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Landucci E, Ribaudo G, Anyanwu M, Oselladore E, Giannangeli M, Mazzantini C, Lana D, Giovannini MG, Memo M, Pellegrini-Giampietro DE, Gianoncelli A. Virtual Screening-Accelerated Discovery of a Phosphodiesterase 9 Inhibitor with Neuroprotective Effects in the Kainate Toxicity In Vitro Model. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3826-3838. [PMID: 37726213 PMCID: PMC10587872 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system, some specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms modulate pathways involved in neuronal plasticity. Accumulating evidence suggests that PDE9 may be a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. In the current study, computational techniques were used to identify a nature-inspired PDE9 inhibitor bearing the scaffold of an isoflavone, starting from a database of synthetic small molecules using a ligand-based approach. Furthermore, docking studies supported by molecular dynamics investigations allowed us to evaluate the features of the ligand-target complex. In vitro assays confirmed the computational results, showing that the selected compound inhibits the enzyme in the nanomolar range. Additionally, we evaluated the expression of gene and protein levels of PDE9 in organotypic hippocampal slices, observing an increase following exposure to kainate (KA). Importantly, the PDE9 inhibitor reduced CA3 damage induced by KA in a dose-dependent manner in organotypic hippocampal slices. Taken together, these observations strongly support the potential of the identified nature-inspired PDE9 inhibitor and suggest that such a molecule could represent a promising lead compound to develop novel therapeutic tools against neurological diseases..
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Landucci
- Department
of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Firenze, Firenze 50139, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department
of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Margrate Anyanwu
- Department
of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Erika Oselladore
- Department
of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Matteo Giannangeli
- Department
of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Costanza Mazzantini
- Department
of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Firenze, Firenze 50139, Italy
| | - Daniele Lana
- Department
of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Firenze, Firenze 50139, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department
of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Firenze, Firenze 50139, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department
of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department
of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
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De Simone U, Pignatti P, Villani L, Russo LA, Sargenti A, Bonetti S, Buscaglia E, Coccini T. Human Astrocyte Spheroids as Suitable In Vitro Screening Model to Evaluate Synthetic Cannabinoid MAM2201-Induced Effects on CNS. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021421. [PMID: 36674936 PMCID: PMC9861655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing concern about the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), one of the largest groups of new psychoactive substances, its consequence on human health (general population and workers), and the continuous placing of new SCs on the market. Although drug-induced alterations in neuronal function remain an essential component for theories of drug addiction, accumulating evidence indicates the important role of activated astrocytes, whose essential and pleiotropic role in brain physiology and pathology is well recognized. The study aims to clarify the mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by one of the most potent SCs, named MAM-2201 (a naphthoyl-indole derivative), by applying a novel three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model, mimicking the physiological and biochemical properties of brain tissues better than traditional two-dimensional in vitro systems. Specifically, human astrocyte spheroids, generated from the D384 astrocyte cell line, were treated with different MAM-2201 concentrations (1-30 µM) and exposure times (24-48 h). MAM-2201 affected, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, the cell growth and viability, size and morphological structure, E-cadherin and extracellular matrix, CB1-receptors, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and caspase-3/7 activity. The findings demonstrate MAM-2201-induced cytotoxicity to astrocyte spheroids, and support the use of this human 3D cell-based model as species-specific in vitro tool suitable for the evaluation of neurotoxicity induced by other SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uliana De Simone
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Toxicology, and Pavia Poison Centre-National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pignatti
- Allergy and Immunology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Villani
- Pathology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Simone Bonetti
- CNR-ISMN, Institute for Nanostructured Materials, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Buscaglia
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Toxicology, and Pavia Poison Centre-National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Teresa Coccini
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Toxicology, and Pavia Poison Centre-National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0382-592416
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Navaei F, Fathabadi FF, Moghaddam MH, Fathi M, Vakili K, Abdollahifar MA, Boroujeni ME, Zamani N, Zamani N, Norouzian M, Aliaghaei A. Chronic exposure to methadone impairs memory, induces microgliosis, astrogliosis and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of adult male rats. J Chem Neuroanat 2022; 125:102139. [PMID: 35872237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Methadone is a centrally-acting synthetic opioid analgesic widely used in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) programs throughout the world. Given its neurotoxic effects, particularly on the hippocampus, this study aims to address the behavioral and histological alterations in the hippocampus associated with methadone administration. To do so, twenty-four adult male albino rats were randomized into two groups, methadone treatment and control. Methadone was administered subcutaneously (2.5-10 mg/kg) once a day for two consecutive weeks. A comparison was drawn with behavioral and structural changes recorded in the control group. The results showed that methadone administration interrupted spatial learning and memory function. Accordingly, treating rats with methadone not only induced cell death but also prompted the actuation of microgliosis, astrogliosis, and apoptotic biomarkers. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that treating rats with methadone decreased the complexity of astrocyte processes and the complexity of microglia processes. These findings suggest that methadone altered the special distribution of neurons. Also, a substantial increase was observed in the expression of TNF-α due to methadone. According to the findings, methadone administration exerts a neurodegenerative effect on the hippocampus via dysregulation of microgliosis, astrogliosis, apoptosis, and neuro-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Navaei
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman-Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fadaei Fathabadi
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Meysam Hassani Moghaddam
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mobina Fathi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Kimia Vakili
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahdi Eskandarian Boroujeni
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Naghmeh Zamani
- Department of Biology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Nasim Zamani
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman-Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mohsen Norouzian
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Abbas Aliaghaei
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman-Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Cannabidiol inhibits microglia activation and mitigates neuronal damage induced by kainate in an in-vitro seizure model. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 174:105895. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Lana D, Landucci E, Mazzantini C, Magni G, Pellegrini-Giampietro DE, Giovannini MG. The Protective Effect of CBD in a Model of In Vitro Ischemia May Be Mediated by Agonism on TRPV2 Channel and Microglia Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12144. [PMID: 36292998 PMCID: PMC9603301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids, used for centuries for recreational and medical purposes, have potential therapeutic value in stroke treatment. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound and partial agonist of TRPV2 channels, is efficacious in many neurological disorders. We investigated the effects of CBD or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in rat organotypic hippocampal slices exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), an in vitro model of ischemia. Neuronal TRPV2 expression decreased after OGD, but it increased in activated, phagocytic microglia. CBD increased TRPV2 expression, decreased microglia phagocytosis, and increased rod microglia after OGD. THC had effects contrary to those of CBD. Our results show that cannabinoids have different effects in ischemia. CBD showed neuroprotective effects, mediated, at least in part, by TRPV2 channels, since the TRPV2 antagonist tranilast blocked them, while THC worsened the neurodegeneration caused by ischemia. In conclusion, our results suggest that different cannabinoid molecules play different roles in the mechanisms of post-ischemic neuronal death. These different effects of cannabinoid observed in our experiments caution against the indiscriminate use of cannabis or cannabinoid preparations for recreational or therapeutic use. It was observed that the positive effects of CBD may be counteracted by the negative effects caused by high levels of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Elisa Landucci
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Costanza Mazzantini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giada Magni
- Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council (IFAC-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy
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Bertol E, Trignano C. Poisoning Caused by Medicines and Drugs of Abuse. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10090515. [PMID: 36136480 PMCID: PMC9500852 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We believe it is necessary to state a premise on the framing of poison and poisoning in the context of Forensic Toxicology as an important contribution to this Special Issue, which is composed of articles about this discipline-the discipline of "poison" [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bertol
- Research Unit U.R.I.To.N., University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Claudia Trignano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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