice. This effect was associated with increased levels of phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK) in the spinal cord and sciatic nerves and the activation of non-myelinating Schwann cells. Moreover, reduced activated microglia and astroglia, lower T cells infiltration and increased interleukin 4 (IL4) levels were found in the lumbar spinal cord of K1K1 treated mice. K1K1 treatment also prevented the infiltration of T cells in skeletal muscle of SOD1G93A mice. All these protective effects were lost on long-term treatment suggesting a mechanism of drug tolerance. These data provide a rational justification for further exploring the long-term loss of K1K1 efficacy in the perspective of providing a potential treatment for ALS.
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19
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Wang Y, Patani R. Novel therapeutic targets for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: ribonucleoproteins and cellular autonomy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:971-984. [PMID: 32746659 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1805734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease with a lifetime risk of approximately 1:400. It is incurable and invariably fatal. Average survival is between 3 and 5 years and patients become increasingly paralyzed, losing the ability to speak, eat, and breathe. Therapies in development either (i) target specific familial forms of ALS (comprising a minority of around 10% of cases) or ii) emanate from (over)reliance on animal models or non-human/non-neuronal cell models. There is a desperate and unmet clinical need for effective treatments. Deciphering the primacy and relative contributions of defective protein homeostasis and RNA metabolism in ALS across different model systems will facilitate the identification of putative therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED This review examines the putative common primary molecular events that lead to ALS pathogenesis. We focus on deregulated RNA metabolism, protein mislocalization/pathological aggregation and the role of glia in ALS-related motor neuron degeneration. Finally, we describe promising targets for therapeutic evaluation. EXPERT OPINION Moving forward, an effective strategy could be achieved by a poly-therapeutic approach which targets both deregulated RNA metabolism and protein dyshomeostasis in the relevant cell types, at the appropriate phase of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Wang
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London , London, UK.,Human Stem Cells and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute , London, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London , London, UK.,Human Stem Cells and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute , London, UK
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20
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Giovannelli I, Heath P, Shaw PJ, Kirby J. The involvement of regulatory T cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their therapeutic potential. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:435-444. [PMID: 32484719 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1752246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, meaning the establishment of a diffuse inflammatory condition in the CNS, is one of the main hallmarks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recently, a crucial role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in this disease has been outlined. Tregs are a T cell subpopulation with immunomodulatory properties. In this review, we discuss the physiology of Tregs and their role in ALS disease onset and progression. Evidence has demonstrated that in ALS patients Tregs are dramatically and progressively reduced in number and are less effective in promoting immune suppression. In addition, Tregs levels correlate with the rate of disease progression and patient survival. For this reason, Tregs are now considered a promising therapeutic target for neuroprotection in ALS. In this review, the clinical impact of these cells will be discussed and an overview of the current clinical trials targeting Tregs is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Giovannelli
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P Heath
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - J Kirby
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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21
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Barp A, Gerardi F, Lizio A, Sansone VA, Lunetta C. Emerging Drugs for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Focus on Recent Phase 2 Trials. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2020; 25:145-164. [PMID: 32456491 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2020.1769067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease involving both upper and lower motor neurons and resulting in increasing disability and death 3-5 years after onset of symptoms. Over 40 large clinical trials for ALS have been negative, except for Riluzole that offers a modest survival benefit, and Edaravone that modestly reduces disease progression in patients with specific characteristics. Thus, the discovery of efficient disease modifying therapy is an urgent need. AREAS COVERED Although the cause of ALS remains unclear, many studies have demonstrated that neuroinflammation, proteinopathies, glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, microglial activation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction may play a key role in the pathogenesis. This review highlights recent discoveries relating to these diverse mechanisms and their implications for the development of therapy. Ongoing phase 2 clinical trials aimed to interfere with these pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed. EXPERT OPINION This review describes the challenges that the discovery of an efficient drug therapy faces and how these issues may be addressed. With the continuous advances coming from basic research, we provided possible suggestions that may be considered to improve performance of clinical trials and turn ALS research into a 'fertile ground' for drug development for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Barp
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus , Milan, Italy.,Dept. Biomedical Sciences of Health, University of Milan , Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Lizio
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus , Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Ada Sansone
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus , Milan, Italy.,Dept. Biomedical Sciences of Health, University of Milan , Milan, Italy
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22
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Disease-modifying therapies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 2020; 167:107986. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.107986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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23
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Cho KS, Lee JH, Cho J, Cha GH, Song GJ. Autophagy Modulators and Neuroinflammation. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:955-982. [PMID: 30381067 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181031144605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders. Therefore, various studies have focused on the development of neuroinflammation inhibitors as potential therapeutic tools. Recently, the involvement of autophagy in the regulation of neuroinflammation has drawn substantial scientific interest, and a growing number of studies support the role of impaired autophagy in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative disorders. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to review recent research on the role of autophagy in controlling neuroinflammation. We focus on studies employing both mammalian cells and animal models to evaluate the ability of different autophagic modulators to regulate neuroinflammation. METHODS We have mostly reviewed recent studies reporting anti-neuroinflammatory properties of autophagy. We also briefly discussed a few studies showing that autophagy modulators activate neuroinflammation in certain conditions. RESULTS Recent studies report neuroprotective as well as anti-neuroinflammatory effects of autophagic modulators. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs and their potential limitations as therapeutic agents against neurological disorders. CONCLUSION Autophagy activators are promising compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders involving neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Sang Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jang Ho Lee
- Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jeiwon Cho
- Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea.,Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Guang-Ho Cha
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, 35015 Daejeon, Korea
| | - Gyun Jee Song
- Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea.,Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Korea
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24
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Rangasamy SB, Ghosh S, Pahan K. RNS60, a physically-modified saline, inhibits glial activation, suppresses neuronal apoptosis and protects memory in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol 2020; 328:113279. [PMID: 32151546 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health issue that causes long-term neurological disability, particularly in young adults, athletes and war veterans. Despite the use of different medications or surgical procedures, no effective therapy is currently available to halt its pathogenesis. Here, we have undertaken a novel approach to reduce neuroinflammation and improve cognitive, social and locomotor behaviors in a mouse model of TBI. RNS60 is a physiologic saline solution containing oxygen nanobubbles that is generated by subjecting normal saline to Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille (TCP) flow under elevated oxygen pressure. Recently we have delineated that RNS60 inhibits the expression of proinflammatory molecules in glial cells via type 1A phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-mediated upregulation of IκBα. In this study, we found that TBI decreased the level of IκBα and increased the activation of NF-κB in hippocampus and cortex as monitored by the upregulation of p-p65. However, intraperitoneal administration of RNS60 increased and/or restored the level of IκBα and inhibited the activation of NF-κB in hippocampus and cortex of TBI mice. Accordingly, RNS60 treatment decreased the activation of astrocytes and microglia and reduced neuronal apoptosis in the brain of TBI mice. RNS60 treatment also reduced vascular damage, attenuated blood-brain barrier leakage and decreased the size of lesion in the brain of TBI mice. Importantly, RNS60 treated mice showed significant improvements in memory, social behavior and locomotor activities while displaying reduction in depression-like behaviors. These results delineate a novel neuroprotective property of RNS60 and suggest its possible therapeutic use in TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh B Rangasamy
- Division of Research and Development, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Supurna Ghosh
- Revalesio Corporation, 1202 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421, United States of America
| | - Kalipada Pahan
- Division of Research and Development, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America.
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25
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Pisciotta A, Bertoni L, Vallarola A, Bertani G, Mecugni D, Carnevale G. Neural crest derived stem cells from dental pulp and tooth-associated stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:373-381. [PMID: 31571644 PMCID: PMC6921350 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.266043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The peripheral nerve injuries, representing some of the most common types of traumatic lesions affecting the nervous system, are highly invalidating for the patients besides being a huge social burden. Although peripheral nervous system owns a higher regenerative capacity than does central nervous system, mostly depending on Schwann cells intervention in injury repair, several factors determine the extent of functional outcome after healing. Based on the injury type, different therapeutic approaches have been investigated so far. Nerve grafting and Schwann cell transplantation have represented the gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve injuries, however these approaches own limitations, such as scarce donor nerve availability and donor site morbidity. Cell based therapies might provide a suitable tool for peripheral nerve regeneration, in fact, the ability of different stem cell types to differentiate towards Schwann cells in combination with the use of different scaffolds have been widely investigated in animal models of peripheral nerve injuries in the last decade. Dental pulp is a promising cell source for regenerative medicine, because of the ease of isolation procedures, stem cell proliferation and multipotency abilities, which are due to the embryological origin from neural crest. In this article we review the literature concerning the application of tooth derived stem cell populations combined with different conduits to peripheral nerve injuries animal models, highlighting their regenerative contribution exerted through either glial differentiation and neuroprotective/neurotrophic effects on the host tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pisciotta
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Bertoni
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Vallarola
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Bertani
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Mecugni
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Azienda USL - Institute and Health Care (IRCCS) di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Carnevale
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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26
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Luotti S, Pasetto L, Porcu L, Torri V, Elezgarai SR, Pantalone S, Filareti M, Corbo M, Lunetta C, Mora G, Bonetto V. Diagnostic and prognostic values of PBMC proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 139:104815. [PMID: 32087285 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease for which there are no validated biomarkers. Previous exploratory studies have identified a panel of candidate protein biomarkers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that include peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A (PPIA), heat shock cognate protein 71 kDa (HSC70), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1) and TDP-43. It has also been found that PPIA plays a key role in the assembly and dynamics of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes and interacts with TDP-43. Its absence accelerates disease progression in a SOD1 mouse model of ALS, and low levels of PPIA in PBMCs are associated with early-onset ALS. However, the diagnostic and prognostic values of PPIA and the other candidate protein biomarkers have not been established. We analyzed the PBMC proteins in a well-characterized cohort of ALS patients (n=93), healthy individuals (n=104) and disease controls (n=111). We used a highly controlled sample processing procedure that implies two-step differential detergent fractionation. We found that the levels of the selected PBMC proteins in the soluble and insoluble fraction, combined, have a high discriminatory power for distinguishing ALS from controls, with PPIA, hnRNPA2B1 and TDP-43 being the proteins most closely associated with ALS. We also found a shift toward increased protein partitioning in the insoluble fraction in ALS and this correlated with a worse disease phenotype. In particular, low PPIA soluble levels were associated with six months earlier death. In conclusion, PPIA is a disease modifier with prognostic potential. PBMC proteins indicative of alterations in protein and RNA homeostasis are promising biomarkers of ALS, for diagnosis, prognosis and patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Luotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Pasetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Porcu
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valter Torri
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Saioa R Elezgarai
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Pantalone
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Melania Filareti
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico (CCP), Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico (CCP), Milano, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mora
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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27
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Rajabinejad M, Ranjbar S, Afshar Hezarkhani L, Salari F, Gorgin Karaji A, Rezaiemanesh A. Regulatory T cells for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease: A clinical and preclinical systematic review. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:5030-5040. [PMID: 31788795 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal degeneration and inflammation in the nerves. The role of the immune system has been concentrated by researchers in the etiopathogenesis of the disease. Given the inhibitory roles of regulatory T cells (Tregs), it is expected that increasing or activating their populations in patients with ALS can have significant therapeutic effects. Here we searched databases, including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, clinicaltrials.gov, and ICTRP for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs until March 2019. For preclinical studies, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to June 2019. We also included preclinical studies, due to the lack of clinical information available, which used Tregs (or directly targeting them) for treating mice models of ALS. We identified 29 records (CENTRAL 7, MEDLINE 4, CINAHL Plus 8, and clinicaltrials.gov 10) and removed 10 duplicated publications. After screening, we identified one RCT which had been published as an abstract, three non-RCTs, and four ongoing studies. We also identified 551 records (PubMed 446, Google Scholar 68, and Scopus 37) for preclinical studies and performed a meta-analysis. Finally, we found three papers that matched our inclusion criteria for preclinical studies. Results indicated the effectiveness of the application of Tregs in the treatment of ALS. Our meta-analysis on preclinical studies revealed that Tregs significantly prolonged survival in mice models of ALS. Overall, our analysis testified that exertion of Tregs in the treatment of ALS is a promising approach, that notwithstanding, requires further evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misagh Rajabinejad
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Ranjbar
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Leila Afshar Hezarkhani
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Farabi Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Farhad Salari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ali Gorgin Karaji
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Alireza Rezaiemanesh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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28
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Apolloni S, Amadio S, Fabbrizio P, Morello G, Spampinato AG, Latagliata EC, Salvatori I, Proietti D, Ferri A, Madaro L, Puglisi-Allegra S, Cavallaro S, Volonté C. Histaminergic transmission slows progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2019; 10:872-893. [PMID: 31020811 PMCID: PMC6711424 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histamine is an immune modulator, neuroprotective, and remyelinating agent, beneficially acting on skeletal muscles and promoting anti-inflammatory features in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) microglia. Drugs potentiating the endogenous release of histamine are in trial for neurological diseases, with a role not systematically investigated in ALS. Here, we examine histamine pathway associations in ALS patients and the efficacy of a histamine-mediated therapeutic strategy in ALS mice. METHODS We adopted an integrative multi-omics approach combining gene expression profiles, copy number variants, and single nucleotide polymorphisms of ALS patients. We treated superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-G93A mice that recapitulate key ALS features, with the brain-permeable histamine precursor histidine in the symptomatic phase of the disease and analysed the rescue from disease pathological signs. We examined the action of histamine in cultured SOD1-G93A motor neuron-like cells. RESULTS We identified 13 histamine-related genes deregulated in the spinal cord of two ALS patient subgroups, among which genes involved in histamine metabolism, receptors, transport, and secretion. Some histamine-related genes overlapped with genomic regions disrupted by DNA copy number and with ALS-linked pathogenic variants. Histidine treatment in SOD1-G93A mice proved broad efficacy in ameliorating ALS features, among which most importantly lifespan, motor performance, microgliosis, muscle atrophy, and motor neurons survival in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Our gene set/pathway enrichment analyses and preclinical studies started at the onset of symptoms establish that histamine-related genes are modifiers in ALS, supporting their role as candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We disclose a novel important role for histamine in the characterization of the multi-gene network responsible for ALS and, furthermore, in the drug development process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paola Fabbrizio
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Morello
- National Research Council, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Alberto Ferri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Cinzia Volonté
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
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29
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De Giorgio F, Maduro C, Fisher EMC, Acevedo-Arozena A. Transgenic and physiological mouse models give insights into different aspects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:12/1/dmm037424. [PMID: 30626575 PMCID: PMC6361152 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.037424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide range of genetic mouse models is available to help researchers dissect human disease mechanisms. Each type of model has its own distinctive characteristics arising from the nature of the introduced mutation, as well as from the specific changes to the gene of interest. Here, we review the current range of mouse models with mutations in genes causative for the human neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We focus on the two main types of available mutants: transgenic mice and those that express mutant genes at physiological levels from gene targeting or from chemical mutagenesis. We compare the phenotypes for genes in which the two classes of model exist, to illustrate what they can teach us about different aspects of the disease, noting that informative models may not necessarily mimic the full trajectory of the human condition. Transgenic models can greatly overexpress mutant or wild-type proteins, giving us insight into protein deposition mechanisms, whereas models expressing mutant genes at physiological levels may develop slowly progressing phenotypes but illustrate early-stage disease processes. Although no mouse models fully recapitulate the human condition, almost all help researchers to understand normal and abnormal biological processes, providing that the individual characteristics of each model type, and how these may affect the interpretation of the data generated from each model, are considered and appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Giorgio
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Cheryl Maduro
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Abraham Acevedo-Arozena
- Unidad de Investigación Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Fundación Canaria de Investigación Sanitaria and Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), La Laguna, 38320 Tenerife, Spain
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Paganoni S, Alshikho MJ, Luppino S, Chan J, Pothier L, Schoenfeld D, Andres PL, Babu S, Zürcher NR, Loggia ML, Barry RL, Luotti S, Nardo G, Trolese MC, Pantalone S, Bendotti C, Bonetto V, De Marchi F, Rosen B, Hooker J, Cudkowicz M, Atassi N. A pilot trial of RNS60 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2018; 59:303-308. [PMID: 30458059 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION RNS60 is a novel immune-modulatory agent that has shown neuroprotective effects in amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) preclinical models. RNS60 is administered by weekly intravenous infusion and daily nebulization. The objective of this pilot open-label trial was to test the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of long-term RNS60 administration in ALS patients. METHODS The planned treatment duration was 23 weeks and the primary outcomes were safety and tolerability. Secondary outcomes included PBR28 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and plasma biomarkers of inflammation. RESULTS Sixteen participants with ALS received RNS60 and 13 (81%) completed 23 weeks of RNS60 treatment. There were no serious adverse events and no participants withdrew from the trial due to drug-related adverse events. There were no significant changes in the biomarkers. DISCUSSION Long-term RNS60 administration was safe and well-tolerated. A large, multicenter, phase II trial of RNS60 is currently enrolling participants to test the effects of RNS60 on ALS biomarkers and disease progression. Muscle Nerve 59:303-308, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Paganoni
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA.,Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mohamad J Alshikho
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Luppino
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - James Chan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lindsay Pothier
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - David Schoenfeld
- Massachusetts General Hospital Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patricia L Andres
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - Suma Babu
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - Nicole R Zürcher
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marco L Loggia
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert L Barry
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Silvia Luotti
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Serena Pantalone
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - Bruce Rosen
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob Hooker
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Merit Cudkowicz
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - Nazem Atassi
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
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Cocozza G, di Castro MA, Carbonari L, Grimaldi A, Antonangeli F, Garofalo S, Porzia A, Madonna M, Mainiero F, Santoni A, Grassi F, Wulff H, D'Alessandro G, Limatola C. Ca 2+-activated K + channels modulate microglia affecting motor neuron survival in hSOD1 G93A mice. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 73:584-595. [PMID: 29981425 PMCID: PMC6129409 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies described a critical role for microglia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where these CNS-resident immune cells participate in the establishment of an inflammatory microenvironment that contributes to motor neuron degeneration. Understanding the mechanisms leading to microglia activation in ALS could help to identify specific molecular pathways which could be targeted to reduce or delay motor neuron degeneration and muscle paralysis in patients. The intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 has been reported to modulate the "pro-inflammatory" phenotype of microglia in different pathological conditions. We here investigated the effects of blocking KCa3.1 activity in the hSOD1G93AALS mouse model, which recapitulates many features of the human disease. We report that treatment of hSOD1G93A mice with a selective KCa3.1 inhibitor, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (TRAM-34), attenuates the "pro-inflammatory" phenotype of microglia in the spinal cord, reduces motor neuron death, delays onset of muscle weakness, and increases survival. Specifically, inhibition of KCa3.1 channels slowed muscle denervation, decreased the expression of the fetal acetylcholine receptor γ subunit and reduced neuromuscular junction damage. Taken together, these results demonstrate a key role for KCa3.1 in driving a pro-inflammatory microglia phenotype in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Cocozza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nanoscience - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Carbonari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Grimaldi
- Center for Life Nanoscience - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Antonangeli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Mainiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Francesca Grassi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
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Effects of gem-dihydroperoxides against mutant copper‑zinc superoxide dismutase-mediated neurotoxicity. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 92:177-184. [PMID: 30193933 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness, paralysis, and death. Although its neuropathology is well investigated, currently, effective treatments are unavailable. The mechanism of ALS involves the aggregation and accumulation of several mutant proteins, including mutant copper‑zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), TAR DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS) proteins. Previous reports have shown that excessive oxidative stress, associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and mutant protein accumulation, contributes to ALS pathology. The present study focuses on the promotion of SOD1 misfolding and aggregation by oxidative stress. Having recently synthesized novel organic gem-dihydroperoxides (DHPs) with high anti-oxidant activity, we now examined whether DHPs reduce the mutant SOD1-induced intracellular aggregates involved in oxidative stress. We found that, among DHPs, 12AC2O significantly inhibited mutant SOD1-induced cell death and reduced the intracellular mutant SOD1 aggregates. Moreover, immunofluorescence staining with redox-sensitive dyes showed that 12AC2O reduced the excessive level of intracellular mutant SOD1-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, ESR analysis showed that 12AC2O exerts a direct scavenging effect against the hydroxyl radical (OH) and the superoxide anion (O2-). These results suggest that 12AC2O is a very useful agent in combination with other agents against ALS.
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