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Nelissen E, Schepers M, Ponsaerts L, Foulquier S, Bronckaers A, Vanmierlo T, Sandner P, Prickaerts J. Soluble guanylyl cyclase: A novel target for the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment? Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106970. [PMID: 37884069 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106970] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a vascular component. Pathologically, it involves decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF), white matter lesions, endothelial dysfunction, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairments. Molecularly, oxidative stress and inflammation are two of the major underlying mechanisms. Nitric oxide (NO) physiologically stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to induce cGMP production. However, under pathological conditions, NO seems to be at the basis of oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to a decrease in sGC activity and expression. The native form of sGC needs a ferrous heme group bound in order to be sensitive to NO (Fe(II)sGC). Oxidation of sGC leads to the conversion of ferrous to ferric heme (Fe(III)sGC) and even heme-loss (apo-sGC). Both Fe(III)sGC and apo-sGC are insensitive to NO, and the enzyme is therefore inactive. sGC activity can be enhanced either by targeting the NO-sensitive native sGC (Fe(II)sGC), or the inactive, oxidized sGC (Fe(III)sGC) and the heme-free apo-sGC. For this purpose, sGC stimulators acting on Fe(II)sGC and sGC activators acting on Fe(III)sGC/apo-sGC have been developed. These sGC agonists have shown their efficacy in cardiovascular diseases by restoring the physiological and protective functions of the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, including the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, and improvement of vascular functioning. Yet, only very little research has been performed within the cerebrovascular system and VCI pathology when focusing on sGC modulation and its potential protective mechanisms on vascular and neural function. Therefore, within this review, the potential of sGC as a target for treating VCI is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Laura Ponsaerts
- Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Cardio & Organ Systems (COS), Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Foulquier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Annelies Bronckaers
- Department of Cardio & Organ Systems (COS), Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
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2
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Pauls MMH, Fish J, Binnie LR, Benjamin P, Betteridge S, Clarke B, Dhillon MPK, Ghatala R, Hainsworth FAH, Howe FA, Khan U, Kruuse C, Madigan JB, Moynihan B, Patel B, Pereira AC, Rostrup E, Shtaya ABY, Spilling CA, Trippier S, Williams R, Young R, Barrick TR, Isaacs JD, Hainsworth AH. Testing the cognitive effects of tadalafil. Neuropsychological secondary outcomes from the PASTIS trial. Cereb Circ Cogn Behav 2023; 5:100187. [PMID: 37811523 PMCID: PMC10550803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2023.100187] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major cause of cognitive impairment in older people. As secondary endpoints in a phase-2 randomised clinical trial, we tested the effects of single administration of a widely-used PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, on cognitive performance in older people with SVD. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, participants received tadalafil (20 mg) and placebo on two visits ≥ 7 days apart (randomised to order of treatment). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) was administered at baseline, alongside a measure to estimate optimal intellectual ability (Test of Premorbid Function). Then, before and after treatment, a battery of neuropsychological tests was administered, assessing aspects of attention, information processing speed, working memory and executive function. Sixty-five participants were recruited and 55 completed the protocol (N = 55, age: 66.8 (8.6) years, range 52-87; 15/40 female/male). Median MOCA score was 26 (IQR: 23, 27], range 15-30). No significant treatment effects were seen in any of the neuropsychological tests. There was a trend towards improved performance on Digit Span Forward (treatment effect 0.37, C.I. 0.01, 0.72; P = 0.0521). We did not identify significant treatment effects of single-administration tadalafil on neuropsychological performance in older people with SVD. The trend observed on Digit Span Forward may help to inform future studies. Clinical trial registration http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00123456, https://eudract.ema.europa.eu. Unique identifier: 2015-001,235-20NCT00123456.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde MH Pauls
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jessica Fish
- Neuropsychology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Lauren R Binnie
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Philip Benjamin
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Neuroradiology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Shai Betteridge
- Neuropsychology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Brian Clarke
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Rita Ghatala
- South London Stroke Research Network, London, UK
| | | | - Franklyn A Howe
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Usman Khan
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Christina Kruuse
- Department of Neurology and Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Denmark
| | - Jeremy B Madigan
- Neuroradiology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Barry Moynihan
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bhavini Patel
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anthony C Pereira
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Egill Rostrup
- Mental Health Centre, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Anan BY Shtaya
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Catherine A Spilling
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | | | | | - Robin Young
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Thomas R Barrick
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Jeremy D Isaacs
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Atticus H Hainsworth
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Wang L, Tan Y, Wang H, Yu XD, Mo Y, Reilly J, He Z, Shu X. Urocanic acid facilitates acquisition of object recognition memory in mice. Physiol Behav 2023; 266:114201. [PMID: 37072048 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114201] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Trans-urocanic acid (UCA), an isomer of cis-UCA that is located in the skin, has recently been reported to have a role in short-term working memory and in the consolidation, reconsolidation and retrieval of long-term memory. However, its effect on memory acquisition remains unclear. In the present study, the effect of UCA on short-term and long-term memory acquisition in mice was investigated using novel object recognition (NOR) and object location recognition (OLR) protocols that each involved three stages: habituation, sampling and testing. UCA was intraperitoneally injected 0.5 h pre-sampling, and the discrimination index during subsequent testing was determined in NOR and OLR tasks. The results showed that 10 mg/kg UCA significantly facilitated short-term and long-term memory acquisition in both types of tasks. Furthermore, 30 mg/kg UCA significantly facilitated long-term memory acquisition in the NOR task and tended to facilitate long-term memory acquisition in the OLR tasks but did not facilitate short-term memory acquisition in either task. Additionally, the enhancing role of UCA on memory acquisition was not dependent on changes of nonspecific responses, e.g. exploratory behavior and locomotor activity. The current study suggests that UCA facilitates short-term and long-term recognition memory acquisition, which further extends the functional role of UCA in the brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, P.R. China
| | - Yinna Tan
- Anesthesiology department, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421000, P.R
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, P.R. China
| | - Xu-Dong Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, P.R. China
| | - Yanxin Mo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, P.R. China
| | - James Reilly
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiming He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, P.R. China
| | - Xinhua Shu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, P.R. China; Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, United Kingdom; Department of Vision Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, United Kingdom.
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Bolsius YG, Heckman PRA, Paraciani C, Wilhelm S, Raven F, Meijer EL, Kas MJH, Ramirez S, Meerlo P, Havekes R. Recovering object-location memories after sleep deprivation-induced amnesia. Curr Biol 2023; 33:298-308.e5. [PMID: 36577400 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.006] [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: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that sleep deprivation after learning impairs hippocampal memory processes and can cause amnesia. It is unknown, however, whether sleep deprivation leads to the loss of information or merely the suboptimal storage of information that is difficult to retrieve. Here, we show that hippocampal object-location memories formed under sleep deprivation conditions can be successfully retrieved multiple days following training, using optogenetic dentate gyrus (DG) memory engram activation or treatment with the clinically approved phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast. Moreover, the combination of optogenetic DG memory engram activation and roflumilast treatment, 2 days following training and sleep deprivation, made the memory more persistently accessible for retrieval even several days later (i.e., without further optogenetic or pharmacological manipulation). Altogether, our studies in mice demonstrate that sleep deprivation does not necessarily cause memory loss but instead leads to the suboptimal storage of information that cannot be retrieved without drug treatment or optogenetic stimulation. Furthermore, our findings suggest that object-location memories, consolidated under sleep deprivation conditions and thought to be lost, can be made accessible again several days after the learning and sleep deprivation episode, using the clinically approved PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youri G Bolsius
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pim R A Heckman
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Camilla Paraciani
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sophia Wilhelm
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Raven
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elroy L Meijer
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Steve Ramirez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Peter Meerlo
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Nelissen E, van Hagen BTJ, Argyrousi EK, van Goethem NP, Heckman PRA, Paes D, Mulder-Jongen DAJ, Ramaekers JG, Blokland A, Schmidt HHHW, Prickaerts J. Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat improves spatial memory in mice via peripheral mechanisms. Neurosci Lett 2022; 788:136840. [PMID: 35985509 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) - cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling is important for healthy memory function and a healthy vascular system. Targeting sGC-cGMP signalling can therefore be a potential strategy to enhance memory processes. sGC can be targeted by using agonists, such as sGC stimulator riociguat. Therefore, this study aimed to target sGC using riociguat to investigate its acute effects on memory function and neuronal plasticity in mice. The effects of riociguat on long-term memory and a biperiden-induced memory deficit model for assessing short-term memory were tested in the object location task, and working memory was tested in the Y-maze continuous alternation task. Pharmacokinetic measurements were performed within brain tissue of mice, and hippocampal plasticity measures were assessed using western blotting. Acute oral administration with a low dose of 0.03 mg/kg riociguat was able to enhance working-, short-, and long-term spatial memory. Under cerebral vasoconstriction higher doses of riociguat were still effective on memory. Pharmacokinetic measurements revealed poor brain penetration of riociguat and its metabolite M-1. Increased activation of VASP was found, while no effects were found on other memory-related hippocampal plasticity measures. Memory enhancing effects of riociguat are most likely regulated by vascular peripheral effects on cGMP signalling. Yet, further research is needed to investigate the possible contribution of hemodynamic or metabolic effects of sGC stimulators on memory performance.
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Nelissen E, Possemis N, Van Goethem NP, Schepers M, Mulder-Jongen DAJ, Dietz L, Janssen W, Gerisch M, Hüser J, Sandner P, Vanmierlo T, Prickaerts J. The sGC stimulator BAY-747 and activator runcaciguat can enhance memory in vivo via differential hippocampal plasticity mechanisms. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3589. [PMID: 35246566 PMCID: PMC8897390 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07391-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) requires a heme-group bound in order to produce cGMP, a second messenger involved in memory formation, while heme-free sGC is inactive. Two compound classes can increase sGC activity: sGC stimulators acting on heme-bound sGC, and sGC activators acting on heme-free sGC. In this rodent study, we investigated the potential of the novel brain-penetrant sGC stimulator BAY-747 and sGC activator runcaciguat to enhance long-term memory and attenuate short-term memory deficits induced by the NOS-inhibitor L-NAME. Furthermore, hippocampal plasticity mechanisms were investigated. In vivo, oral administration of BAY-747 and runcaciguat to male Wistar rats enhanced memory acquisition in the object location task (OLT), while only BAY-747 reversed L-NAME induced memory impairments in the OLT. Ex vivo, both BAY-747 and runcaciguat enhanced hippocampal GluA1-containing AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking in a chemical LTP model for memory acquisition using acute mouse hippocampal slices. In vivo only runcaciguat acted on the glutamatergic AMPAR system in hippocampal memory acquisition processes, while for BAY-747 the effects on the neurotrophic system were more pronounced as measured in male mice using western blot. Altogether this study shows that sGC stimulators and activators have potential as cognition enhancers, while the underlying plasticity mechanisms may determine disease-specific effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Nina Possemis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nick P Van Goethem
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Neuro-Immune Connect and Repair Lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Danielle A J Mulder-Jongen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Dietz
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Wiebke Janssen
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Michael Gerisch
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jörg Hüser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Neuro-Immune Connect and Repair Lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Nelissen E, Argyrousi EK, Van Goethem NP, Zhao F, Hines CDG, Swaminath G, Gerisch M, Hueser J, Sandner P, Prickaerts J. Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Vericiguat Enhances Long-Term Memory in Rats without Altering Cerebral Blood Volume. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1047. [PMID: 34440254 PMCID: PMC8393324 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081047] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is characterized by impairments in cerebral blood flow (CBF), endothelial function and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. These processes are all physiologically regulated by the nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-cGMP signaling pathway. Additionally, cGMP signaling plays an important role in long-term potentiation (LTP) underlying memory formation. Therefore, targeting the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway may be a therapeutic strategy for treating VCI. Hence, in this study we investigated whether sGC stimulator vericiguat has potential as a cognitive enhancer. The effects of vericiguat on long-term memory were measured in rats using an object location task. Due to the low brain-penetrance of vericiguat found in this study, it was investigated whether in the absence of BBB limitations, vericiguat enhanced hippocampal plasticity using an ex vivo memory acquisition-like chemical LTP model. Finally, peripheral effects were measured by means of blood pressure and cerebral blood volume. Vericiguat successfully enhanced long-term memory and increased hippocampal plasticity via enhanced translocation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors to the cell membrane, while blood pressure and cerebral blood volume were unaltered. Although the memory enhancing effects in this study are likely due to peripheral effects on the cerebral microvasculature, sGC stimulation may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating VCI, especially when BBB integrity is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Elentina K. Argyrousi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Nick P. Van Goethem
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Fuqiang Zhao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (F.Z.); (C.D.G.H.)
| | | | | | - Michael Gerisch
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Joerg Hueser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Pharmacology, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
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8
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Paes D, Xie K, Wheeler DG, Zook D, Prickaerts J, Peters M. Inhibition of PDE2 and PDE4 synergistically improves memory consolidation processes. Neuropharmacology 2021; 184:108414. [PMID: 33249120 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are the only enzymes that degrade cAMP and cGMP which are second messengers crucial to memory consolidation. Different PDE inhibitors have been developed and tested for their memory-enhancing potential, but the occurrence of side effects has hampered clinical progression. As separate inhibition of the PDE2 and PDE4 enzyme family has been shown to enhance memory, we investigated whether concurrent treatment with a PDE2 and PDE4 inhibitor can have synergistic effects on memory consolidation processes. We found that combined administration of PF-999 (PDE2 inhibitor) and roflumilast (PDE4 inhibitor) increases the phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 and induces CRE-mediated gene expression. Moreover, when combined sub-effective and effective doses of PF-999 and roflumilast were administered after learning, time-dependent forgetting was abolished in an object location memory task. Pharmacokinetic assessment indicated that combined treatment does not alter exposure of the individual compounds. Taken together, these findings suggest that combined PDE2 and PDE4 inhibition has synergistic effects on memory consolidation processes at sub-effective doses, which could therefore provide a therapeutic strategy with an improved safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Paes
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229, ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Keqiang Xie
- In Vitro Pharmacology, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA
| | - Damian G Wheeler
- Target Discovery & Behavioral Pharmacology, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA
| | - Douglas Zook
- DMPK, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229, ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Peters
- Target Discovery & Behavioral Pharmacology, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA; Neurobiology and Behavior & Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California Irvine, 213 Qureshey Research Lab, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Rombaut B, Kessels S, Schepers M, Tiane A, Paes D, Solomina Y, Piccart E, Hove DVD, Brône B, Prickaerts J, Vanmierlo T. PDE inhibition in distinct cell types to reclaim the balance of synaptic plasticity. Theranostics 2021; 11:2080-2097. [PMID: 33500712 PMCID: PMC7797685 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapses are the functional units of the brain. They form specific contact points that drive neuronal communication and are highly plastic in their strength, density, and shape. A carefully orchestrated balance between synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning, i.e., the elimination of weak or redundant synapses, ensures adequate synaptic density. An imbalance between these two processes lies at the basis of multiple neuropathologies. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of glia-neuron interactions in the synaptic unit, emphasized by glial phagocytosis of synapses and local excretion of inflammatory mediators. These findings warrant a closer look into the molecular basis of cell-signaling pathways in the different brain cells that are related to synaptic plasticity. In neurons, intracellular second messengers, such as cyclic guanosine or adenosine monophosphate (cGMP and cAMP, respectively), are known mediators of synaptic homeostasis and plasticity. Increased levels of these second messengers in glial cells slow down inflammation and neurodegenerative processes. These multi-faceted effects provide the opportunity to counteract excessive synapse loss by targeting cGMP and cAMP pathways in multiple cell types. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are specialized degraders of these second messengers, rendering them attractive targets to combat the detrimental effects of neurological disorders. Cellular and subcellular compartmentalization of the specific isoforms of PDEs leads to divergent downstream effects for these enzymes in the various central nervous system resident cell types. This review provides a detailed overview on the role of PDEs and their inhibition in the context of glia-neuron interactions in different neuropathologies characterized by synapse loss. In doing so, it provides a framework to support future research towards finding combinational therapy for specific neuropathologies.
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Heckman PRA, Roig Kuhn F, Raven F, Bolsius YG, Prickaerts J, Meerlo P, Havekes R. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors roflumilast and vardenafil prevent sleep deprivation-induced deficits in spatial pattern separation. Synapse 2020; 74:e22150. [PMID: 32056276 PMCID: PMC9285343 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22150] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to impair hippocampus‐dependent memory processes, in part by stimulating the phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. In the present study, we assessed in mice whether SD also affects spatial pattern separation, a cognitive process that specifically requires the dentate gyrus (DG) subregion of the hippocampus. Adult male mice were trained in an object pattern separation (OPS) task in the middle of the light phase and then tested 24 hr thereafter. In total, we conducted three studies using the OPS task. In the first study, we validated the occurrence of pattern separation and tested the effects of SD. We found that 6 hr of SD during the first half of the light phase directly preceding the test trial impaired the spatial pattern separation performance. As a next step, we assessed in two consecutive studies whether the observed SD‐induced performance deficits could be prevented by the systemic application of two different PDE inhibitors that are approved for human use. Both the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast and PDE5 inhibitor vardenafil successfully prevented SD‐induced deficits in spatial pattern separation. As a result, these PDE inhibitors have clinical potential for the prevention of memory deficits associated with loss of sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim R A Heckman
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Roig Kuhn
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Raven
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Youri G Bolsius
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Meerlo
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Zuccarello E, Acquarone E, Calcagno E, Argyrousi EK, Deng SX, Landry DW, Arancio O, Fiorito J. Development of novel phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for the therapy of Alzheimer's disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 176:113818. [PMID: 31978378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule that plays a multifactorial role in several cellular processes. In the central nervous system, the NO dual nature in neuroprotection and neurotoxicity has been explored to unveil its involvement in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A growing body of research shows that the activation of the NO signaling pathway leading to the phosphorylation of the transcription factor cyclic adenine monophosphate responsive element binding protein (CREB) (so-called NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB signaling pathway) ameliorates altered neuroplasticity and memory deficits in AD animal models. In addition to NO donors, several other pharmacological agents, such as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have been used to activate the pathway and rescue memory disorders. PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, are marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and arterial pulmonary hypertension due to their vasodilatory properties. The ability of PDE5 inhibitors to interfere with the NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB signaling pathway by increasing the levels of cGMP has prompted the hypothesis that PDE5 inhibition might be used as an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD. To this end, newly designed PDE5 inhibitors belonging to different chemical classes with improved pharmacologic profile (e.g. higher potency, improved selectivity, and blood-brain barrier penetration) have been synthesized and evaluated in several animal models of AD. In addition, recent medicinal chemistry effort has led to the development of agents concurrently acting on the PDE5 enzyme and a second target involved in AD. Both marketed and investigational PDE5 inhibitors have shown to reverse cognitive defects in young and aged wild type mice as well as transgenic mouse models of AD and tauopathy using a variety of behavioral tasks. These studies confirmed the therapeutic potential of PDE5 inhibitors as cognitive enhancers. However, clinical studies assessing cognitive functions using marketed PDE5 inhibitors have not been conclusive. Drug discovery efforts by our group and others are currently directed towards the development of novel PDE5 inhibitors tailored to AD with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. In summary, the present perspective reports an overview of the correlation between the NO signaling and AD, as well as an outline of the PDE5 inhibitors used as an alternative approach in altering the NO pathway leading to an improvement of learning and memory. The last two sections describe the preclinical and clinical evaluation of PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of AD, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current status of the AD drug discovery efforts involving PDE5 as a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Zuccarello
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Erica Acquarone
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elisa Calcagno
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elentina K Argyrousi
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shi-Xian Deng
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Donald W Landry
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Jole Fiorito
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, United States.
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