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Baazaoui N, Iqbal K. Alzheimer's Disease: Challenges and a Therapeutic Opportunity to Treat It with a Neurotrophic Compound. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101409. [PMID: 36291618 PMCID: PMC9599095 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with an insidious onset and multifactorial nature. A deficit in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity are considered the early pathological features associated with neurofibrillary tau and amyloid β pathologies and neuroinflammation. The imbalance of neurotrophic factors with an increase in FGF-2 level and a decrease in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 4 (NT-4) in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and parietal cortex and disruption of the brain micro-environment are other characteristics of AD. Neurotrophic factors are crucial in neuronal differentiation, maturation, and survival. Several attempts to use neurotrophic factors to treat AD were made, but these trials were halted due to their blood-brain barrier (BBB) impermeability, short-half-life, and severe side effects. In the present review we mainly focus on the major etiopathology features of AD and the use of a small neurotrophic and neurogenic peptide mimetic compound; P021 that was discovered in our laboratory and was found to overcome the difficulties faced in the administration of the whole neurotrophic factor proteins. We describe pre-clinical studies on P021 and its potential as a therapeutic drug for AD and related neurodegenerative disorders. Our study is limited because it focuses only on P021 and the relevant literature; a more thorough investigation is required to review studies on various therapeutic approaches and potential drugs that are emerging in the AD field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Baazaoui
- Biology Department, College of Sciences and Arts Muhayil Assir, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-718-494-5259; Fax: +1-718-494-1080
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Ribarič S. Physical Exercise, a Potential Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Attenuating Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063245. [PMID: 35328666 PMCID: PMC8952567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This narrative review summarises the evidence for considering physical exercise (PE) as a non-pharmacological intervention for delaying cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) not only by improving cardiovascular fitness but also by attenuating neuroinflammation. Ageing is the most important risk factor for AD. A hallmark of the ageing process is a systemic low-grade chronic inflammation that also contributes to neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is associated with AD, Parkinson’s disease, late-onset epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and anxiety disorders. Pharmacological treatment of AD is currently limited to mitigating the symptoms and attenuating progression of the disease. AD animal model studies and human studies on patients with a clinical diagnosis of different stages of AD have concluded that PE attenuates cognitive decline not only by improving cardiovascular fitness but possibly also by attenuating neuroinflammation. Therefore, low-grade chronic inflammation and neuroinflammation should be considered potential modifiable risk factors for AD that can be attenuated by PE. This opens the possibility for personalised attenuation of neuroinflammation that could also have important health benefits for patients with other inflammation associated brain disorders (i.e., Parkinson’s disease, late-onset epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and anxiety disorders). In summary, life-long, regular, structured PE should be considered as a supplemental intervention for attenuating the progression of AD in human. Further studies in human are necessary to develop optimal, personalised protocols, adapted to the progression of AD and the individual’s mental and physical limitations, to take full advantage of the beneficial effects of PE that include improved cardiovascular fitness, attenuated systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, stimulated brain Aβ peptides brain catabolism and brain clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samo Ribarič
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Ma F, Wang H, Yang X, Wu Y, Liao C, Xie B, Li Y, Zhang W. Controlled release of ciliary neurotrophic factor from bioactive nerve grafts promotes nerve regeneration in rats with facial nerve injuries. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 110:788-796. [PMID: 34792847 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
It is critical to repair severed facial nerves, as lack of treatment may cause long-term motor and sensory impairments. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) plays an important role in terms of enhancing nerve axon regrowth and maturation during peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. However, simple application of CNTF to the transected nerve site does not afford functional recovery, because it is rapidly flushed away by bodily fluids. The aim of the present study was the construction of a new, bioactive composite nerve graft facilitating persistent CNTF delivery to aid the reconstruction of facial nerve defects. The in vitro study showed that the bioactive nerve graft generated sustainable CNTF release for more than 25 days. The bioactive nerve graft was then transplanted into the injury sites of rat facial nerves. At 6 and 12 weeks post-transplantation, functional and histological analyses showed that the bioactive nerve graft featuring immobilized CNTF significantly enhanced nerve regeneration in terms of both axonal outgrowth and Schwann cell proliferation in the rat facial nerve gap model, compared to a collagen tube with adsorbed CNTF that initially released high levels of CNTF. The bioactive nerve graft may serve as novel, controlled bioactive release therapy for facial nerve regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fukai Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanming Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosheng Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwei Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenlong Liao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingran Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Studies have linked obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dementia. Their relationship to the incidence and progression of these disease states suggests an interconnected pathogenesis involving chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress. Metabolic syndrome represents comorbidities of central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, atherosclerotic CVD and neurodegenerative disease. As the socioeconomic burden for these diseases has grown signficantly with an increasing elderly population, new and alternative pharmacologic solutions for these cardiometabolic diseases are required. Adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver are central endocrine organs that regulate inflammation, energy and metabolic homeostasis, and the neuroendocrine axis through synthesis and secretion of adipokines, myokines, and hepatokines, respectively. These organokines affect each other and communicate through various endocrine, paracrine and autocrine pathways. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of organ crosstalk. This will include the roles of novel organokines in normal physiologic regulation and their pathophysiological effect in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, CVD, NAFLD and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Soo Chung
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung Mook Choi
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Kim OY, Song J. The Role of Irisin in Alzheimer's Disease. J Clin Med 2018; 7:jcm7110407. [PMID: 30388754 PMCID: PMC6262319 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7110407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive memory dysfunction, oxidative stress, and presence of senile plaques formed by amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. AD is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. AD has a variety of risk factors, including environmental factors, metabolic dysfunction, and genetic background. Recent research has highlighted the relationship between AD and systemic metabolic changes such as glucose and lipid imbalance and insulin resistance. Irisin, a myokine closely linked to exercise, has been associated with glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat browning. Recent studies have suggested that irisin is involved in the process in central nervous system (CNS) such as neurogenesis and has reported the effects of irisin on AD as one of the neurodegenerative disease. Here, we review the roles of irisin with respect to AD and suggest that irisin highlight therapeutic important roles in AD. Thus, we propose that irisin could be a potential future target for ameliorating AD pathology and preventing AD onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oh Yoen Kim
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Dong A University, Busan 49315, Korea;
- Center for Silver-targeted Biomaterials, Brain Busan 21 Plus Program, Dong A University, Busan 49315, Korea
- Human Life Research Center, Dong A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Juhyun Song
- Human Life Research Center, Dong A University, Busan 49315, Korea
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-61-379-2706
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Kazim SF, Blanchard J, Bianchi R, Iqbal K. Early neurotrophic pharmacotherapy rescues developmental delay and Alzheimer's-like memory deficits in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45561. [PMID: 28368015 PMCID: PMC5377379 DOI: 10.1038/srep45561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy 21, is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and is associated with a greatly increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The Ts65Dn mouse model of DS exhibits several key features of the disease including developmental delay and AD-like cognitive impairment. Accumulating evidence suggests that impairments in early brain development caused by trisomy 21 contribute significantly to memory deficits in adult life in DS. Prenatal genetic testing to diagnose DS in utero, provides the novel opportunity to initiate early pharmacological treatment to target this critical period of brain development. Here, we report that prenatal to early postnatal treatment with a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) small-molecule peptide mimetic, Peptide 021 (P021), rescued developmental delay in pups and AD-like hippocampus-dependent memory impairments in adult life in Ts65Dn mice. Furthermore, this treatment prevented pre-synaptic protein deficit, decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3β) activity, and increased levels of synaptic plasticity markers including brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and phosphorylated CREB, both in young (3-week-old) and adult (~ 7-month-old) Ts65Dn mice. These findings provide novel evidence that providing neurotrophic support during early brain development can prevent developmental delay and AD-like memory impairments in a DS mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Faraz Kazim
- Department of Neurochemistry, and SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Institute for Basic Research (NYSIBR), Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.,The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.,Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Julie Blanchard
- Department of Neurochemistry, and SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Institute for Basic Research (NYSIBR), Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Riccardo Bianchi
- The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, and SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Institute for Basic Research (NYSIBR), Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
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Pandini G, Satriano C, Pietropaolo A, Gianì F, Travaglia A, La Mendola D, Nicoletti VG, Rizzarelli E. The Inorganic Side of NGF: Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Affect the NGF Mimicking Signaling of the N-Terminus Peptides Encompassing the Recognition Domain of TrkA Receptor. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:569. [PMID: 28090201 PMCID: PMC5201159 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The nerve growth factor (NGF) N-terminus peptide, NGF(1–14), and its acetylated form, Ac-NGF(1–14), were investigated to scrutinize the ability of this neurotrophin domain to mimic the whole protein. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that non-covalent forces assist the molecular recognition of TrkA receptor by both peptides. Combined parallel tempering/docking simulations discriminated the effect of the N-terminal acetylation on the recognition of NGF(1–14) by the domain 5 of TrkA (TrkA-D5). Experimental findings demonstrated that both NGF(1–14) and Ac-NGF(1–14) activate TrkA signaling pathways essential for neuronal survival. The NGF-induced TrkA internalization was slightly inhibited in the presence of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions, whereas the metal ions elicited the NGF(1–14)-induced internalization of TrkA and no significant differences were found in the weak Ac-NGF(1–14)-induced receptor internalization. The crucial role of the metals was confirmed by experiments with the metal-chelator bathocuproine disulfonic acid, which showed different inhibitory effects in the signaling cascade, due to different metal affinity of NGF, NGF(1–14) and Ac-NGF(1–14). The NGF signaling cascade, activated by the two peptides, induced CREB phosphorylation, but the copper addition further stimulated the Akt, ERK and CREB phosphorylation in the presence of NGF and NGF(1–14) only. A dynamic and quick influx of both peptides into PC12 cells was tracked by live cell imaging with confocal microscopy. A significant role of copper ions was found in the modulation of peptide sub-cellular localization, especially at the nuclear level. Furthermore, a strong copper ionophoric ability of NGF(1–14) was measured. The Ac-NGF(1–14) peptide, which binds copper ions with a lower stability constant than NGF(1–14), exhibited a lower nuclear localization with respect to the total cellular uptake. These findings were correlated to the metal-induced increase of CREB and BDNF expression caused by NGF(1–14) stimulation. In summary, we here validated NGF(1–14) and Ac-NGF(1–14) as first examples of monomer and linear peptides able to activate the NGF-TrkA signaling cascade. Metal ions modulated the activity of both NGF protein and the NGF-mimicking peptides. Such findings demonstrated that NGF(1–14) sequence can reproduce the signal transduction of whole protein, therefore representing a very promising drug candidate for further pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pandini
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Medical Center, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Research CouncilCatania, Italy
| | - Cristina Satriano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy
| | | | - Fiorenza Gianì
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Medical Center, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Research CouncilCatania, Italy
| | | | - Diego La Mendola
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo G Nicoletti
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy; Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Research CouncilCatania, Italy; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy
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Kazim SF, Iqbal K. Neurotrophic factor small-molecule mimetics mediated neuroregeneration and synaptic repair: emerging therapeutic modality for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2016; 11:50. [PMID: 27400746 PMCID: PMC4940708 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-016-0119-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable and debilitating chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder which is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. AD is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder, histopathologically characterized by the presence of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of Aβ peptides and abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau protein, respectively. Independent of the various etiopathogenic mechanisms, neurodegeneration is a final common outcome of AD neuropathology. Synaptic loss is a better correlate of cognitive impairment in AD than Aβ or tau pathologies. Thus a highly promising therapeutic strategy for AD is to shift the balance from neurodegeneration to neuroregeneration and synaptic repair. Neurotrophic factors, by virtue of their neurogenic and neurotrophic activities, have potential for the treatment of AD. However, the clinical therapeutic usage of recombinant neurotrophic factors is limited because of the insurmountable hurdles of unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and severe adverse effects. Neurotrophic factor small-molecule mimetics, in this context, represent a potential strategy to overcome these short comings, and have shown promise in preclinical studies. Neurotrophic factor small-molecule mimetics have been the focus of intense research in recent years for AD drug development. Here, we review the relevant literature regarding the therapeutic beneficial effect of neurotrophic factors in AD, and then discuss the recent status of research regarding the neurotrophic factor small-molecule mimetics as therapeutic candidates for AD. Lastly, we summarize the preclinical studies with a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) small-molecule peptide mimetic, Peptide 021 (P021). P021 is a neurogenic and neurotrophic compound which enhances dentate gyrus neurogenesis and memory processes via inhibiting leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signaling pathway and increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. It robustly inhibits tau abnormal hyperphosphorylation via increased BDNF mediated decrease in glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β, major tau kinase) activity. P021 is a small molecular weight, BBB permeable compound with suitable pharmacokinetics for oral administration, and without adverse effects associated with native CNTF or BDNF molecule. P021 has shown beneficial therapeutic effect in several preclinical studies and has emerged as a highly promising compound for AD drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Faraz Kazim
- />Department of Neurochemistry, and SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Program in Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Institute for Basic Research (NYSIBR), 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314 USA
- />Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- />Department of Neurochemistry, and SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Program in Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Institute for Basic Research (NYSIBR), 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314 USA
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Chohan MO, Bragina O, Kazim SF, Statom G, Baazaoui N, Bragin D, Iqbal K, Nemoto E, Yonas H. Enhancement of neurogenesis and memory by a neurotrophic peptide in mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. Neurosurgery 2015; 76:201-14; discussion 214-5. [PMID: 25255260 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000000577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD), a neurocognitive disorder with similar cellular abnormalities. We recently discovered a small molecule (Peptide 6) corresponding to an active region of human ciliary neurotrophic factor, with neurogenic and neurotrophic properties in mouse models of AD and Down syndrome. OBJECTIVE To describe hippocampal abnormalities in a mouse model of mild to moderate TBI and their reversal by Peptide 6. METHODS TBI was induced in adult C57Bl6 mice using controlled cortical impact with 1.5 mm of cortical penetration. The animals were treated with 50 nmol/d of Peptide 6 or saline solution for 30 days. Dentate gyrus neurogenesis, dendritic and synaptic density, and AD biomarkers were quantitatively analyzed, and behavioral tests were performed. RESULTS Ipsilateral neuronal loss in CA1 and the parietal cortex and increase in Alzheimer-type hyperphosphorylated tau and A-β were seen in TBI mice. Compared with saline solution, Peptide 6 treatment increased the number of newborn neurons, but not uncommitted progenitor cells, in dentate gyrus by 80%. Peptide 6 treatment also reversed TBI-induced dendritic and synaptic density loss while increasing activity in tri-synaptic hippocampal circuitry, ultimately leading to improvement in memory recall on behavioral testing. CONCLUSION Long-term treatment with Peptide 6 enhances the pool of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus, prevents neuronal loss in CA1 and parietal cortex, preserves the dendritic and synaptic architecture in the hippocampus, and improves performance on a hippocampus-dependent memory task in TBI mice. These findings necessitate further inquiry into the therapeutic potential of small molecules based on neurotrophic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Omar Chohan
- *Department of Neurosurgery, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico; ‡Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York; §Neural and Behavioral Science Graduate Program, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
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Kazim SF, Cardenas-Aguayo MDC, Arif M, Blanchard J, Fayyaz F, Grundke-Iqbal I, Iqbal K. Sera from children with autism induce autistic features which can be rescued with a CNTF small peptide mimetic in rats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118627. [PMID: 25769033 PMCID: PMC4359103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized clinically by impairments in social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication skills as well as restricted interests and repetitive behavior. It has been hypothesized that altered brain environment including an imbalance in neurotrophic support during early development contributes to the pathophysiology of autism. Here we report that sera from children with autism which exhibited abnormal levels of various neurotrophic factors induced cell death and oxidative stress in mouse primary cultured cortical neurons. The effects of sera from autistic children were rescued by pre-treatment with a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) small peptide mimetic, Peptide 6 (P6), which was previously shown to exert its neuroprotective effect by modulating CNTF/JAK/STAT pathway and LIF signaling and by enhancing brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Similar neurotoxic effects and neuroinflammation were observed in young Wistar rats injected intracerebroventricularly with autism sera within hours after birth. The autism sera injected rats demonstrated developmental delay and deficits in social communication, interaction, and novelty. Both the neurobiological changes and the behavioral autistic phenotype were ameliorated by P6 treatment. These findings implicate the involvement of neurotrophic imbalance during early brain development in the pathophysiology of autism and a proof of principle of P6 as a potential therapeutic strategy for autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Faraz Kazim
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- Neural and Behavioral Science Graduate Program, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience (CDN), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Maria del Carmen Cardenas-Aguayo
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Mohammad Arif
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Julie Blanchard
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Fatima Fayyaz
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Inge Grundke-Iqbal
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (NYSIBR), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Downstate/NYSIBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience (CDN), Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Disease modifying effect of chronic oral treatment with a neurotrophic peptidergic compound in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 71:110-30. [PMID: 25046994 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides the presence of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity are markedly impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD) possibly contributing to cognitive impairment. In this context, neurotrophic factors serve as a promising therapeutic approach via utilization of regenerative capacity of brain to shift the balance from neurodegeneration to neural regeneration. However, besides more conventional "bystander" effect, to what extent can neurotrophic compounds affect underlying AD pathology remains questionable. Here we investigated the effect of chronic oral treatment with a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) derived peptidergic compound, P021 (Ac-DGGL(A)G-NH2), on disease pathology both at moderate and severe stages in a transgenic mouse model of AD. 3xTg-AD and wild type female mice were treated for 12months with P021 or vehicle diet starting at 9-10months of age. A significant reduction in abnormal hyperphosphorylation and accumulation of tau at known major AD neurofibrillary pathology associated sites was observed. The effect of P021 on Aβ pathology was limited to a significant decrease in soluble Aβ levels and a trend towards reduction in Aβ plaque load in CA1 region of hippocampus, consistent with reduction in Aβ generation and not clearance. This disease modifying effect was probably via increased brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression mediated decrease in glycogen synthase kinase-3-β (GSK3β) activity we found in P021 treated 3xTg-AD mice. P021 treatment also rescued deficits in cognition, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in 3xTg-AD mice. These findings demonstrate the potential of the neurotrophic peptide mimetic as a disease modifying therapy for AD.
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Bolognin S, Buffelli M, Puoliväli J, Iqbal K. Rescue of cognitive-aging by administration of a neurogenic and/or neurotrophic compound. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 35:2134-46. [PMID: 24702821 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a progressive decline of cognitive performance, which has been partially attributed to structural and functional alterations of hippocampus. Importantly, aging is the major risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. An important therapeutic approach to counteract the age-associated memory dysfunctions is to maintain an appropriate microenvironment for successful neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. In this study, we show that chronic oral administration of peptide 021 (P021), a small peptidergic neurotrophic compound derived from the ciliary neurotrophic factor, significantly reduced the age-dependent decline in learning and memory in 22 to 24-month-old Fisher rats. Treatment with P021 inhibited the deficit in neurogenesis in the aged rats and increased the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor. Furthermore, P021 restored synaptic deficits both in the cortex and the hippocampus. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed age-dependent alterations in hippocampal content of several metabolites. Remarkably, P021 was effective in significantly reducing myoinositol (INS) concentration, which was increased in aged compared with young rats. These findings suggest that stimulating endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms is a potential therapeutic approach to cognitive aging, Alzheimer's disease, and associated neurodegenerative disorders and P021 is a promising compound for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bolognin
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Mario Buffelli
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Jukka Puoliväli
- Department of Behavioral Studies, Charles River Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.
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Rescue of synaptic failure and alleviation of learning and memory impairments in a trisomic mouse model of down syndrome. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2012; 70:1070-9. [PMID: 22082658 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e318236e9ad] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is caused by the triplication of ∼240 protein-coding genes on chromosome 21 and is the most prevalent form of developmental disability. This condition results in abnormalities in many organ systems, as well as in intellectual retardation. Many previous efforts to understand brain dysfunction in DS have indicated that cognitive deficits are coincident with reduced synaptic plasticity and decreased neuronal proliferation. One therapeutic strategy for optimizing the microenvironment for neuronal proliferation and synaptic plasticity in the brain is the use of neurotrophins to restore the homeostasis of the brain biochemical milieu. Here, we show that peripheral administration of Peptide 6, an 11-mer corresponding to an active region of ciliary neurotrophic factor, amino acid residues 146 to 156, can inhibit learning and memory impairments in Ts65Dn mice, a trisomic mouse model of DS. Long-term treatment with Peptide 6 enhanced the pool of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus and increased levels of synaptic proteins crucial for synaptic plasticity. These findings suggest a therapeutic potential of Peptide 6 in promoting functional neural integration into networks, thereby strengthening biologic substrates of memory processing.
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Iqbal K, Grundke-Iqbal I. Opportunities and challenges in developing Alzheimer disease therapeutics. Acta Neuropathol 2011; 122:543-9. [PMID: 21959585 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-011-0878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Revised: 09/17/2011] [Accepted: 09/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive disorder with an average disease progression of 7-10 years. However, the histopathological hallmark lesions of this disease, the extracellular Aβ plaques and the intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, start as early as childhood in the affected individuals. AD is multifactorial and probably involves many different etiopathogenic mechanisms. Thus, while AD offers a wide window of opportunity that practically includes the whole life span of the affected individuals, and numerous therapeutic targets, the multifactorial nature of this disease also makes the selection of the therapeutic targets an immensely challenging task. In addition to β-amyloidosis and neurofibrillary degeneration, the AD brain also is compromised in its ability to regenerate by enhancing neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity. An increasing number of preclinical studies in transgenic mouse models of AD show that enhancement of neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity can reverse cognitive impairment. Development of both drugs that can inhibit neurodegeneration and drugs that can increase the regenerative capacity of the brain by enhancing neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity are required to control AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, 10314-6399, USA.
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The use of laminin modified linear ordered collagen scaffolds loaded with laminin-binding ciliary neurotrophic factor for sciatic nerve regeneration in rats. Biomaterials 2011; 32:3939-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Nai Q, Wang X, Jin Y, Sun D, Li M, Hu B, Zhang X. Ciliary neurotrophic factor enhances nicotinic synaptic transmission in sympathetic neurons. J Neurosci Res 2010; 88:887-95. [PMID: 19830843 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate fast synaptic transmission in both central and peripheral nervous systems. These receptors play important roles in various physiological functions and are involved in different neurological diseases. A disruption in nicotinic receptor-mediated synaptic transmission due to the loss of nAChRs was detected in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Although ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been reported to promote the cholinergic properties by increasing the production and storage of acetylcholine, it is still unclear whether CNTF can enhance nicotinic synaptic neurotransmission. In this study, we found that CNTF dramatically enhanced the frequency and amplitude of nicotinic excitatory post-synaptic currents in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons maintained in a medium supplemented with nerve growth factor. Moreover, the number of neurons displaying nicotinic synaptic currents was also significantly increased by CNTF. These results suggest that CNTF could enhance nicotinic synaptic transmission via both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms. The findings of this study reinforce the rationale for the usage of combinations of different neurotrophic factors for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Nai
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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Chohan MO, Li B, Blanchard J, Tung YC, Heaney AT, Rabe A, Iqbal K, Grundke-Iqbal I. Enhancement of dentate gyrus neurogenesis, dendritic and synaptic plasticity and memory by a neurotrophic peptide. Neurobiol Aging 2009; 32:1420-34. [PMID: 19767127 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2009.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2009] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological enhancement of hippocampal neurogenesis is a therapeutic approach for improvement of cognition in learning and memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Here we report the development of an 11-mer peptide that we designed based on a biologically active region of the ciliary neurotrophic factor. This peptide, Peptide 6, induced proliferation and increased survival and maturation of neural progenitor cells into neurons in the dentate gyrus of normal adult C57BL6 mice. Furthermore, Peptide 6 increased the MAP2 and synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus. Thirty-day treatment of the mice with a slow release bolus of the peptide implanted subcutaneously improved reference memory of the mice in Morris water maze. Peptide 6 has a plasma half life of over 6 h, is blood-brain barrier permeable, and acts by competitively inhibiting the leukemia inhibitory factor signaling. The fact that Peptide 6 is both neurogenic and neurotrophic and that this peptide is effective when given peripherally, demonstrates its potential for prevention and treatment of learning and memory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Omar Chohan
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314-6399, USA
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