1
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Lee D, Antonsdottir IM, Clark ED, Porsteinsson AP. Review of valiltramiprosate (ALZ-801) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a novel small molecule with disease modifying potential. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38814590 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2360069] [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: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, functional impairments, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Valiltramiprosate is a tramiprosate prodrug being investigated as a novel treatment for AD. AREAS COVERED The online databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched using the terms 'ALZ-801' or 'valiltramiprosate.' Alzheon press releases were reviewed for emerging clinical information. Valiltramiprosate is an oral, well-tolerated synthetic valine-conjugate prodrug of tramiprosate. Valiltramiprosate's active metabolite include tramiprosate and 3-sulfopropanoic acid. Proposed mechanism of action is multiligand binding to Aβ42 which stabilizes amyloid monomers to prevent peptide aggregation and oligomerization. Pharmacokinetic studies show 52% oral bioavailability, rapid absorption, approximately 40% brain-drug exposure, and near complete renal clearance. Compared to tramiprosate, valiltramiprosate extends plasma tramiprosate half-life and improves interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. Interim analyses from valiltramiprosate's phase II biomarker trial show: (1) significant reductions in plasma p-tau181 and related AD fluid biomarkers; (2) brain structure preservation and reduced hippocampal atrophy by MRI; and (3) improvements on cognitive assessments at multiple timepoints. Its phase III clinical trial in ApoE ε4 homozygotes is near completion. EXPERT OPINION Valiltramiprosate's clinical trial data show early indications of efficacy with potential disease modifying effect in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lee
- Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education (AD-CARE), Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Inga M Antonsdottir
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bayview, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily D Clark
- Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education (AD-CARE), Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Anton P Porsteinsson
- Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education (AD-CARE), Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
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2
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Ahmad F, Karan A, Sharma R, Sharma NS, Sundar V, Jayaraj R, Mukherjee S, DeCoster MA. Evolving therapeutic interventions for the management and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 95:102229. [PMID: 38364913 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102229] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients experience diverse symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, behavioral abnormalities, mood changes, and mental issues. The fundamental objective of this review is to discuss novel therapeutic approaches, with special emphasis on recently approved marketed formulations for the treatment of AD, especially Aducanumab, the first FDA approved moiety that surpasses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reduces amyloid plaques in the brain, thereby reducing associated cognitive decline. However, it is still in the phase IV trial and is to be completed by 2030. Other drugs such as lecanemab are also under clinical trial and has recently been approved by the FDA and is also discussed here. In this review, we also focus on active and passive immunotherapy for AD as well as several vaccines, such as amyloid-beta epitope-based vaccines, amyloid-beta DNA vaccines, and stem cell therapy for AD, which are in clinical trials. Furthermore, ongoing pre-clinical trials associated with AD and other novel strategies such as curcumin-loaded nanoparticles, Crispr/ cas9, precision medicine, as well as some emerging therapies like anti-sense therapy are also highlighted. Additionally, we discuss some off-labeled drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), anti-diabetic drugs, and lithium, which can manage symptoms of AD and different non-pharmacological approaches are also covered which can help to manage AD. In summary, we have tried to cover all the therapeutic interventions which are available for the treatment and management of AD under sections approved, clinical phase, pre-clinical phase or futuristic interventions, off-labelled drugs, and non-pharmacological interventions for AD, offering positive findings and well as challenges that remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizan Ahmad
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi, India
| | - Anik Karan
- Department of Mechanical and Bioengineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| | - Rashi Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Bawana, Delhi, India
| | - Navatha Shree Sharma
- Department of Surgery Transplant, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Sundar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Richard Jayaraj
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Sudip Mukherjee
- Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mark A DeCoster
- Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Science, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA; Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute for Micromanufacturing, College of Engineering and Science, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA.
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3
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Kelly L, Brown C, Michalik D, Hawkes CA, Aldea R, Agarwal N, Salib R, Alzetani A, Ethell DW, Counts SE, de Leon M, Fossati S, Koronyo‐Hamaoui M, Piazza F, Rich SA, Wolters FJ, Snyder H, Ismail O, Elahi F, Proulx ST, Verma A, Wunderlich H, Haack M, Dodart JC, Mazer N, Carare RO. Clearance of interstitial fluid (ISF) and CSF (CLIC) group-part of Vascular Professional Interest Area (PIA), updates in 2022-2023. Cerebrovascular disease and the failure of elimination of Amyloid-β from the brain and retina with age and Alzheimer's disease: Opportunities for therapy. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1421-1435. [PMID: 37897797 PMCID: PMC10917045 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
This editorial summarizes advances from the Clearance of Interstitial Fluid and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CLIC) group, within the Vascular Professional Interest Area (PIA) of the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART). The overarching objectives of the CLIC group are to: (1) understand the age-related physiology changes that underlie impaired clearance of interstitial fluid (ISF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (CLIC); (2) understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying intramural periarterial drainage (IPAD) in the brain; (3) establish novel diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease (AD), cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), retinal amyloid vasculopathy, amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) of spontaneous and iatrogenic CAA-related inflammation (CAA-ri), and vasomotion; and (4) establish novel therapies that facilitate IPAD to eliminate amyloid β (Aβ) from the aging brain and retina, to prevent or reduce AD and CAA pathology and ARIA side events associated with AD immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Kelly
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonHampshireUK
| | | | - Daniel Michalik
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonHampshireUK
| | | | - Roxana Aldea
- Roche Pharma Research & Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation Center BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Nivedita Agarwal
- Neuroradiology sectionScientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio MedeaBosisio Parini, LCItaly
| | - Rami Salib
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonHampshireUK
| | - Aiman Alzetani
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonHampshireUK
| | | | - Scott E. Counts
- Dept. Translational NeuroscienceDept. Family MedicineMichigan State UniversityGrand RapidsMichiganUSA
| | - Mony de Leon
- Brain Health Imaging InstituteDepartment of RadiologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Maya Koronyo‐Hamaoui
- Departments of NeurosurgeryNeurology, and Biomedical SciencesMaxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research InstituteCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Heather Snyder
- Alzheimer's AssociationMedical & Scientific RelationsChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ozama Ismail
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Fanny Elahi
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Ajay Verma
- Formation Venture Engineering FoundryTopsfieldMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Roxana O. Carare
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonHampshireUK
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4
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Zhang Z, Shi M, Li Z, Ling Y, Zhai L, Yuan Y, Ma H, Hao L, Li Z, Zhang Z, Hölscher C. A Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Is More Effective than Liraglutide in the A53T Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 2023:7427136. [PMID: 37791037 PMCID: PMC10545468 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7427136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex syndrome with many elements, such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of dopaminergic neurons, build-up of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in cells, and energy depletion in neurons, that drive the disease. We and others have shown that treatment with mimetics of the growth factor glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) can normalize energy utilization, neuronal survival, and dopamine levels and reduce inflammation. Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analogue that recently showed protective effects in phase 2 clinical trials in PD patients and in Alzheimer disease patients. We have developed a novel dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that can cross the blood-brain barrier and showed good protective effects in animal models of PD. Here, we test liraglutide against the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist DA5-CH (KP405) in the A53T tg mouse model of PD which expresses a human-mutated gene of α-synuclein. Drug treatment reduced impairments in three different motor tests, reduced levels of α-syn in the substantia nigra, reduced the inflammation response and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the substantia nigra and striatum, and normalized biomarker levels of autophagy and mitochondrial activities in A53T mice. DA5-CH was superior in almost all parameters measured and therefore may be a better drug treatment for PD than liraglutide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijuan Zhang
- School of Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Ming Shi
- School of Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Zhengmin Li
- School of Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Yuan Ling
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Luke Zhai
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - He Ma
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Li Hao
- School of Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Zhonghua Li
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Zhenqiang Zhang
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Christian Hölscher
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
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5
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Düchs M, Blazevic D, Rechtsteiner P, Kenny C, Lamla T, Low S, Savistchenko J, Neumann M, Melki R, Schönberger T, Stierstorfer B, Wyatt D, Igney F, Ciossek T. AAV-mediated expression of a new conformational anti-aggregated α-synuclein antibody prolongs survival in a genetic model of α-synucleinopathies. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:91. [PMID: 37322068 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00542-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion-like transmission of pathology in α-synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy is increasingly recognized as one potential mechanism to address disease progression. Active and passive immunotherapies targeting insoluble, aggregated α-synuclein are already being actively explored in the clinic with mixed outcomes so far. Here, we report the identification of 306C7B3, a highly selective, aggregate-specific α-synuclein antibody with picomolar affinity devoid of binding to the monomeric, physiologic protein. 306C7B3 binding is Ser129-phosphorylation independent and shows high affinity to several different aggregated α-synuclein polymorphs, increasing the likelihood that it can also bind to the pathological seeds assumed to drive disease progression in patients. In support of this, highly selective binding to pathological aggregates in postmortem brains of MSA patients was demonstrated, with no staining in samples from other human neurodegenerative diseases. To achieve CNS exposure of 306C7B3, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) based approach driving expression of the secreted antibody within the brain of (Thy-1)-[A30P]-hα-synuclein mice was used. Widespread central transduction after intrastriatal inoculation was ensured by using the AAV2HBKO serotype, with transduction being spread to areas far away from the inoculation site. Treatment of (Thy-1)-[A30P]-hα-synuclein mice at the age of 12 months demonstrated significantly increased survival, with 306C7B3 concentration reaching 3.9 nM in the cerebrospinal fluid. These results suggest that AAV-mediated expression of 306C7B3, targeting extracellular, presumably disease-propagating aggregates of α-synuclein, has great potential as a disease-modifying therapy for α-synucleinopathies as it ensures CNS exposure of the antibody, thereby mitigating the selective permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Düchs
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Dragica Blazevic
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | | | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sarah Low
- Boehringer Ingelheim USA, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | - Manuela Neumann
- Molecular Neuropathology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA, CNRS, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | - David Wyatt
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Frederik Igney
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thomas Ciossek
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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6
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Razzokov J, Fazliev S, Makhkamov M, Marimuthu P, Baev A, Kurganov E. Effect of Electric Field on α-Synuclein Fibrils: Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076312. [PMID: 37047286 PMCID: PMC10094641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-association of amylogenic proteins to the fibril form is considered a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD causes unintended or uncontrollable movements in its common symptoms. α-synuclein is the major cause of PD development and thus has been the main target of numerous studies to suppress and sequester its expression or effectively degrade it. Nonetheless, to date, there are no efficient and proven ways to prevent pathological protein aggregation. Recent investigations proposed applying an external electric field to interrupt the fibrils. This method is a non-invasive approach that has a certain benefit over others. We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations by applying an electric field on highly toxic fibrils of α-synuclein to gain a molecular-level insight into fibril disruption mechanisms. The results revealed that the applied external electric field induces substantial changes in the conformation of the α-synuclein fibrils. Furthermore, we show the threshold value for electric field strength required to completely disrupt the α-synuclein fibrils by opening the hydrophobic core of the fibril. Thus, our findings might serve as a valuable foundation to better understand molecular-level mechanisms of the α-synuclein fibrils disaggregation process under an applied external electric field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamoliddin Razzokov
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Research, National Research University TIIAME, Kori Niyoziy 39, Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan
- R&D Center, New Uzbekistan University, Mustaqillik Avenue 54, Tashkent 100007, Uzbekistan
- Institute of Material Sciences, Academy of Sciences, Chingiz Aytmatov 2b, Tashkent 100084, Uzbekistan
- Department of Physics, National University of Uzbekistan, Universitet 4, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +998-90-116-23-20
| | - Sunnatullo Fazliev
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mukhriddin Makhkamov
- Laboratory of Experimental Biophysics, Centre for Advanced Technologies, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan
| | - Parthiban Marimuthu
- Pharmaceutical Science Laboratory (PSL–Pharmacy) and Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory (SBL–Biochemistry), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Artyom Baev
- Laboratory of Experimental Biophysics, Centre for Advanced Technologies, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan
- Department of Biophysics, Biological Faculty, National University of Uzbekistan, Universitet 4, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan
| | - Erkin Kurganov
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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7
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Postulating the possible cellular signalling mechanisms of antibody drug conjugates in Alzheimer's disease. Cell Signal 2023; 102:110539. [PMID: 36455831 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110539] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the world. Although the basic pathology of the disease is elucidated, it is difficult to restore or prevent the worsening of neurodegeneration and its symptoms. Antibody and small molecule-based approaches have been studied and are in study individually, but a combined approach like conjugation has not been performed to date. The conjugation between antibodies and drugs which are already used for Alzheimer's treatment or developed specifically for this purpose may have better efficacy and dual action in mitigating Alzheimer's disease. A probable mechanism for antibody-drug conjugates in Alzheimer's disease is discussed in the present review.
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8
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Karuppagounder SS, Wang H, Kelly T, Rush R, Nguyen R, Bisen S, Yamashita Y, Sloan N, Dang B, Sigmon A, Lee HW, Marino Lee S, Watkins L, Kim E, Brahmachari S, Kumar M, Werner MH, Dawson TM, Dawson VL. The c-Abl inhibitor IkT-148009 suppresses neurodegeneration in mouse models of heritable and sporadic Parkinson's disease. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabp9352. [PMID: 36652533 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abp9352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, with an estimated 5,000,000 cases worldwide. PD pathology is characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein, which is thought to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Animal models of PD suggest that activation of Abelson tyrosine kinase (c-Abl) plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of α-synuclein pathology and initiates processes leading to degeneration of dopaminergic and nondopaminergic neurons. Given the potential role of c-Abl in PD, a c-Abl inhibitor library was developed to identify orally bioavailable c-Abl inhibitors capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier based on predefined characteristics, leading to the discovery of IkT-148009. IkT-148009, a brain-penetrant c-Abl inhibitor with a favorable toxicology profile, was analyzed for therapeutic potential in animal models of slowly progressive, α-synuclein-dependent PD. In mouse models of both inherited and sporadic PD, IkT-148009 suppressed c-Abl activation to baseline and substantially protected dopaminergic neurons from degeneration when administered therapeutically by once daily oral gavage beginning 4 weeks after disease initiation. Recovery of motor function in PD mice occurred within 8 weeks of initiating treatment concomitantly with a reduction in α-synuclein pathology in the mouse brain. These findings suggest that IkT-148009 may have potential as a disease-modifying therapy in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilkumar S Karuppagounder
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hu Wang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Terence Kelly
- Inhibikase Therapeutics Inc., Atlanta, GA 30339, USA
| | - Roger Rush
- Inhibikase Therapeutics Inc., Atlanta, GA 30339, USA
| | - Richard Nguyen
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shivani Bisen
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yoko Yamashita
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Nicholas Sloan
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Brianna Dang
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alexander Sigmon
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hyeun Woo Lee
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Shirley Marino Lee
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Leslie Watkins
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Erica Kim
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Saurav Brahmachari
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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9
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Chu W, Hall J, Gurrala A, Becsey A, Raman S, Okun MS, Flores CT, Giasson BI, Vaillancourt DE, Vedam-Mai V. Evaluation of an Adoptive Cellular Therapy-Based Vaccine in a Transgenic Mouse Model of α-synucleinopathy. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 14:235-245. [PMID: 36571847 PMCID: PMC9853504 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregated α-synuclein, a major constituent of Lewy bodies plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of α-synucleinopathies (SPs) such as Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is affected by the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, and recently both active and passive immunotherapies targeted against α-synuclein are being trialed as potential novel treatment strategies. Specifically, dendritic cell-based vaccines have shown to be an effective treatment for SPs in animal models. Here, we report on the development of adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) for SP and demonstrate that adoptive transfer of pre-activated T-cells generated from immunized mice can improve survival and behavior, reduce brain microstructural impairment via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and decrease α-synuclein pathology burden in a peripherally induced preclinical SP model (M83) when administered prior to disease onset. This study provides preclinical evidence for ACT as a potential immunotherapy for LBD, PD and other related SPs, and future work will provide necessary understanding of the mechanisms of its action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston
T. Chu
- J.
Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States,Department
of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Jesse Hall
- Department
of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Anjela Gurrala
- Department
of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Alexander Becsey
- Department
of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Shreya Raman
- Department
of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Michael S. Okun
- Department
of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States,Department
of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States,Norman
Fixel
Institute for Neurological Diseases, Gainesville, Florida32608, United States
| | - Catherine T. Flores
- Department
of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Benoit I. Giasson
- Department
of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - David E. Vaillancourt
- Department
of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States
| | - Vinata Vedam-Mai
- Department
of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611, United States,Norman
Fixel
Institute for Neurological Diseases, Gainesville, Florida32608, United States,. Phone: (352) 273-5557. Fax:(352) 273-5575
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10
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Maftei D, Schirinzi T, Mercuri NB, Lattanzi R, Severini C. Potential Clinical Role of Prokineticin 2 (PK2) in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:2019-2023. [PMID: 35410604 PMCID: PMC9886845 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220411084612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the immune system in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has become clear in recent decades, as evidenced by the presence of activated microglia and astrocytes and numerous soluble mediators in the brain and peripheral tissues of affected patients. Among inflammatory mediators, chemokines play a central role in neuroinflammation due to their dual function as chemoattractants for immune cells and molecular messengers in crosstalk among CNS-resident cells. The chemokine Bv8/Prokineticin 2 (PK2) has recently emerged as an important player in many age-related and chronic diseases that are either neurodegenerative or systemic. In this perspective paper, we briefly discuss the role that PK2 and its cognate receptors play in AD and PD animal models and in patients. Given the apparent changes in PK2 blood levels in both AD and PD patients, the potential clinical value of PK2 either as a disease biomarker or as a therapeutic target for these disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Maftei
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; ,These authors contributed equally to the work.
| | - Tommaso Schirinzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; ,These authors contributed equally to the work.
| | - Nicola B. Mercuri
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; ,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy;
| | - Roberta Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; ,These authors contributed equally to the work.
| | - Cinzia Severini
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Italy,Address correspondence to this author at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; Tel: +39-6-49976742; E-mail:
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11
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Muramyl Dipeptide Administration Delays Alzheimer’s Disease Physiopathology via NOD2 Receptors. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142241. [PMID: 35883683 PMCID: PMC9321587 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the world. The prevalence is steadily increasing due to an aging population and the lack of effective treatments. However, modulation of innate immune cells is a new therapeutic avenue, which is quite effective at delaying disease onset and improving cognitive decline. Methods: We studied the effect of the NOD2 receptor ligand muramyl dipeptide (MDP) on the modulation of the innate immune cells, namely patrolling monocytes and microglia. We administrated MDP once a week for 3 months in an APPswe/PS1 mouse model in both sexes. We started the treatment at 3 months before plaque formation and evaluated its effects at 6 months. Results: We showed that the MDP injections delay cognitive decline in both sexes via different mechanisms and protect the blood brain barrier (BBB). In males, MDP triggers the sink effect from the BBB, leading to a diminution in the amyloid load in the brain. This phenomenon is underlined by the increased expression of phagocytosis markers such as TREM2, CD68, and LAMP2 and a higher expression of ABCB1 and LRP1 at the BBB level. The beneficial effect seems more restricted to the brain in females treated with MDP, where microglia surround amyloid plaques and prevent the spreading of amyloid peptides. This phenomenon is also associated with an increase in TREM2 expression. Interestingly, both treated groups showed an increase in Arg-1 expression compared to controls, suggesting that MDP modulates the inflammatory response. Conclusion: These results indicate that stimulation of the NOD2 receptor in innate immune cells is a promising therapeutic avenue with potential different mechanisms between males and females.
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12
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Hsueh SCC, Aina A, Roman AY, Cashman NR, Peng X, Plotkin SS. Optimizing Epitope Conformational Ensembles Using α-Synuclein Cyclic Peptide "Glycindel" Scaffolds: A Customized Immunogen Method for Generating Oligomer-Selective Antibodies for Parkinson's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2261-2280. [PMID: 35840132 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Effectively presenting epitopes on immunogens, in order to raise conformationally selective antibodies through active immunization, is a central problem in treating protein misfolding diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. We seek to selectively target conformations enriched in toxic, oligomeric propagating species while sparing the healthy forms of the protein that are often more abundant. To this end, we computationally modeled scaffolded epitopes in cyclic peptides by inserting/deleting a variable number of flanking glycines ("glycindels") to best mimic a misfolding-specific conformation of an epitope of α-synuclein enriched in the oligomer ensemble, as characterized by a region most readily disordered and solvent-exposed in a stressed, partially denatured protofibril. We screen and rank the cyclic peptide scaffolds of α-synuclein in silico based on their ensemble overlap properties with the fibril, oligomer-model and isolated monomer ensembles. We present experimental data of seeded aggregation that support nucleation rates consistent with computationally predicted cyclic peptide conformational similarity. We also introduce a method for screening against structured off-pathway targets in the human proteome by selecting scaffolds with minimal conformational similarity between their epitope and the same solvent-exposed primary sequence in structured human proteins. Different cyclic peptide scaffolds with variable numbers of glycines are predicted computationally to have markedly different conformational ensembles. Ensemble comparison and overlap were quantified by the Jensen-Shannon divergence and a new measure introduced here, the embedding depth, which determines the extent to which a given ensemble is subsumed by another ensemble and which may be a more useful measure in developing immunogens that confer conformational selectivity to an antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn C C Hsueh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Adekunle Aina
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Andrei Yu Roman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Xubiao Peng
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.,Genome Science and Technology Program, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
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13
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Bathini P, Sun T, Schenk M, Schilling S, McDannold NJ, Lemere CA. Acute Effects of Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening on Anti-Pyroglu3 Abeta Antibody Delivery and Immune Responses. Biomolecules 2022; 12:951. [PMID: 35883506 PMCID: PMC9313174 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Currently, therapeutic agents targeting amyloid appear promising for AD, however, delivery to the CNS is limited due to the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a method to induce a temporary opening of the BBB to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents to the CNS. In this study, we evaluated the acute effects of FUS and whether the use of FUS-induced BBB opening enhances the delivery of 07/2a mAb, an anti-pyroglutamate-3 Aβ antibody, in aged 24 mo-old APP/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. FUS was performed either unilaterally or bilaterally with mAb infusion and the short-term effect was analyzed 4 h and 72 h post-treatment. Quantitative analysis by ELISA showed a 5-6-fold increase in 07/2a mAb levels in the brain at both time points and an increased brain-to-blood ratio of the antibody. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increase in IgG2a mAb detection particularly in the cortex, enhanced immunoreactivity of resident Iba1+ and phagocytic CD68+ microglial cells, and a transient increase in the infiltration of Ly6G+ immune cells. Cerebral microbleeds were not altered in the unilaterally or bilaterally sonicated hemispheres. Overall, this study shows the potential of FUS therapy for the enhanced delivery of CNS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bathini
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Tao Sun
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.)
- Faculty of Applied Biosciences and Process Technology, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Strasse 55, 06366 Kothen, Germany
| | - Nathan J. McDannold
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Cynthia A. Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
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14
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Yang X, Feng P, Ji R, Ren Y, Wei W, Hölscher C. Therapeutic application of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists in Parkinson's disease. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:445-460. [PMID: 35584372 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2079492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetes is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and shares similar dysregulated insulin pathways. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs originally designed to treat diabetes have shown potent neuroprotective activity in preclinical studies of PD. They are neuroprotective by inhibiting inflammation, improving neuronal survival, maintenance of synapses, and dopaminergic transmission in the brain. Building on this, three clinical studies have reported impressive effects in patients with PD, testing exendin-4 (Exenatide, Bydureon) or liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) is another peptide hormone that has shown good effects in animal models of PD. Novel dual GLP-1/GIP agonists have been developed that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and show superior effects in animal models compared to GLP-1 drugs. AREAS COVERED The review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies testing GLP-1R agonists and dual GLP-1/GIPR agonists in PD and discusses possible mechanisms of action. EXPERT OPINION Current strategies to treat PD by lowering the levels of alpha-synuclein have not shown effects in clinical trials. It is time to move on from the 'misfolding protein' hypothesis. Growth factors such as GLP-1 that can cross the BBB have already shown impressive effects in patients and are the future of drug discovery in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, No. 221 West Yan' an Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Feng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382 Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Rong Ji
- Department of Neurology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, No. 221 West Yan' an Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqing Ren
- Department of Neurology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, No. 221 West Yan' an Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenshi Wei
- Department of Neurology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, No. 221 West Yan' an Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Christian Hölscher
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382 Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi Province, China.,Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 233 Zhongyuan Road, Zhengzhou, China
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15
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Menon S, Armstrong S, Hamzeh A, Visanji NP, Sardi SP, Tandon A. Alpha-Synuclein Targeting Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease and Related Synucleinopathies. Front Neurol 2022; 13:852003. [PMID: 35614915 PMCID: PMC9124903 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.852003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (asyn) is a key pathogenetic factor in a group of neurodegenerative diseases generically known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although the initial triggers of pathology and progression are unclear, multiple lines of evidence support therapeutic targeting of asyn in order to limit its prion-like misfolding. Here, we review recent pre-clinical and clinical work that offers promising treatment strategies to sequester, degrade, or silence asyn expression as a means to reduce the levels of seed or substrate. These diverse approaches include removal of aggregated asyn with passive or active immunization or by expression of vectorized antibodies, modulating kinetics of misfolding with small molecule anti-aggregants, lowering asyn gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides or inhibitory RNA, and pharmacological activation of asyn degradation pathways. We also discuss recent technological advances in combining low intensity focused ultrasound with intravenous microbubbles to transiently increase blood-brain barrier permeability for improved brain delivery and target engagement of these large molecule anti-asyn biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Menon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sabrina Armstrong
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amir Hamzeh
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi P. Visanji
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anurag Tandon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anurag Tandon
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16
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Kirchweger B, Klein-Junior LC, Pretsch D, Chen Y, Cretton S, Gasper AL, Heyden YV, Christen P, Kirchmair J, Henriques AT, Rollinger JM. Azepine-Indole Alkaloids From Psychotria nemorosa Modulate 5-HT 2A Receptors and Prevent in vivo Protein Toxicity in Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:826289. [PMID: 35360162 PMCID: PMC8963987 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.826289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemorosine A (1) and fargesine (2), the main azepine-indole alkaloids of Psychotria nemorosa, were explored for their pharmacological profile on neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) applying a combined in silico–in vitro–in vivo approach. By using 1 and 2 as queries for similarity-based searches of the ChEMBL database, structurally related compounds were identified to modulate the 5-HT2A receptor; in vitro experiments confirmed an agonistic effect for 1 and 2 (24 and 36% at 10 μM, respectively), which might be linked to cognition-enhancing properties. This and the previously reported target profile of 1 and 2, which also includes BuChE and MAO-A inhibition, prompted the evaluation of these compounds in several Caenorhabditis elegans models linked to 5-HT modulation and proteotoxicity. On C. elegans transgenic strain CL4659, which expresses amyloid beta (Aβ) in muscle cells leading to a phenotypic paralysis, 1 and 2 reduced Aβ proteotoxicity by reducing the percentage of paralyzed worms to 51%. Treatment of the NL5901 strain, in which α-synuclein is yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged, with 1 and 2 (10 μM) significantly reduced the α-synuclein expression. Both alkaloids were further able to significantly extend the time of metallothionein induction, which is associated with reduced neurodegeneration of aged brain tissue. These results add to the multitarget profiles of 1 and 2 and corroborate their potential in the treatment of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kirchweger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luiz C Klein-Junior
- School of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Quality Control of Phytomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dagmar Pretsch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ya Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sylvian Cretton
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - André L Gasper
- Herbarium Dr. Roberto Miguel Klein, Department of Natural Sciences, Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB), Blumenau, Brazil
| | - Yvan Vander Heyden
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemometrics and Molecular Modeling, Center for Pharmaceutical Research (CePhaR), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Christen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Kirchmair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Amélia T Henriques
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Quality Control of Phytomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Judith M Rollinger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Braczynski AK, Sevenich M, Gering I, Kupreichyk T, Agerschou ED, Kronimus Y, Habib P, Stoldt M, Willbold D, Schulz JB, Bach JP, Falkenburger BH, Hoyer W. Alpha-Synuclein-Specific Naturally Occurring Antibodies Inhibit Aggregation In Vitro and In Vivo. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030469. [PMID: 35327661 PMCID: PMC8946620 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with motor and non-motor symptoms and characterized by aggregates of alpha-synuclein (αSyn). Naturally occurring antibodies (nAbs) are part of the innate immune system, produced without prior contact to their specific antigen, and polyreactive. The abundance of nAbs against αSyn is altered in patients with PD. In this work, we biophysically characterized nAbs against αSyn (nAbs-αSyn) and determined their biological effects. nAbs-αSyn were isolated from commercial intravenous immunoglobulins using column affinity purification. Biophysical properties were characterized using a battery of established in vitro assays. Biological effects were characterized in HEK293T cells transiently transfected with fluorescently tagged αSyn. Specific binding of nAbs-αSyn to monomeric αSyn was demonstrated by Dot blot, ELISA, and Surface Plasmon Resonance. nAbs-αSyn did not affect viability of HEK293T cells as reported by Cell Titer Blue and LDH Assays. nAbs-αSyn inhibited fibrillation of αSyn reported by the Thioflavin T aggregation assay. Altered fibril formation was confirmed with atomic force microscopy. In cells transfected with EGFP-tagged αSyn we observed reduced formation of aggresomes, perinuclear accumulations of αSyn aggregates. The results demonstrate that serum of healthy individuals contains nAbs that specifically bind αSyn and inhibit aggregation of αSyn in vitro. The addition of nAbs-αSyn to cultured cells affects intracellular αSyn aggregates. These findings help understanding the role of the innate immune systems for the pathogenesis of PD and suggest that systemic αSyn binding agents could potentially affect neuronal αSyn pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K. Braczynski
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Marc Sevenich
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
- Priavoid GmbH, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Tatsiana Kupreichyk
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Emil D. Agerschou
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Yannick Kronimus
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Duisburg, Germany;
| | - Pardes Habib
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Stoldt
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Jörg B. Schulz
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- JARA-Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, FZ Jülich and RWTH University, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jan-Philipp Bach
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
| | - Björn H. Falkenburger
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.H.F.); (W.H.)
| | - Wolfgang Hoyer
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
- Correspondence: (B.H.F.); (W.H.)
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18
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Immunisation with UB-312 in the Thy1SNCA mouse prevents motor performance deficits and oligomeric α-synuclein accumulation in the brain and gut. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:55-73. [PMID: 34741635 PMCID: PMC8732825 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02381-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Alpha synuclein has a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (LBD) and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Immunotherapies aiming at neutralising toxic αSyn species are being investigated in the clinic as potential disease modifying therapies for PD and other synucleinopathies. In this study, the effects of active immunisation against αSyn with the UB-312 vaccine were investigated in the Thy1SNCA/15 mouse model of PD. Young transgenic and wild-type mice received an immunisation regimen over a period of 6 weeks, then observed for an additional 9 weeks. Behavioural assessment was conducted before immunisation and at 15 weeks after the first dose. UB-312 immunisation prevented the development of motor impairment in the wire test and challenging beam test, which was associated with reduced levels of αSyn oligomers in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum of Thy1SNCA/15 mice. UB-312 immunotherapy resulted in a significant reduction of theαSyn load in the colon, accompanied by a reduction in enteric glial cell reactivity in the colonic ganglia. Our results demonstrate that immunisation with UB-312 prevents functional deficits and both central and peripheral pathology in Thy1SNCA/15 mice.
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19
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Poulin-Brière A, Rezaei E, Pozzi S. Antibody-Based Therapeutic Interventions for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:790114. [PMID: 34912191 PMCID: PMC8667723 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.790114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a mid-life onset neurodegenerative disease that manifests its symptomatology with motor impairments and cognitive deficits overlapping with Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD). The etiology of ALS remains elusive, with various mechanisms and cellular targets implicated, and no treatment can reverse or stop the progression of the pathology. Therapeutic interventions based on passive immunization are gaining attention for neurodegenerative diseases, and FDA recently approved the first antibody-based approach for Alzheimer's disease. The present systematic review of the literature aims to highlight the efforts made over the past years at developing antibody-based strategies to cure ALS. Thirty-one original research papers have been selected where the therapeutic efficacy of antibodies were investigated and described in patients and animal models of ALS. Antibody-based interventions analyzed, target both extracellular molecules implicated in the pathology and intracellular pathogenic proteins known to drive the disease, such as SOD1, TDP-43 or C9ORF72 repeats expansions. The potentials and limitations of these therapeutic interventions have been described and discussed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edris Rezaei
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Silvia Pozzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Division, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada
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d-Amino Acids and pLG72 in Alzheimer's Disease and Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010917. [PMID: 34681579 PMCID: PMC8535920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies over the last several years have shown that d-amino acids, especially d-serine, have been related to brain and neurological disorders. Acknowledged neurological functions of d-amino acids include neurotransmission and learning and memory functions through modulating N-methyl-d-aspartate type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). Aberrant d-amino acids level and polymorphisms of genes related to d-amino acids metabolism are associated with neurodegenerative brain conditions. This review summarizes the roles of d-amino acids and pLG72, also known as d-amino acid oxidase activator, on two neurodegenerative disorders, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The scope includes the changes in d-amino acids levels, gene polymorphisms of G72 genomics, and the role of pLG72 on NMDARs and mitochondria in schizophrenia and AD. The clinical diagnostic value of d-amino acids and pLG72 and the therapeutic importance are also reviewed.
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