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Yang C, Meng Y, Wang X, Li X, Yu T, Liao W, Xie W, Jiang Q, Wang H, Shi C, Jiao W, Bian X, Hu F, Wang X, Liu Y, Zhang L, Wang K, Sun Q. Allosteric Activation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by Novel 2-Arylamino-thiazole-5-carboxylic Acid Amide Derivatives for the Improvement of Cognitive Deficits in Mice. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6344-6364. [PMID: 38393821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Enhancing α7 nAChR function serves as a therapeutic strategy for cognitive disorders. Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of 2-arylamino-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid amide derivatives 6-9 that as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) activate human α7 nAChR current expressed in Xenopus ooctyes. Among the 4-amino derivatives, a representative atypical type I PAM 6p exhibits potent activation of α7 current with an EC50 of 1.3 μM and the maximum activation effect on the current over 48-fold in the presence of acetylcholine (100 μM). The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis reveals that the 4-amino group is crucial for the allosteric activation of α7 currents by compound 6p as the substitution of 4-methyl group results in its conversion to compound 7b (EC50 = 2.1 μM; max effect: 58-fold) characterized as a typical type I PAM. Furthermore, both 6p and 7b are able to rescue auditory gating deficits in mouse schizophrenia-like model of acoustic startle prepulse inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxia Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Ying Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xintong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weiming Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenjun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qianchen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Han Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Cheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenxuan Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiling Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yani Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Qi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Khattab NA, El-Kadem AH, Elblehi SS, Ahmed El-Mahdy N, El-Shitany NA. The emerging role of α7nAChRs/caspase-3/Nrf-2 signaling pathway in citicoline improved autistic behavior induced by thimerosal in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111736. [PMID: 38401462 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a global concern,affecting around 75 million individuals.Various factors contribute to ASD,including mercury-containing preservatives like thimerosal (Thim) found in some vaccines.This study explored whether citicoline could be a therapeutic option for Thim-induced neuronal damage in a mouse model of ASD.Additionally,the study investigated the effects of citicoline on the α7nAChRs/Akt/Nrf2/caspase-3 pathway,which may be involved in the development of ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study separated newborn mice into four groups.The control group received saline injections,while the Thim group received intramuscular injections of 3000 μg Hg/kg Thim on days 7,9,11,and 15 after birth.The two citicoline groups were administered Thim followed by intraperitoneal injections of 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg citicoline for three weeks.Afterward,various parameters were assessed, including growth,behavior,brain histopathology,oxidative stress,apoptotic,and inflammatory markers. KEY FINDINGS Untreated Thim-exposed mice exhibited significant brain damage,which was substantially alleviated by citicoline treatment.This beneficial effect was associated with increased expressions and concentrations of brain α7nAChRs and Akt, increased brain content of Nrf2, and the hippocampus contents of acetylcholine. Citicoline treatment decreased the brain levels of oxidative stress markers (MDA and NO),the apoptotic marker caspase-3,and pro-inflammatory markers (NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-1β). The drug also increased the brain GPx activity. SIGNIFICANCE Based on the results of this study,the α7nAChRs pathway appears to be essential for the therapeutic effectiveness of citicoline in treating Thim-induced ASD in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan A Khattab
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Aya H El-Kadem
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Samar S Elblehi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Nageh Ahmed El-Mahdy
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Nagla A El-Shitany
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
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Takizawa S, Ohuchi K, Fujimaki A, Ito T, Murakami T, Kurita H, Inden M. Effects of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist against α-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity. Neurosci Lett 2024; 823:137654. [PMID: 38281695 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is a potential target for the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) therapeutics. α-Synuclein (α-Syn), a principal component of Lewy bodies (cytoplasmic inclusions), is a major contributor to PD pathophysiology. Previous studies have demonstrated that activating α7 nAChR protects against nigrostriatal dopamine degeneration in acute and chronic PD animal models induced by 6-hydroxydopamine and rotenone, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PNU282987, a selective α7 nAChR agonist, against α-Syn-induced neurotoxicity in α-SynWT-, α-SynA30P-, and α-SynE46K-N2a cells. PNU282987 exhibited substantial neuroprotection against both wild-type and mutant-type α-Syn-induced toxicity. Furthermore, PNU282987 promoted transcription factor EB activity and reduced intracellular α-Syn protein levels through autophagy induction. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of α7 nAChR activation in diseases characterized by α-Syn aggregation, such as PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Takizawa
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ohuchi
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Ayaka Fujimaki
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Taisei Ito
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Takanori Murakami
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hisaka Kurita
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Inden
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-Nishi, Gifu, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
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Abdel-Magid AF. Positive Allosteric Modulators of alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor for the Treatment of Several Central Nervous System Diseases. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:6-8. [PMID: 38229741 PMCID: PMC10788935 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The invention in this patent application relates to spirocyclopropane-2-carboxamide derivatives represented generally by formula 1. These compounds are positive allosteric modulators of α7 nAChR and may be useful in preventing, treating, or ameliorating central nervous system diseases and disorders such as cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia as well as inflammation and cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed F. Abdel-Magid
- Therachem Research Medilab, LLC, 100 Jade Park, Chelsea, Alabama 35043, United States
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Ihnatovych I, Saddler RA, Sule N, Szigeti K. Translational implications of CHRFAM7A, an elusive human-restricted fusion gene. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-023-02389-1. [PMID: 38200291 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Genes restricted to humans may contribute to human-specific traits and provide a different context for diseases. CHRFAM7A is a uniquely human fusion gene and a negative regulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). The α7 nAChR has been a promising target for diseases affecting cognition and higher cortical functions, however, the treatment effect observed in animal models failed to translate into human clinical trials. As CHRFAM7A was not accounted for in preclinical drug screens it may have contributed to the translational gap. Understanding the complex genetic architecture of the locus, deciphering the functional impact of CHRFAM7A on α7 nAChR neurobiology and utilizing human-relevant models may offer novel approaches to explore α7 nAChR as a drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Ihnatovych
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ruth-Ann Saddler
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Norbert Sule
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kinga Szigeti
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Zhou R, Niu K, Wang C, He J, Huang W, Li T, Lan H, Zhang Y, Dang X, Mao L. Human-specific CHRFAM7A primes macrophages for a heightened pro-inflammatory response at the earlier stage of inflammation. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:1926-1941. [PMID: 37655479 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
α7-Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is the key effector molecule of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Evolution has evolved a uniquely human α7-nAChR encoded by CHRFAM7A. It has been demonstrated that CHRFAM7A dominant negatively regulates the functions of α7-nAChR. However, its role in inflammation remains to be fully characterized. CHRFAM7A transgenic (Tg) mice were phenotypically normal and their peritoneal macrophages exhibited decreased ligand-binding capability and, importantly, an activated gene expression profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, when challenged with sepsis, the Tg mice showed no survival disadvantage relative to their wild-type (Wt) counterparts. Further analysis showed that the complete blood count and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were comparable at resting state, but the degrees of leukocyte mobilization and the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in Tg than Wt mice at the early stage of sepsis. In vitro, peritoneal macrophages of the Tg mice exhibited an exaggerated response to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), especially at the earlier time points and at lower dosages of LPS. Remarkably, monocytes from CHRFAM7A-carrier showed similar dynamic changes of the pro-inflammatory cytokines to that observed in the Tg mice upon LPS challenge. Our results suggest that CHRFAM7A increases the mobilization of leukocytes and primes macrophages that confer an enhanced immune response at the early stage of inflammation, which may lead to prompt pathogen clearance, an evolutionary advantage in less severe inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- National Regional Children's Medical Center (Northwest), Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine to Pediatric Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Shaanxi Institute for Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Keran Niu
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Chaoying Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianghui He
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Huang
- National Regional Children's Medical Center (Northwest), Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine to Pediatric Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Shaanxi Institute for Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Tao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Huan Lan
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- National Regional Children's Medical Center (Northwest), Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine to Pediatric Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Shaanxi Institute for Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Cardiology, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Tizabi Y, Bennani S, El Kouhen N, Getachew B, Aschner M. Interaction of Heavy Metal Lead with Gut Microbiota: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1549. [PMID: 37892231 PMCID: PMC10605213 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social interaction and communication, manifests in early childhood and is followed by restricted and stereotyped behaviors, interests, or activities in adolescence and adulthood (DSM-V). Although genetics and environmental factors have been implicated, the exact causes of ASD have yet to be fully characterized. New evidence suggests that dysbiosis or perturbation in gut microbiota (GM) and exposure to lead (Pb) may play important roles in ASD etiology. Pb is a toxic heavy metal that has been linked to a wide range of negative health outcomes, including anemia, encephalopathy, gastroenteric diseases, and, more importantly, cognitive and behavioral problems inherent to ASD. Pb exposure can disrupt GM, which is essential for maintaining overall health. GM, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of various physiological and psychological functions. GM interacts with the brain in a bidirectional manner referred to as the "Gut-Brain Axis (GBA)". In this review, following a general overview of ASD and GM, the interaction of Pb with GM in the context of ASD is emphasized. The potential exploitation of this interaction for therapeutic purposes is also touched upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Samia Bennani
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca 20100, Morocco
| | - Nacer El Kouhen
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca 20100, Morocco
| | - Bruk Getachew
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
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8
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Burns LH, Pei Z, Wang HY. Targeting α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and their protein interactions in Alzheimer's disease drug development. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:1085-1095. [PMID: 37291958 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The decades-old cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) led to clinical testing and FDA approval of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs. Subsequently, the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) was proposed as a new drug target for enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission. Nearly simultaneously, soluble amyloid β1-42 (Aβ42 ) was shown to bind α7nAChR with picomolar affinity to activate kinases that hyperphosphorylate tau, the precursor to tau-containing tangles. Multiple biopharmaceutical companies explored α7nAChR as a drug target for AD, mostly to enhance neurotransmission. Directly targeting α7nAChR proved to be a drug development challenge. The ultra-high-affinity interaction between Aβ42 and α7nAChR posed a significant hurdle for direct competition in the AD brain. The receptor rapidly desensitizes, undermining efficacy of agonists. Drug discovery approaches therefore included partial agonists and allosteric modulators of α7nAChR. After substantial effort, numerous drug candidates were abandoned due to lack of efficacy or drug-related toxicities. As alternatives, proteins interacting with α7nAChR were sought. In 2016, a novel nAChR regulator was identified, but no drug candidates have emerged from this effort. In 2012, the interaction of filamin A with α7nAChR was shown to be critical to Aβ42 's toxic signaling via α7nAChR, presenting a new drug target. The novel drug candidate simufilam disrupts the filamin A-α7nAChR interaction, reduces Aβ42 's high-affinity binding to α7nAChR, and suppresses Aβ42 's toxic signaling. Early clinical trials of simufilam showed improvements in experimental CSF biomarkers and indications of cognitive improvement in mild AD patients at 1 year. Simufilam is currently in phase 3 clinical trials as a disease-modifying treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhe Pei
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hoau-Yan Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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9
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Li Q, Qi S, Liang J, Tian Y, He S, Liao Q, Xing S, Han L, Chen X. Review of triazole scaffolds for treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110623. [PMID: 37451665 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Triazole scaffolds, a series of 5-membered heterocycles, are well known for their high efficacy, low toxicity, and superior pharmacokinetics. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the first neurodegenerative disorder with complex pathological mechanisms. Triazole, as an aromatic group with three nitrogen atoms, forms polar and non-polar interactions with diverse key residues in the receptor-ligand binding procedure, and has been widely used in the molecular design in the development of anti-AD agents. Moreover, considering the simple synthesis approaches, triazole scaffolds are commonly used to link two pharmacodynamic groups in one chemical molecule, forming multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs). Furthermore, the click reaction between azide- and cyano-modified enzyme and ligand provides feasibility for the new modulator discovery, compound tissue distribution evaluation, enzyme localization, and pharmacological mechanism study, promoting the diagnosis of AD course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Shulei Qi
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jinxin Liang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Siyu He
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Shandong Junrong Technology Transfer Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shuaishuai Xing
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Lingfei Han
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xuehong Chen
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
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Viscarra F, Chrestia JF, Sanchez Y, Pérez EG, Biggin PC, Bouzat C, Bermudez I, López JJ. Side Groups Convert the α7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonist Ether Quinuclidine into a Type I Positive Allosteric Modulator. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2876-2887. [PMID: 37535446 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The quinuclidine scaffold has been extensively used for the development of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, with hydrophobic substituents at position 3 of the quinuclidine framework providing selectivity for α7 nAChRs. In this study, six new ligands (4-9) containing a 3-(pyridin-3-yloxy)quinuclidine moiety (ether quinuclidine) were synthesized to gain a better understanding of the structural-functional properties of ether quinuclidines. To evaluate the pharmacological activity of these ligands, two-electrode voltage-clamp and single-channel recordings were performed. Only ligand 4 activated α7 nAChR. Ligands 5 and 7 had no effects on α7 nAChR, but ligands 6, 8, and 9 potentiated the currents evoked by ACh. Ligand 6 was the most potent and efficacious of the potentiating ligands, with an estimated EC50 for potentiation of 12.6 ± 3.32 μM and a maximal potentiation of EC20 ACh responses of 850 ± 120%. Ligand 6 increased the maximal ACh responses without changing the kinetics of the current responses. At the single-channel level, the potentiation exerted by ligand 6 was evidenced in the low micromolar concentration range by the appearance of prolonged bursts of channel openings. Furthermore, computational studies revealed the preference of ligand 6 for an intersubunit site in the transmembrane domain and highlighted some putative key interactions that explain the different profiles of the synthesized ligands. Notably, Met276 in the 15' position of the transmembrane domain 2 almost abolished the effects of ligand 6 when mutated to Leu. We conclude that ligand 6 is a novel type I positive allosteric modulator (PAM-I) of α7 nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Viscarra
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, U.K
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K
| | - Juan Facundo Chrestia
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Yaima Sanchez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile
| | - Edwin G Pérez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Philip C Biggin
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, U.K
| | - Jhon J López
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile
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11
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Wang Q, Du W, Wang H, Geng P, Sun Y, Zhang J, Wang W, Jin X. Nicotine's effect on cognition, a friend or foe? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 124:110723. [PMID: 36736944 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Smoking comes in form of absorption of many compounds, among which nicotine is the main psychoactive component of tobacco and its positive and negative reinforcement effects are proposed to be the key mechanism for the initiation and maintenance of smoking. Growing evidence suggests that the cognitive enhancement effects of nicotine may also contribute to the difficulty of quitting smoking, especially in individuals with psychiatric disorders. In this review, we first introduce the beneficial effect of nicotine on cognition including attention, short-term memory and long-term memory. We next summarize the beneficial effect of nicotine on cognition under pathological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Stress-induced Anxiety, Depression, and drug-induced memory impairment. The possible mechanism underlying nicotine's effect is also explored. Finally, nicotine's detrimental effect on cognition is discussed, including in the prenatal and adolescent periods, and high-dose nicotine- and withdrawal-induced memory impairment is emphasized. Therefore, nicotine serves as both a friend and foe. Nicotine-derived compounds could be a promising strategy to alleviate neurological disease-associated cognitive deficit, however, due to nicotine's detrimental effect, continued educational programs and public awareness campaigns are needed to reduce tobacco use among pregnant women and smoking should be quitted even if it is e-cigarette, especially for the adolescents.
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12
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Atta AA, Ibrahim WW, Mohamed AF, Abdelkader NF. Targeting α7-nAChR by galantamine mitigates reserpine-induced fibromyalgia-like symptoms in rats: Involvement of cAMP/PKA, PI3K/AKT, and M1/M2 microglia polarization. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 952:175810. [PMID: 37245858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pain disorder marked by generalized musculoskeletal pain accompanied by depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Galantamine (Gal) is a positive allosteric modulator of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and a reversible inhibitor of cholinesterase. The current study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of Gal against reserpine (Res)-induced FM-like condition along with investigating the α7-nAChR's role in Gal-mediated effects. Rats were injected with Res (1 mg/kg/day; sc) for 3 successive days then Gal (5 mg/kg/day; ip) was given alone and with the α7-nAChR blocker methyllycaconitine (3 mg/kg/day; ip), for the subsequent 5 days. Galantamine alleviated Res-induced histopathological changes and monoamines depletion in rats' spinal cord. It also exerted analgesic effect along with ameliorating Res-induced depression and motor-incoordination as confirmed by behavioral tests. Moreover, Gal produced anti-inflammatory effect through modulating AKT1/AKT2 and shifting M1/M2 macrophage polarization. The neuroprotective effects of Gal were mediated through activating cAMP/PKA and PI3K/AKT pathways in α7-nAChR-dependent manner. Thus, Gal can ameliorate Res-induced FM-like symptoms and mitigate the associated monoamines depletion, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neurodegeneration through α7-nAChR stimulation, with the involvement of cAMP/PKA, PI3K/AKT, and M1/M2 macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahd A Atta
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., 11562, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Weam W Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., 11562, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed F Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., 11562, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha F Abdelkader
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., 11562, Cairo, Egypt
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13
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Li Q, Nemecz Á, Aymé G, Dejean de la Bâtie G, Prevost MS, Pons S, Barilone N, Baachaoui R, Maskos U, Lafaye P, Corringer PJ. Generation of nanobodies acting as silent and positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:164. [PMID: 37231269 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04779-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), a potential drug target for treating cognitive disorders, mediates communication between neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Although many competitive antagonists, agonists, and partial-agonists have been found and synthesized, they have not led to effective therapeutic treatments. In this context, small molecules acting as positive allosteric modulators binding outside the orthosteric, acetylcholine, site have attracted considerable interest. Two single-domain antibody fragments, C4 and E3, against the extracellular domain of the human α7-nAChR were generated through alpaca immunization with cells expressing a human α7-nAChR/mouse 5-HT3A chimera, and are herein described. They bind to the α7-nAChR but not to the other major nAChR subtypes, α4β2 and α3β4. E3 acts as a slowly associating positive allosteric modulator, strongly potentiating the acetylcholine-elicited currents, while not precluding the desensitization of the receptor. An E3-E3 bivalent construct shows similar potentiating properties but displays very slow dissociation kinetics conferring quasi-irreversible properties. Whereas, C4 does not alter the receptor function, but fully inhibits the E3-evoked potentiation, showing it is a silent allosteric modulator competing with E3 binding. Both nanobodies do not compete with α-bungarotoxin, localizing at an allosteric extracellular binding site away from the orthosteric site. The functional differences of each nanobody, as well as the alteration of functional properties through nanobody modifications indicate the importance of this extracellular site. The nanobodies will be useful for pharmacological and structural investigations; moreover, they, along with the extracellular site, have a direct potential for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimeng Li
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Antibody Engineering Platform, Paris, France
- Lanzhou Institute of Biological Product Co., Lanzhou, China
- Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Paris, France
| | - Ákos Nemecz
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France.
| | - Gabriel Aymé
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Antibody Engineering Platform, Paris, France.
| | | | - Marie S Prevost
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Pons
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic Systems Unit, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Barilone
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Rayen Baachaoui
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Antibody Engineering Platform, Paris, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic Systems Unit, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Lafaye
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Antibody Engineering Platform, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Corringer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France.
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14
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Deng M, Yang Z, Ni Y, Zhu L, Xu J, Zheng L, Zhou B. Effects of varenicline on the serum levels of olanzapine in male patients with Schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1142419. [PMID: 37275966 PMCID: PMC10235537 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1142419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Smoking in patients with Schizophrenia is more common than in the general population. Varenicline, a partial agonist at α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, is an effective smoking cessation pharmacotherapy in patients with Schizophrenia. However, its effects on the serum levels of antipsychotics in Schizophrenia are understudied. This study investigated the impact of smoking cessation with varenicline on the serum concentration of olanzapine in patients with Schizophrenia. Methods Adult smokers with Schizophrenia were enrolled in a 12-week course of varenicline and placebo for smoking cessation. The serum concentration of olanzapine was measured at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. Data were analyzed with the generalized additive mixed model. Results During the 12-week study, the results indicated that olanzapine concentrations increased nonlinearly in the varenicline and placebo groups. Threshold effect analysis suggested that the olanzapine concentrations increased over time until the turning point (week 4). However, there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Conclusion Varenicline showed safety and efficacy in smoking cessation in people with Schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengling Deng
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Ni
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
| | - Lingli Zhu
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
| | - Jiating Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Zheng
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China
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15
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Useinovic N, Near M, Cabrera OH, Boscolo A, Milosevic A, Harvey R, Newson A, Chastain-Potts S, Quillinan N, Jevtovic-Todorovic V. Neonatal sevoflurane exposure induces long-term changes in dendritic morphology in juvenile rats and mice. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:641-655. [PMID: 37309741 PMCID: PMC10350807 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231170003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
General anesthetics are potent neurotoxins when given during early development, causing apoptotic deletion of substantial number of neurons and persistent neurocognitive and behavioral deficits in animals and humans. The period of intense synaptogenesis coincides with the peak of susceptibility to deleterious effects of anesthetics, a phenomenon particularly pronounced in vulnerable brain regions such as subiculum. With steadily accumulating evidence confirming that clinical doses and durations of anesthetics may permanently alter the physiological trajectory of brain development, we set out to investigate the long-term consequences on dendritic morphology of subicular pyramidal neurons and expression on genes regulating the complex neural processes such as neuronal connectivity, learning, and memory. Using a well-established model of anesthetic neurotoxicity in rats and mice neonatally exposed to sevoflurane, a volatile general anesthetic commonly used in pediatric anesthesia, we report that a single 6 h of continuous anesthesia administered at postnatal day (PND) 7 resulted in lasting dysregulation in subicular mRNA levels of cAMP responsive element modulator (Crem), cAMP responsive element-binding protein 1 (Creb1), and Protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha, a subunit of calcineurin (Ppp3ca) (calcineurin) when examined during juvenile period at PND28. Given the critical role of these genes in synaptic development and neuronal plasticity, we deployed a set of histological measurements to investigate the implications of anesthesia-induced dysregulation of gene expression on morphology and complexity of surviving subicular pyramidal neurons. Our results indicate that neonatal exposure to sevoflurane induced lasting rearrangement of subicular dendrites, resulting in higher orders of complexity and increased branching with no significant effects on the soma of pyramidal neurons. Correspondingly, changes in dendritic complexity were paralleled by the increased spine density on apical dendrites, further highlighting the scope of anesthesia-induced dysregulation of synaptic development. We conclude that neonatal sevoflurane induced persistent genetic and morphological dysregulation in juvenile rodents, which could indicate heightened susceptibility toward cognitive and behavioral disorders we are beginning to recognize as sequelae of early-in-life anesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemanja Useinovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michelle Near
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Omar Hoseá Cabrera
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Annalisa Boscolo
- Institute of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Padua University Hospital, Padua 35128. Italy
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy
| | - Andjelko Milosevic
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rachel Harvey
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
| | - Adre Newson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Shelby Chastain-Potts
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nidia Quillinan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Neuronal Injury and Plasticity Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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16
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Liu H, Zhang X, Shi P, Yuan J, Jia Q, Pi C, Chen T, Xiong L, Chen J, Tang J, Yue R, Liu Z, Shen H, Zuo Y, Wei Y, Zhao L. α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: a key receptor in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway exerting an antidepressant effect. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:84. [PMID: 36973813 PMCID: PMC10041767 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02768-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a common mental illness, which is related to monoamine neurotransmitters and the dysfunction of the cholinergic, immune, glutamatergic, and neuroendocrine systems. The hypothesis of monoamine neurotransmitters is one of the commonly recognized pathogenic mechanisms of depression; however, the drugs designed based on this hypothesis have not achieved good clinical results. A recent study demonstrated that depression and inflammation were strongly correlated, and the activation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR)-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in the cholinergic system exhibited good therapeutic effects against depression. Therefore, anti-inflammation might be a potential direction for the treatment of depression. Moreover, it is also necessary to further reveal the key role of inflammation and α7 nAChR in the pathogenesis of depression. This review focused on the correlations between inflammation and depression as well-discussed the crucial role of α7 nAChR in the CAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyang Liu
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- grid.469520.c0000 0004 1757 8917Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Institute of Medicinal Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, 400065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Shi
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiyuan Yuan
- grid.488387.8Clinical Trial Center, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiang Jia
- grid.488387.8Ethics Committee Office, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan China
| | - Chao Pi
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Linjin Xiong
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinglin Chen
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia Tang
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruxu Yue
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Zerong Liu
- Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Credit Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd., Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan China
- grid.190737.b0000 0001 0154 0904Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030 China
| | - Hongping Shen
- grid.488387.8Clinical Trial Center, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Zuo
- grid.488387.8Department of Comprehensive Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan China
| | - Yumeng Wei
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Zhao
- grid.488387.8Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Central Nervous System Drug Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
- grid.488387.8Luzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Diseases Jointly Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
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17
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Choueiry J, Blais CM, Shah D, Smith D, Fisher D, Labelle A, Knott V. An α7 nAChR approach for the baseline-dependent modulation of deviance detection in schizophrenia: A pilot study assessing the combined effect of CDP-choline and galantamine. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:381-395. [PMID: 36927273 PMCID: PMC10101183 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231158903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive operations including pre-attentive sensory processing are markedly impaired in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) but evidence significant interindividual heterogeneity, which moderates treatment response with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists. Previous studies in healthy volunteers have shown baseline-dependency effects of the α7 nAChR agonist cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) administered alone and in combination with a nicotinic allosteric modulator (galantamine) on auditory deviance detection measured with the mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related potential (ERP). AIM The objective of this pilot study was to assess the acute effect of this combined α7 nAChR-targeted treatment (CDP-choline/galantamine) on speech MMN in patients with SCZ (N = 24) stratified by baseline MMN responses into low, medium, and high baseline auditory deviance detection subgroups. METHODS Patients with a stable diagnosis of SCZ attended two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and counter-balanced testing sessions where they received a placebo or a CDP-choline (500 mg) and galantamine (16 mg) treatment. MMN ERPs were recorded during the presentation of a fast multi-feature speech MMN paradigm including five speech deviants. Clinical measures were acquired before and after treatment administration. RESULTS While no main treatment effect was observed, CDP-choline/galantamine significantly increased MMN amplitudes to frequency, duration, and vowel speech deviants in low group individuals. Individuals with higher positive and negative symptom scale negative, general, and total scores expressed the greatest MMN amplitude improvement following CDP-choline/galantamine. CONCLUSIONS These baseline-dependent nicotinic effects on early auditory information processing warrant different dosage and repeated administration assessments in patients with low baseline deviance detection levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Choueiry
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Crystal M Blais
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dhrasti Shah
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Smith
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Alain Labelle
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Verner Knott
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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18
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El Sayed NS, Abidar S, Nhiri M, Hritcu L, Ibrahim WW. Aqueous extract of Ceratonia siliqua L. leaves elicits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and AChE inhibiting effects in amyloid-β42-induced cognitive deficit mice: Role of α7-nAChR in modulating Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin cascade. Phytother Res 2023. [PMID: 36760217 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder attributed to several etiological factors including cholinergic dysregulation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, β-amyloidogenesis, and tauopathy. This demands the search for multitarget drugs, especially of natural sources owing to their pleiotropic activities and low adverse effects. The present study was conducted to investigate the cognitive-improving potential of Ceratonia siliqua L. (Cs) extract compared with donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on AD-like pathological alterations induced by single intracerebroventricular amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) injection in mice. Aβ42-injected mice were treated with Cs (100 mg/kg/day, po) with or without methyllycaconitine (MLA; 1 mg/kg/day, ip), an α7-nAChR antagonist. Aβ42-injected animals demonstrated an elevation of hippocampal Aβ42, p-Tau, and acetylcholinesterase. They also showed a decline in phosphorylated levels of Jak2, PI3K, Akt, and GSK-3β, leading to induction of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Noteworthy, Cs improved the histopathological and behavioral variables in addition to mitigating AD hallmarks. It also exerted neuroprotection by reducing NF-κBp65 and TNF-α, while elevating Nrf2 and HO-1, along with stabilizing β-catenin under the impact of Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling. These beneficial effects of Cs were abrogated by MLA co-administration signifying the α7-nAChR involvement in Cs-mediated effects. Therefore, Cs can ameliorate Aβ42-induced neurodegeneration by modulating Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin axis in an α7-nAChR-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrine S El Sayed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara Abidar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (LBMG), Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Tangier (FSTT) Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Nhiri
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (LBMG), Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Tangier (FSTT) Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Lucian Hritcu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
| | - Weam W Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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19
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Wang L, Wang B, Wu C, Wang J, Sun M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Neurodevelopmental Risk Factors, Biological Mechanism, and Precision Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031819. [PMID: 36768153 PMCID: PMC9915249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has progressively increased, however, no clear diagnostic markers and specifically targeted medications for autism have emerged. As a result, neurobehavioral abnormalities, neurobiological alterations in ASD, and the development of novel ASD pharmacological therapy necessitate multidisciplinary collaboration. In this review, we discuss the development of multiple animal models of ASD to contribute to the disease mechanisms of ASD, as well as new studies from multiple disciplines to assess the behavioral pathology of ASD. In addition, we summarize and highlight the mechanistic advances regarding gene transcription, RNA and non-coding RNA translation, abnormal synaptic signaling pathways, epigenetic post-translational modifications, brain-gut axis, immune inflammation and neural loop abnormalities in autism to provide a theoretical basis for the next step of precision therapy. Furthermore, we review existing autism therapy tactics and limits and present challenges and opportunities for translating multidisciplinary knowledge of ASD into clinical practice.
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20
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Peng W, Mao L, Dang X. The emergence of the uniquely human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene and its roles in inflammation. Gene 2022; 842:146777. [PMID: 35952843 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The uniquely human CHRFAM7A gene is evolved from the fusion of two partially duplicated genes, ULK4 and CHRNA7. Transcription of CHRFAM7A gene produces a 1256-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes duplicate α7-nAChR (dup-α7-nAChR), in which a 27-aminoacid peptide derived from ULK4 gene replaces the 146-aminoacid N-terminal extracellular domain of α7-nAChR, and the rest protein domains are exactly the same as those of α7-nAChR. In vitro, dup-α7-nAChR has been shown to form hetero-pentamer with α7-nAChR and dominant-negatively inhibits the channel functions of the latter. α7-nAChR has been shown to participate in many pathophysiological processes such as cognition, memory, neuronal degenerative disease, psychological disease, and inflammatory diseases, among others, and thus has been extensively exploited as potential therapeutic targets for many diseases. Unfortunately, many lead compounds that showed potent therapeutic effect in preclinical animal models failed clinical trials, suggesting the possibility that the contribution of the uniquely human CHRFAM7A gene may not be accounted for in the preclinical research. Here, we review the emergence of CHRFAM7A gene and its transcriptional regulation, the regulatory roles of CHRFAM7A gene in α7-nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, and the potential implications of CHRFAM7A gene in translational research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanling Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, India
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, India
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, India; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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21
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Chrestia JF, Oliveira AS, Mulholland AJ, Gallagher T, Bermúdez I, Bouzat C. A Functional Interaction Between Y674-R685 Region of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and the Human α7 Nicotinic Receptor. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6076-6090. [PMID: 35859025 PMCID: PMC9299415 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02947-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is present in neuronal and non-neuronal cells and has anti-inflammatory actions. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that α7 nAChR interacts with a region of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S), and a potential contribution of nAChRs to COVID-19 pathophysiology has been proposed. We applied whole-cell and single-channel recordings to determine whether a peptide corresponding to the Y674-R685 region of the S protein can directly affect α7 nAChR function. The S fragment exerts a dual effect on α7. It activates α7 nAChRs in the presence of positive allosteric modulators, in line with our previous molecular dynamics simulations showing favourable binding of this accessible region of the S protein to the nAChR agonist binding site. The S fragment also exerts a negative modulation of α7, which is evidenced by a profound concentration-dependent decrease in the durations of openings and activation episodes of potentiated channels and in the amplitude of macroscopic responses elicited by ACh. Our study identifies a potential functional interaction between α7 nAChR and a region of the S protein, thus providing molecular foundations for further exploring the involvement of nAChRs in COVID-19 pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Facundo Chrestia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7-8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Adrian J Mulholland
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | | | - Isabel Bermúdez
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7-8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
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22
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Fu H, Shen QR, Zhao Y, Ni M, Zhou CC, Chen JK, Chi C, Li DJ, Liang G, Shen FM. Activating α7nAChR ameliorates abdominal aortic aneurysm through inhibiting pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2585-2595. [PMID: 35217818 PMCID: PMC9525652 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00876-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a dilated aorta in diameter at least 1.5 times of a normal aorta. Our previous studies found that activating α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) had a protective effect on vascular injury. This work was to investigate whether activating α7nAChR could influence AAA formation and explore its mechanisms. AAA models were established by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion in ApoE−/− mice or in wild type and α7nAChR−/− mice. In vitro mouse aortic smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). PNU-282987 was chosen to activate α7nAChR. We found that cell pyroptosis effector GSDMD and NLRP3 inflammasome were activated in abdominal aorta, and inflammatory cytokines in serum were elevated in AAA models of ApoE−/− mice. Activating α7nAChR reduced maximal aortic diameters, preserved elastin integrity and decreased inflammatory responses in ApoE−/− mice with Ang II infusion. While α7nAChR−/− mice led to aggravated aortic injury and increased inflammatory cytokines with Ang II infusion when compared with wild type. Moreover, activating α7nAChR inhibited NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway in AAA model of ApoE−/− mice, while α7nAChR deficiency promoted this pathway. In vitro, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NLRP3 knockdown reduced GSDMD expression, in MOVAS cells treated with TNF-α. Furthermore, activating α7nAChR inhibited oxidative stress, reduced NLRP3/GSDMD expression, and decreased cell pyroptosis in MOVAS cells with TNF-α. In conclusion, our study found that activating α7nAChR retarded AAA through inhibiting pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome. These suggested that α7nAChR would be a potential pharmacological target for AAA.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and tobacco smoking are both serious public health problems. Many people with TBI also smoke. Nicotine, a component of tobacco smoke, has been identified as a premorbid neuroprotectant in other neurological disorders. This study aims to provide better understanding of relationships between tobacco smoking and nicotine use and effect on outcome/recovery from TBI. METHODS PubMed database, SCOPUS, and PTSDpub were searched for relevant English-language papers. RESULTS Twenty-nine human clinical studies and nine animal studies were included. No nicotine-replacement product use in human TBI clinical studies were identified. While smoking tobacco prior to injury can be harmful primarily due to systemic effects that can compromise brain function, animal studies suggest that nicotine as a pharmacological agent may augment recovery of cognitive deficits caused by TBI. CONCLUSIONS While tobacco smoking before or after TBI has been associated with potential harms, many clinical studies downplay correlations for most expected domains. On the other hand, nicotine could provide potential treatment for cognitive deficits following TBI by reversing impaired signaling pathways in the brain including those involving nAChRs, TH, and dopamine. Future studies regarding the impact of cigarette smoking and vaping on patients with TBI are needed .
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan K Rao
- Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Diane D McConnell
- Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - N Scott Litofsky
- Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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24
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Ni D, Chai Z, Wang Y, Li M, Yu Z, Liu Y, Lu S, Zhang J. Along the allostery stream: Recent advances in computational methods for allosteric drug discovery. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Duan Ni
- College of Pharmacy Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan China
- The Charles Perkins Centre University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Zongtao Chai
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital Second Military Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Mingyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | | | - Yaqin Liu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- College of Pharmacy Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Pharmacy Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China
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25
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Rajendran R, Menon KN, Nair SC. Nanotechnology Approaches for Enhanced CNS Drug Delivery in the Management of Schizophrenia. Adv Pharm Bull 2021; 12:490-508. [PMID: 35935056 PMCID: PMC9348538 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2022.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder mainly affecting the central nervous system, presented with auditory and visual hallucinations, delusion and withdrawal from society. Abnormal dopamine levels mainly characterise the disease; various theories of neurotransmitters explain the pathophysiology of the disease. The current therapeutic approach deals with the systemic administration of drugs other than the enteral route, altering the neurotransmitter levels within the brain and providing symptomatic relief. Fluid biomarkers help in the early detection of the disease, which would improve the therapeutic efficacy. However, the major challenge faced in CNS drug delivery is the blood-brain barrier. Nanotherapeutic approaches may overcome these limitations, which will improve safety, efficacy, and targeted drug delivery. This review article addresses the main challenges faced in CNS drug delivery and the significance of current therapeutic strategies and nanotherapeutic approaches for a better understanding and enhanced drug delivery to the brain, which improve the quality of life of schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krishnakumar Neelakandha Menon
- Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi-682041, Kerala, India
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Wang X, Xiao H, Wang J, Huang Z, Peng G, Xie W, Bian X, Liu H, Shi C, Yang T, Li X, Gao J, Meng Y, Jiang Q, Chen W, Hu F, Wei N, Wang X, Zhang L, Wang K, Sun Q. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Triazine Derivatives as Positive Allosteric Modulators of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12379-12396. [PMID: 34374537 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing neuronal α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) function can alleviate cognitive deficits. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of N-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine derivatives 8-10 as a series of novel α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). The representative compound 10e functions as a type I PAM with an EC50 of 3.0 μM and approximately 38-fold enhancement of α7 current in the presence of agonist acetylcholine (100 μM). It specifically enhances α7 current with high selectivity. Compound 10e shows good pharmacokinetic property in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of 10e (3 mg/kg) exhibits sufficient blood-brain barrier penetration in mice. Furthermore, 10e can also rescue the auditory gating deficit in mice with schizophrenia-like behavior. Molecular docking of 10e with homopentameric α7 nAChR reveals a new mode of action. These results support the potential of 10e for treatment for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Haoran Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Zongze Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Geng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenjun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiling Bian
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Huijie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Cheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Taoyi Yang
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qianchen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Ningning Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Qi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Mohamed RA, Abdallah DM, El-brairy AI, Ahmed KA, El-Abhar HS. Palonosetron/Methyllycaconitine Deactivate Hippocampal Microglia 1, Inflammasome Assembly and Pyroptosis to Enhance Cognition in a Novel Model of Neuroinflammation. Molecules 2021; 26:5068. [PMID: 34443654 PMCID: PMC8401912 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26165068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Since westernized diet-induced insulin resistance is a risk factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD) development, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coexists with amyloid β (Aβ)1-42 in these patients, our AD novel model was developed to resemble sporadic AD by injecting LPS into high fat/fructose diet (HFFD)-fed rats. The neuroprotective potential of palonosetron and/or methyllycaconitine, 5-HT3 receptor and α7 nAChR blockers, respectively, was evaluated after 8 days of daily administration in HFFD/LPS rats. All regimens improved histopathological findings and enhanced spatial memory (Morris Water Maze); however, palonosetron alone or with methyllycaconitine promoted animal performance during novel object recognition tests. In the hippocampus, all regimens reduced the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and skewed microglia M1 to M2 phenotype, indicated by the decreased M1 markers and the enhanced M2 related parameters. Additionally, palonosetron and its combination regimen downregulated the expression of ASC/TMS1, as well as levels of inflammasome downstream molecules and abated cleaved caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 and caspase-11. Furthermore, ACh and 5-HT were augmented after being hampered by the insult. Our study speculates that blocking 5-HT3 receptor using palonosetron overrides methyllycaconitine to combat AD-induced neuroinflammation and inflammasome cascade, as well as to restore microglial function in a HFFD/LPS novel model for sporadic AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem A. Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, 26 July Mehwar Road Intersection with Wahat Road, 6th of October City, Giza 12451, Egypt; (R.A.M.); (A.I.E.-b.)
| | - Dalaal M. Abdallah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Κasr El-Aini Str., Cairo 11562, Egypt;
| | - Amany I. El-brairy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, 26 July Mehwar Road Intersection with Wahat Road, 6th of October City, Giza 12451, Egypt; (R.A.M.); (A.I.E.-b.)
| | - Kawkab A. Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt;
| | - Hanan S. El-Abhar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Κasr El-Aini Str., Cairo 11562, Egypt;
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28
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Wedn AM, El-Bassossy HM, Eid AH, El-Mas MM. Modulation of preeclampsia by the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway: Therapeutic perspectives. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114703. [PMID: 34324867 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) is vital for the orchestration of the immune and inflammatory responses under normal and challenged conditions. Over the past two decades, peripheral and central circuits of CAP have been shown to be critically involved in dampening the inflammatory reaction in a wide array of inflammatory disorders. Additionally, emerging evidence supports a key role for CAP in the regulation of the female reproductive system during gestation as well as in the advent of serious pregnancy-related inflammatory insults such as preeclampsia (PE). Within this framework, the modulatory action of CAP encompasses the perinatal maternal and fetal adverse consequences that surface due to antenatal PE programming. Albeit, a considerable gap still exists in our knowledge of the precise cellular and molecular underpinnings of PE/CAP interaction, which hampered global efforts in safeguarding effective preventive or therapeutic measures against PE complications. Here, we summarize reports in the literature regarding the roles of peripheral and reflex cholinergic neuroinflammatory pathways of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in reprogramming PE complications in mothers and their progenies. The possible contributions of α7-nAChRs, cholinesterases, immune cells, adhesion molecules, angiogenesis, and endothelial dysfunction to the interaction have also been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla M Wedn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hany M El-Bassossy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mahmoud M El-Mas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
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Casas-Alba D, Nolasco GA, Díez-Juan M, Mezzatesta M, Balañá G, Fons C. Targeted therapy with galantamine in a pediatric patient with 15q13.3 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:3897-3899. [PMID: 34272916 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dídac Casas-Alba
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregorio Alexander Nolasco
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Díez-Juan
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Area, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcela Mezzatesta
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Area, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Balañá
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Area, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Fons
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
The α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is one of the most unique and interesting of all the members of the cys-loop superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels. Since it was first identified initially as a binding site for α-bungarotoxin in mammalian brain and later as a functional homomeric receptor with relatively high calcium permeability, it has been pursued as a potential therapeutic target for numerous indications, from Alzheimer disease to asthma. In this review, we discuss the history and state of the art for targeting α7 receptors, beginning with subtype-selective agonists and the basic pharmacophore for the selective activation of α7 receptors. A key feature of α7 receptors is their rapid desensitization by standard "orthosteric" agonist, and we discuss insights into the conformational landscape of α7 receptors that has been gained by the development of ligands binding to allosteric sites. Some of these sites are targeted by positive allosteric modulators that have a wide range of effects on the activation profile of the receptors. Other sites are targeted by direct allosteric agonist or antagonists. We include a perspective on the potential importance of α7 receptors for metabotropic as well as ionotropic signaling. We outline the challenges that exist for future development of drugs to target this important receptor and approaches that may be considered to address those challenges. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is acknowledged as a potentially important therapeutic target with functional properties associated with both ionotropic and metabotropic signaling. The functional properties of α7 nAChR can be regulated in diverse ways with the variety of orthosteric and allosteric ligands described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger L Papke
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (R.L.P) and Chemistry (N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Nicole A Horenstein
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (R.L.P) and Chemistry (N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Hammarlund ME, Darsalia V, Mjörnstedt F, Pattanaik B, Mallard C, Rocha-Ferreira E, Patrone C, Johansson M. The selective alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist AR-R17779 does not affect ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in mice. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:BSR20210736. [PMID: 34008839 PMCID: PMC8200656 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20210736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation plays a central role in stroke-induced brain injury. The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) can modulate immune responses in both the periphery and the brain. The aims of the present study were to investigate α7nAChR expression in different brain regions and evaluate the potential effect of the selective α7nAChR agonist AR-R17779 on ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in mice. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to evaluate the absolute expression of the gene encoding α7nAChR (Chrna7) in hippocampus, striatum, thalamus and cortex in adult, naïve mice. Mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) or sham surgery were treated with α7nAChR agonist AR-R17779 (12 mg/kg) or saline once daily for 5 days. Infarct size and microglial activation 7 days after tMCAO were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Chrna7 expression was found in all analyzed brain regions in naïve mice with the highest expression in cortex and hippocampus. At sacrifice, white blood cell count was significantly decreased in AR-R17779 treated mice compared with saline controls in the sham groups, although, no effect was seen in the tMCAO groups. Brain injury and microglial activation were evident 7 days after tMCAO. However, no difference was found between mice treated with saline or AR-R17779. In conclusion, α7nAChR expression varies in different brain regions and, despite a decrease in white blood cells in sham mice receiving AR-R17779, this compound does not affect stroke-induced brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Hammarlund
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vladimer Darsalia
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Filip Mjörnstedt
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bagmi Pattanaik
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carina Mallard
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eridan Rocha-Ferreira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cesare Patrone
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria E. Johansson
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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32
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Li H, Gao J, Chang Y, Li K, Wang L, Ju C, Zhang F. JWX-A0108, a positive allosteric modulator of α7 nAChR, attenuates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice by suppressing NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107726. [PMID: 33975230 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays an early and prominent role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have shown that cholinergic lesion is a contributor for the pathophysiology of AD. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a subtype of nAChRs, are abundantly expressed in the brain regions related to cognition and memory, such as hippocampus and frontal cortex. The α7 nAChR is rapidly activated and desensitized by agonists. JWX-A0108 is a type I positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of α7 nAChR, which mainly enhances agonist-evoked peak currents. Here, we used the Morris Water Maze to evaluate the effect of JWX-A0108 on cognition and memory functions in APP/PS1 mice, and the mechanism related to anti-inflammatory effect. The results showed that JWX-A0108 could improve the learning and memory function of APP/PS1 transgenic mice in Morris water maze, decrease the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 in the brain and lower the phosphorylation level of IκBα (Ser32/36) and NF-κB p65 (Ser536), decrease the expression of Iba1, the microglia activation marker. Nissl staining showed that the CA3 and DG regions of hippocampus were damaged in APP/PS1 mice, which was improved by JWX-A0108. All of these effects of JWX-A0108 were reversed by MLA (α7 nAChR specific blocker). Taken together, the results reveal that JWX-A0108 improved the learning and memory function of APP/PS1 mice by enhancing the anti-inflammatory effect of the endogenous choline system through α7 nAChR, inhibited the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting IκB phosphorylation, and ultimately inhibited inflammatory responses.
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Abstract
Neurological and immunological signals constitute an extensive regulatory network in our body that maintains physiology and homeostasis. The cholinergic system plays a significant role in neuroimmune communication, transmitting information regarding the peripheral immune status to the central nervous system (CNS) and vice versa. The cholinergic system includes the neurotransmitter\ molecule, acetylcholine (ACh), cholinergic receptors (AChRs), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. These molecules are involved in regulating immune response and playing a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis. Most innate and adaptive immune cells respond to neuronal inputs by releasing or expressing these molecules on their surfaces. Dysregulation of this neuroimmune communication may lead to several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Several agonists, antagonists, and inhibitors have been developed to target the cholinergic system to control inflammation in different tissues. This review discusses how various molecules of the neuronal and non-neuronal cholinergic system (NNCS) interact with the immune cells. What are the agonists and antagonists that alter the cholinergic system, and how are these molecules modulate inflammation and immunity. Understanding the various functions of pharmacological molecules could help in designing better strategies to control inflammation and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrita Halder
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Girdhari Lal
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Tolerance, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
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34
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Chu C, Parkhurst CN, Zhang W, Zhou L, Yano H, Arifuzzaman M, Artis D. The ChAT-acetylcholine pathway promotes group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses and anti-helminth immunity. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:6/57/eabe3218. [PMID: 33674322 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abe3218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) reside in multiple tissues, including lymphoid organs and barrier surfaces, and secrete type 2 cytokines including interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-9, and IL-13. These cells participate in multiple physiological processes including allergic inflammation, tissue repair, metabolic homeostasis, and host defense against helminth infections. Recent studies indicate that neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can play an important role in regulating ILC2 responses; however, the mechanisms that underlie these processes in vivo remain incompletely defined. Here, we identify that activated ILC2s up-regulate choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine (ACh)-after infection with the helminth parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or treatment with alarmins or cytokines including IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). ILC2s also express acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), and ACh administration promotes ILC2 cytokine production and elicits expulsion of helminth infection. In accordance with this, ChAT deficiency in ILC2s leads to defective ILC2 responses and impaired immunity against helminth infection. Together, these results reveal a previously unrecognized role of the ChAT-ACh pathway in promoting type 2 innate immunity to helminth infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coco Chu
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Christopher N Parkhurst
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Wen Zhang
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lei Zhou
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Hiroshi Yano
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Mohammad Arifuzzaman
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - David Artis
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA. .,Friedman Center for Nutrition and Inflammation, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
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35
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Ximenis M, Mulet J, Sala S, Sala F, Criado M, González-Muñiz R, Pérez de Vega MJ. Natural Polyhydroxy Flavonoids, Curcuminoids, and Synthetic Curcumin Analogs as α7 nAChRs Positive Allosteric Modulators. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:973. [PMID: 33478095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is a ligand-gated ion channel that is involved in cognition disorders, schizophrenia, pain, and inflammation. Allosteric modulation of this receptor might be advantageous to reduce the toxicity in comparison with full agonists. Our previous results obtained with some hydroxy-chalcones, which were identified as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7 nAChR, prompted us to evaluate the potential of some structurally related naturally occurring flavonoids and curcuminoids and some synthetic curcumin analogues, with the aim of identifying new allosteric modulators of the α7 nAChR. Biological evaluation showed that phloretin, demethoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxicurcuming behave as PAMs of α7 nAChR. In addition, some new curcumin derivatives were able to enhance the signal evoked by ACh; the activity values found for the tetrahydrocurcuminoid analog 23 were especially promising.
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36
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Vignaux PA, Minerali E, Lane TR, Foil DH, Madrid PB, Puhl AC, Ekins S. The Antiviral Drug Tilorone Is a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Acetylcholinesterase. Chem Res Toxicol 2021; 34:1296-1307. [PMID: 33400519 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important drug target in neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson's disease dementia as well as for other conditions like myasthenia gravis and anticholinergic poisoning. In this study, we have used a combination of high-throughput screening, machine learning, and docking to identify new inhibitors of this enzyme. Bayesian machine learning models were generated with literature data from ChEMBL for eel and human AChE inhibitors as well as butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors (BuChE) and compared with other machine learning methods. High-throughput screens for the eel AChE inhibitor model identified several molecules including tilorone, an antiviral drug that is well-established outside of the United States, as a newly identified nanomolar AChE inhibitor. We have described how tilorone inhibits both eel and human AChE with IC50's of 14.4 nM and 64.4 nM, respectively, but does not inhibit the closely related BuChE IC50 > 50 μM. We have docked tilorone into the human AChE crystal structure and shown that this selectivity is likely due to the reliance on a specific interaction with a hydrophobic residue in the peripheral anionic site of AChE that is absent in BuChE. We also conducted a pharmacological safety profile (SafetyScreen44) and kinase selectivity screen (SelectScreen) that showed tilorone (1 μM) only inhibited AChE out of 44 toxicology target proteins evaluated and did not appreciably inhibit any of the 485 kinases tested. This study suggests there may be a potential role for repurposing tilorone or its derivatives in conditions that benefit from AChE inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Vignaux
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Eni Minerali
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Thomas R Lane
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Daniel H Foil
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Peter B Madrid
- SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Ana C Puhl
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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McDaid J, Mustaly-Kalimi S, Stutzmann GE. Ca 2+ Dyshomeostasis Disrupts Neuronal and Synaptic Function in Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2020; 9:E2655. [PMID: 33321866 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ homeostasis is essential for multiple neuronal functions and thus, Ca2+ dyshomeostasis can lead to widespread impairment of cellular and synaptic signaling, subsequently contributing to dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). While numerous studies implicate Ca2+ mishandling in AD, the cellular basis for loss of cognitive function remains under investigation. The process of synaptic degradation and degeneration in AD is slow, and constitutes a series of maladaptive processes each contributing to a further destabilization of the Ca2+ homeostatic machinery. Ca2+ homeostasis involves precise maintenance of cytosolic Ca2+ levels, despite extracellular influx via multiple synaptic Ca2+ channels, and intracellular release via organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via ryanodine receptor (RyRs) and IP3R, lysosomes via transient receptor potential mucolipin channel (TRPML) and two pore channel (TPC), and mitochondria via the permeability transition pore (PTP). Furthermore, functioning of these organelles relies upon regulated inter-organelle Ca2+ handling, with aberrant signaling resulting in synaptic dysfunction, protein mishandling, oxidative stress and defective bioenergetics, among other consequences consistent with AD. With few effective treatments currently available to mitigate AD, the past few years have seen a significant increase in the study of synaptic and cellular mechanisms as drivers of AD, including Ca2+ dyshomeostasis. Here, we detail some key findings and discuss implications for future AD treatments.
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Uwada J, Nakazawa H, Mikami D, Islam MS, Muramatsu I, Taniguchi T, Yazawa T. PNU-120596, a positive allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, directly inhibits p38 MAPK. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 182:114297. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Choueiry J, Blais CM, Shah D, Smith D, Fisher D, Illivitsky V, Knott V. CDP-choline and galantamine, a personalized α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeted treatment for the modulation of speech MMN indexed deviance detection in healthy volunteers: a pilot study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3665-3687. [PMID: 32851421 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05646-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The combination of CDP-choline, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) agonist, with galantamine, a positive allosteric modulator of nAChRs, is believed to counter the fast desensitization rate of the α7 nAChRs and may be of interest for schizophrenia (SCZ) patients. Beyond the positive and negative clinical symptoms, deficits in early auditory prediction-error processes are also observed in SCZ. Regularity violations activate these mechanisms that are indexed by electroencephalography-derived mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to auditory deviance. OBJECTIVES/METHODS This pilot study in thirty-three healthy humans assessed the effects of an optimized α7 nAChR strategy combining CDP-choline (500 mg) with galantamine (16 mg) on speech-elicited MMN amplitude and latency measures. The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and counterbalanced design with a baseline stratification method allowed for assessment of individual response differences. RESULTS Increases in MMN generation mediated by the acute CDP-choline/galantamine treatment in individuals with low baseline MMN amplitude for frequency, intensity, duration, and vowel deviants were revealed. CONCLUSIONS These results, observed primarily at temporal recording sites overlying the auditory cortex, implicate α7 nAChRs in the enhancement of speech deviance detection and warrant further examination with respect to dysfunctional auditory deviance processing in individuals with SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Choueiry
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1Z 7K4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Crystal M Blais
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dhrasti Shah
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Vadim Illivitsky
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Verner Knott
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Gamage R, Wagnon I, Rossetti I, Childs R, Niedermayer G, Chesworth R, Gyengesi E. Cholinergic Modulation of Glial Function During Aging and Chronic Neuroinflammation. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:577912. [PMID: 33192323 PMCID: PMC7594524 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.577912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex biological process that increases the risk of age-related cognitive degenerative diseases such as dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Even non-pathological aging of the brain can involve chronic oxidative and inflammatory stress, which disrupts the communication and balance between the brain and the immune system. There has been an increasingly strong connection found between chronic neuroinflammation and impaired memory, especially in AD. While microglia and astrocytes, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), exerting beneficial effects during the acute inflammatory phase, during chronic neuroinflammation they can become more detrimental. Central cholinergic circuits are involved in maintaining normal cognitive function and regulating signaling within the entire cerebral cortex. While neuronal-glial cholinergic signaling is anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative, central cholinergic neuronal degeneration is implicated in impaired learning, memory sleep regulation, and attention. Although there is evidence of cholinergic involvement in memory, fewer studies have linked the cholinergic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant pathways to memory processes during development, normal aging, and disease states. This review will summarize the current knowledge of cholinergic effects on microglia and astroglia, and their role in both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant mechanisms, concerning normal aging and chronic neuroinflammation. We provided details on how stimulation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α7nACh) receptors can be neuroprotective by increasing amyloid-β phagocytosis, decreasing inflammation and reducing oxidative stress by promoting the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways and decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. There is also evidence for astroglial α7nACh receptor stimulation mediating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway and activating the Nrf2 pathway respectively. We conclude that targeting cholinergic glial interactions between neurons and glial cells via α7nACh receptors could regulate neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, relevant to the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Gamage
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ingrid Wagnon
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ilaria Rossetti
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ryan Childs
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Garry Niedermayer
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Erika Gyengesi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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El Nebrisi E, Javed H, Ojha SK, Oz M, Shehab S. Neuroprotective Effect of Curcumin on the Nigrostriatal Pathway in a 6-Hydroxydopmine-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease is Mediated by α7-Nicotinic Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197329. [PMID: 33023066 PMCID: PMC7583812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. Most of the existing pharmacological approaches in PD consider replenishing striatal dopamine. It has been reported that activation of the cholinergic system has neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons, and human α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) stimulation may offer a potential therapeutic approach in PD. Our recent in-vitro studies demonstrated that curcumin causes significant potentiation of the function of α7-nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In this study, we conducted in vivo experiments to assess the role of the α7-nAChR on the protective effects of curcumin in an animal model of PD. Intra-striatal injection of 6-hydroxydopmine (6-OHDA) was used to induce Parkinsonism in rats. Our results demonstrated that intragastric curcumin treatment (200 mg/kg) significantly improved the abnormal motor behavior and offered neuroprotection against the reduction of dopaminergic neurons, as determined by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra and caudoputamen. The intraperitoneal administration of the α7-nAChR-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine (1 µg/kg) reversed the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in terms of both animal behavior and TH immunoreactivity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that curcumin has a neuroprotective effect in a 6-hydroxydopmine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD via an α7-nAChR-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam El Nebrisi
- Department of Pharmacology, Dubai Medical College, Dubai Medical University, Dubai 20170, UAE;
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE;
| | - Hayate Javed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE;
| | - Shreesh K Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE; (S.K.O.); (M.O.)
| | - Murat Oz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE; (S.K.O.); (M.O.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait 24923, Kuwait
| | - Safa Shehab
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain PO BOX 17666, UAE;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-3-7137492
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Nielsen BE, Stabile S, Vitale C, Bouzat C. Design, Synthesis, and Functional Evaluation of a Novel Series of Phosphonate-Functionalized 1,2,3-Triazoles as Positive Allosteric Modulators of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2688-2704. [PMID: 32786318 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel widely distributed in the central nervous system, mainly in the hippocampus and cortex. The enhancement of its activity by positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative disorders. With the aim of developing novel scaffolds with PAM activity, we designed and synthesized a series of phosphonate-functionalized 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles using supported copper nanoparticles as the cycloaddition reaction catalyst and evaluated their activity on α7 receptors by single-channel and whole-cell recordings. We identified several triazole derivatives that displayed PAM activity, with the compound functionalized with the methyl phosphonate group being the most efficacious one. At the macroscopic level, α7 potentiation was evidenced as an increase of the maximal currents elicited by acetylcholine with minimal effects on desensitization, recapitulating the actions of type I PAMs. At the single-channel level, the active compounds did not affect channel amplitude but significantly increased the duration of channel openings and activation episodes. By using chimeric and mutant α7 receptors, we demonstrated that the new α7 PAMs share transmembrane structural determinants of potentiation with other chemically nonrelated PAMs. To gain further insight into the chemical basis of potentiation, we applied structure-activity relationship strategies involving modification of the chain length, inversion of substituent positions in the triazole ring, and changes in the aromatic nucleus. Our findings revealed that the phosphonate-functionalized 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole is a novel pharmacophore for the development of therapeutic agents for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders associated with cholinergic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Elizabeth Nielsen
- Departamento de Biologı́a, Bioquı́mica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquı́micas de Bahı́a Blanca (INIBIBB), Departamento de Biologı́a, Bioquı́mica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientı́ficas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Stabile
- Instituto de Quı́mica del Sur (INQUISUR), Departamento de Quı́mica, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian Vitale
- Instituto de Quı́mica del Sur (INQUISUR), Departamento de Quı́mica, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Departamento de Biologı́a, Bioquı́mica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquı́micas de Bahı́a Blanca (INIBIBB), Departamento de Biologı́a, Bioquı́mica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientı́ficas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Szigeti K, Ihnatovych I, Birkaya B, Chen Z, Ouf A, Indurthi DC, Bard JE, Kann J, Adams A, Chaves L, Sule N, Reisch JS, Pavlik V, Benedict RHB, Auerbach A, Wilding G. CHRFAM7A: A human specific fusion gene, accounts for the translational gap for cholinergic strategies in Alzheimer's disease. EBioMedicine 2020; 59:102892. [PMID: 32818803 PMCID: PMC7452451 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cholinergic neuronal loss is one of the hallmarks of AD related neurodegeneration; however, preclinical promise of α7 nAChR drugs failed to translate into humans. CHRFAM7A, a uniquely human fusion gene, is a negative regulator of α7 nAChR and was unaccounted for in preclinical models. Methods Molecular methods: Function of CHRFAM7A alleles was studied in vitro in two disease relevant phenotypic readouts: electrophysiology and Aβ uptake. Genome edited human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) were used as a model system with the human context. Double blind pharmacogenetic study: We performed double-blind pharmacogenetic analysis on the effect of AChEI therapy based on CHRFAM7A carrier status in two paradigms: response to drug initiation and DMT effect. Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was used as outcome measure. Change in MMSE score from baseline was compared by 2-tailed T-test. Longitudinal analysis of clinical outcome (MMSE) was performed using a fitted general linear model, based on an assumed autoregressive covariance structure. Model independent variables included age, sex, and medication regimen at the time of the first utilized outcome measure (AChEI alone or AChEI plus memantine), APOE4 carrier status (0, 1 or 2 alleles as categorical variables) and CHRFAM7A genotype. Findings The direct and inverted alleles have distinct phenotypes. Functional CHRFAM7A allele classifies the population as 25% non-carriers and 75% carriers. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models α7 nAChR mediated Aβ neurotoxicity. Pharmacological readout translates into both first exposure (p = 0.037) and disease modifying effect (p = 0.0048) in two double blind pharmacogenetic studies. Interpretation CHRFAM7A accounts for the translational gap in cholinergic strategies in AD. Clinical trials not accounting for this uniquely human genetic factor may have rejected drug candidates that would benefit 25% of AD. Reanalyses of the completed trials using this pharmacogenetic paradigm may identify effective therapy. Funding:
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Szigeti
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Ivanna Ihnatovych
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Barbara Birkaya
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Aya Ouf
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Dinesh C Indurthi
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jonathan E Bard
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Julien Kann
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Alexandrea Adams
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Lee Chaves
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Norbert Sule
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Joan S Reisch
- UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Valory Pavlik
- Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plz, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ralph H B Benedict
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Anthony Auerbach
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Gregory Wilding
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
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Moriwaki Y, Kubo N, Watanabe M, Asano S, Shinoda T, Sugino T, Ichikawa D, Tsuji S, Kato F, Misawa H. Endogenous neurotoxin-like protein Ly6H inhibits alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor currents at the plasma membrane. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11996. [PMID: 32686737 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68947-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in the central nervous system and regarded as potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Yet, despite the assumed pathophysiological importance of the α7 nAChR, molecular physiological characterization remains poorly advanced because α7 nAChR cannot be properly folded and sorted to the plasma membranes in most mammalian cell lines, thus preventing the analyses in heterologous expression system. Recently, ER-resident membrane protein NACHO was discovered as a strong chaperone for the functional expression of α7 nAChR in non-permissive cells. Ly6H, a brain-enriched GPI-anchored neurotoxin-like protein, was reported as a novel modulator regulating intracellular trafficking of α7 nAChR. In this study, we established cell lines that stably and robustly express surface α7 nAChR by introducing α7 nAChR, Ric-3, and NACHO cDNA into HEK293 cells (Triple α7 nAChR/RIC-3/NACHO cells; TARO cells), and re-evaluated the function of Ly6H. We report here that Ly6H binds with α7 nAChRs on the cell membrane and modulates the channel activity without affecting intracellular trafficking of α7 nAChR.
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Antonio-Tolentino K, Hopkins CR. Selective α7 nicotinic receptor agonists and positive allosteric modulators for the treatment of schizophrenia - a review. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:603-610. [PMID: 32396418 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1764938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) partial agonists, agonists, and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been in development for over a decade. The initial candidates were in clinical trials for a wide variety of diseases including schizophrenia, but there has yet to be a successful compound to make it to the market for any disorder. Although difficult to assess the cause of all the clinical failures, the lack of efficacy played a major role. The development of more selective compounds, may bring a successful compound to long-suffering schizophrenia patients. AREAS COVERED This article examines investigational agonists and positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic receptor in preclinical studies as well as clinical trials. Our search included the use of SciFinder, Google, and clinicaltrials.gov with search dates of 2015 to the present. EXPERT OPINION Researchers must rethink their approach should look more closely at the selectivity of new compounds and how to tackle the translational gap. Perhaps new positive allosteric modulators that can help minimize receptor desensitization and selectivity profiles can be a path forward for α7 nAChRs in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Antonio-Tolentino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
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46
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Stokes L, Bidula S, Bibič L, Allum E. To Inhibit or Enhance? Is There a Benefit to Positive Allosteric Modulation of P2X Receptors? Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:627. [PMID: 32477120 PMCID: PMC7235284 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The family of ligand-gated ion channels known as P2X receptors were discovered several decades ago. Since the cloning of the seven P2X receptors (P2X1-P2X7), a huge research effort has elucidated their roles in regulating a range of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Transgenic animals have been influential in understanding which P2X receptors could be new therapeutic targets for disease. Furthermore, understanding how inherited mutations can increase susceptibility to disorders and diseases has advanced this knowledge base. There has been an emphasis on the discovery and development of pharmacological tools to help dissect the individual roles of P2X receptors and the pharmaceutical industry has been involved in pushing forward clinical development of several lead compounds. During the discovery phase, a number of positive allosteric modulators have been described for P2X receptors and these have been useful in assigning physiological roles to receptors. This review will consider the major physiological roles of P2X1-P2X7 and discuss whether enhancement of P2X receptor activity would offer any therapeutic benefit. We will review what is known about identified compounds acting as positive allosteric modulators and the recent identification of drug binding pockets for such modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Stokes
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Bidula
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Lučka Bibič
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Allum
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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47
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Ren Z, Dong Z, Xie P, Lv J, Hu Y, Guan Z, Zhang C, Yu W. PNU282987 inhibits amyloid‑β aggregation by upregulating astrocytic endogenous αB‑crystallin and HSP‑70 via regulation of the α7AChR, PI3K/Akt/HSF‑1 signaling axis. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:201-208. [PMID: 32377707 PMCID: PMC7248489 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Abnormal aggregation of the neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is an early event in AD. The activation of astrocytic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) can inhibit Aβ aggregation; thus, the molecular mechanism between α7 nAChR activation and Aβ aggregation warrants further investigation. In the present study, Aβ oligomer levels were assessed in astrocytic cell lysates after treatment with PNU282987 (a potent agonist of α7 nAChRs) or co-treatment with LY294002, a p-Akt inhibitor. The levels of heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), and αB-crystallin (Cryab) in astrocytes treated with PNU282987 at various time-points or co-treated with methyllycaconitine (MLA), a selective α7 nAChR antagonist, as well as co-incubated with LY294002 were determined by western blotting. HSP-70 and Cryab levels were determined after HSF-1 knockdown (KD) in astrocytes. PNU282987 markedly inhibited Aβ aggregation and upregulated HSF-1, Cryab, and HSP-70 in primary astrocytes, while the PNU282987-mediated neuroprotective effect was reversed by pre-treatment with MLA or LY294002. Moreover, the HSF-1 KD in astrocytes effectively decreased Cryab, but not HSP-70 expression. HSF-1 is necessary for the upregulation of Cryab expression, but not for that of HSP-70. HSF-1 and HSP-70 have a neuroprotective effect. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of PNU282987 against Aβ aggregation was mediated by the canonical PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenkui Ren
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Zhihui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Peng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Ju Lv
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Yumei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Zhizhong Guan
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Chunlin Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
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Cieslikiewicz-Bouet M, Naldi M, Bartolini M, Pérez B, Servent D, Jean L, Aráoz R, Renard PY. Functional characterization of multifunctional ligands targeting acetylcholinesterase and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:114010. [PMID: 32360492 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cholinergic dysfunction, provoking memory loss and cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients. The cholinergic hypothesis provided over the years with molecular targets for developing palliative treatments for AD, acting on the cholinergic system, namely, acetylcholinesterase and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). In our synthetic work, we used "click-chemistry" to synthesize two Multi Target Directed Ligands (MTDLs) MB105 and MB118 carrying tacrine and quinuclidine scaffolds which are known for their anticholinesterase and α7 nAChR agonist activities, respectively. Both, MB105 and MB118, inhibit human acetylcholinesterase and human butyrylcholinesterase in the nanomolar range. Electrophysiological recordings on Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human α7 nAChR showed that MB105 and MB118 acted as partial agonists of the referred nicotinic receptor, albeit, with different potencies despite their similar structure. The different substitution at C-3 on the 2,3-disubstituted quinuclidine scaffold may account for the significantly lower potency of MB118 compared to MB105. Electrophysiological recordings also showed that the tacrine precursor MB320 behaved as a competitive antagonist of human α7 nAChR, in the micromolar range, while the quinuclidine synthetic precursor MB099 acted as a partial agonist. Taken all together, MB105 behaved as a partial agonist of α7 nAChR at concentrations where it completely inhibited human acetylcholinesterase activity paving the way for the design of novel MTDLs for palliative treatment of AD.
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Jafari Z, Kolb BE, Mohajerani MH. Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex and P50 gating in aging and alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 59:101028. [PMID: 32092463 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition plays a crucial role in many functional domains, such as cognition, emotion, and actions. Studies on cognitive aging demonstrate changes in inhibitory mechanisms are age- and pathology-related. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is the suppression of an acoustic startle reflex (ASR) to an intense stimulus when a weak prepulse stimulus precedes the startle stimulus. A reduction of PPI is thought to reflect dysfunction of sensorimotor gating which normally suppresses excessive behavioral responses to disruptive stimuli. Both human and rodent studies show age-dependent alterations of PPI of the ASR that are further compromised in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The auditory P50 gating, an index of repetition suppression, also is characterized as a putative electrophysiological biomarker of prodromal AD. This review provides the latest evidence of age- and AD-associated impairment of sensorimotor gating based upon both human and rodent studies, as well as the AD-related disruption of P50 gating in humans. It begins with a concise review of neural networks underlying PPI regulation. Then, evidence of age- and AD-related dysfunction of both PPI and P50 gating is discussed. The attentional/ emotional aspects of sensorimotor gating and the neurotransmitter mechanisms underpinning PPI and P50 gating are also reviewed. The review ends with conclusions and research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Jafari
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4 AB, Canada; Department of Basic Sciences in Rehabilitation, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Bryan E Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4 AB, Canada.
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4 AB, Canada.
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50
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Vulfius CA, Lebedev DS, Kryukova EV, Kudryavtsev DS, Kolbaev SN, Utkin YN, Tsetlin VI. PNU-120596, a positive allosteric modulator of mammalian α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, is a negative modulator of ligand-gated chloride-selective channels of the gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis. J Neurochem 2020; 155:274-284. [PMID: 32248535 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory α7 neuronal nicotinic receptors (nAChR) are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous and immune systems and are important for learning, memory, and immune response regulation. Specific α7 nAChR ligands, including positive allosteric modulators are promising to treat cognitive disorders, inflammatory processes, and pain. One of them, PNU-120596, highly increased the neuron response to α7 agonists and retarded desensitization, showing selectivity for α7 as compared to heteromeric nAChRs, but was not examined at the inhibitory ligand-gated channels. We studied PNU-120596 action on anion-conducting channels using voltage-clamp techniques: it slightly potentiated the response of human glycine receptors expressed in PC12 cells, of rat GABAA receptors in cerebellar Purkinje cells and mouse GABAA Rs heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. On the contrary, PNU-120596 exerted an inhibitory effect on the receptors mediating anion currents in Lymnaea stagnalis neurons: two nAChR subtypes, GABA and glutamate receptors. Acceleration of the current decay, contrary to slowing down desensitization in mammalian α7 nAChR, was observed in L. stagnalis neurons predominantly expressing one of the two nAChR subtypes. Thus, PNU-120596 effect on these anion-selective nAChRs was just opposite to the action on the mammalian cation-selective α7 nAChRs. A comparison of PNU-120596 molecule docked to the models of transmembrane domains of the human α7 AChR and two subunits of L. stagnalis nAChR demonstrated some differences in contacts with the amino acid residues important for PNU-120596 action on the α7 nAChR. Thus, our results show that PNU-120596 action depends on a particular subtype of these Cys-loop receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Vulfius
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobilogy, Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino Moscow region, Russia
| | - Dmitrii S Lebedev
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena V Kryukova
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis S Kudryavtsev
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Yuri N Utkin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor I Tsetlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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