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Solar Fernandez V, Marino M, Fiocchetti M. Neuroglobin in Retinal Neurodegeneration: A Potential Target in Therapeutic Approaches. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113200. [PMID: 34831423 PMCID: PMC8621852 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal neurodegeneration affects an increasing number of people worldwide causing vision impairments and blindness, reducing quality of life, and generating a great economic challenge. Due to the complexity of the tissue, and the diversity of retinal neurodegenerative diseases in terms of etiology and clinical presentation, so far, there are no cures and only a few early pathological markers have been identified. Increasing efforts have been made to identify and potentiate endogenous protective mechanisms or to abolish detrimental stress responses to preserve retinal structure and function. The discovering of the intracellular monomeric globin neuroglobin (NGB), found at high concentration in the retina, has opened new possibilities for the treatment of retinal disease. Indeed, the NGB capability to reversibly bind oxygen and its neuroprotective function against several types of insults including oxidative stress, ischemia, and neurodegenerative conditions have raised the interest in the possible role of the globin as oxygen supplier in the retina and as a target for retinal neurodegeneration. Here, we provide the undercurrent knowledge on NGB distribution in retinal layers and the evidence about the connection between NGB level modulation and the functional outcome in terms of retinal neuroprotection to provide a novel therapeutic/preventive target for visual pathway degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Solar Fernandez
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.S.F.); (M.M.)
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism, and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Marino
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.S.F.); (M.M.)
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism, and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiocchetti
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.S.F.); (M.M.)
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism, and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-5733-6455; Fax: +39-06-5733-6321
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Ciccone L, Nencetti S, Socci S, Orlandini E. Neuroglobin and neuroprotection: the role of natural and synthetic compounds in neuroglobin pharmacological induction. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:2353-2358. [PMID: 33907006 PMCID: PMC8374583 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.300981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a 17 kDa monomeric hexa-coordinated heme protein belonging to the globin family. Ngb is mainly expressed in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system, although moderate levels of Ngb have been detected in non-nervous tissues. In the past decade, Ngb has been studied for its neuroprotective role in a large number of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, brain ischemia and hypoxia. This review discusses and summarizes the natural compounds and the small synthetic molecules capable of modulating Ngb expression that exhibits a protective role against various neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Ciccone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Simone Socci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Orlandini
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa; Research Center "E. Piaggio," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Luyckx E, Van Acker ZP, Ponsaerts P, Dewilde S. Neuroglobin Expression Models as a Tool to Study Its Function. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2019; 2019:5728129. [PMID: 31320982 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5728129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is an evolutionary conserved member of the globin family with a primary expression in neurons of which the exact functions remain elusive. A plethora of in vivo and in vitro model systems has been generated to this day to determine the functional biological roles of Ngb. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview and discussion of the different Ngb models, covering animal and cellular models of both overexpression and knockout strategies. Intriguingly, an in-depth literature search of available Ngb expression models revealed crucial discrepancies in the outcomes observed in different models. Not only does the level of Ngb expression—either physiologically, overexpressed, or downregulated—alter its functional properties, the experimental setup, being in vitro or in vivo, does impact the functional outcome as well and, hence, whether or not a physiological and/or therapeutic role is ascribed to Ngb. These differences could highlight either technical or biological adaptations and should be considered until elucidation of the Ngb biology.
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Ugurluer G, Cebi A, Mert H, Mert N, Serin M, Erkal HS. Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin against oxidant injury following brain irradiation: an experimental study. Arch Med Sci 2016; 12:1348-1353. [PMID: 27904528 PMCID: PMC5108378 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2016.58622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiation therapy (RT) is a major treatment modality, and the central nervous system is a dose-limiting organ in clinical RT. This experimental study aims to present the evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) against oxidant injury following brain irradiation in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10 each). In group 1 the rats received no EPO and underwent sham RT. The rats in groups 2 and 3 received EPO. In group 2 rats underwent sham RT, while in group 3 rats received RT. The rats in group 4 received no EPO and underwent RT. Rats were irradiated using a Cobalt-60 teletherapy machine using a single fraction of 20 Gy covering the whole brain. Cervical dislocation euthanasia was performed. The nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPX) activities were evaluated in dissected brain tissues. RESULTS The nitrite and MDA levels were higher in the RT group (2.10 ±0.62 ppm, 26.02 ±2.16 nmol/ml; p < 0.05) and lower in the EPO + RT group (1.45 ±0.12 ppm, 25.49 ±1.90 nmol/ml; p < 0.05). The SOD and GSHPX activity was higher in the EPO + RT group (2.62 ±0.49 U/mg, 1.75 ±0.25 U/mg, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study supports the probable neuroprotective effects of EPO against oxidant injury following brain irradiation in a rat model, presumably through decreasing free radical production and increasing expression of antioxidant enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Ugurluer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem University, Acibadem Adana Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Cebi
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
| | - Handan Mert
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
| | - Nihat Mert
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
| | - Meltem Serin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem University, Acibadem Adana Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Haldun Sukru Erkal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
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Ascenzi P, di Masi A, Leboffe L, Fiocchetti M, Nuzzo MT, Brunori M, Marino M. Neuroglobin: From structure to function in health and disease. Mol Aspects Med 2016; 52:1-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Matsuyama T, Tanaka T, Tatsumi K, Daijo H, Kai S, Harada H, Fukuda K. Midazolam inhibits the hypoxia-induced up-regulation of erythropoietin in the central nervous system. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 761:189-98. [PMID: 26001375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO), a regulator of red blood cell production, is endogenously expressed in the central nervous system. It is mainly produced by astrocytes under hypoxic conditions and has proven to have neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects. In the present study, we investigated the effect of midazolam on EPO expression in primary cultured astrocytes and the mouse brain. Midazolam was administered to 6-week-old BALB/c male mice under hypoxic conditions and pregnant C57BL/6N mice under normoxic conditions. Primary cultured astrocytes were also treated with midazolam under hypoxic conditions. The expression of EPO mRNA in mice brains and cultured astrocytes was studied. In addition, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), known as the main regulator of EPO, was evaluated. Midazolam significantly reduced the hypoxia-induced up-regulation of EPO in BALB/c mice brains and primary cultured astrocytes and suppressed EPO expression in the fetal brain. Midazolam did not affect the total amount of HIF proteins but significantly inhibited the nuclear expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α proteins. These results demonstrated the suppressive effects of midazolam on the hypoxia-induced up-regulation of EPO both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Matsuyama
- Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-Cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Tanaka
- Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-Cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Kenichiro Tatsumi
- Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-Cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hiroki Daijo
- Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-Cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kai
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hiroshi Harada
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Image-applied Therapy, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Fukuda
- Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-Cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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EMARA MARWAN, TURNER AROBERT, ALLALUNIS-TURNER JOAN. Hypoxia differentially upregulates the expression of embryonic, fetal and adult hemoglobin in human glioblastoma cells. Int J Oncol 2013; 44:950-8. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Hosseini-zare MS, Dashti-khavidaki S, Mahdavi-mazdeh M, Ahmadi F, Akrami S. Peripheral neuropathy response to erythropoietin in type 2 diabetic patients with mild to moderate renal failure. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2012; 114:663-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2012.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Zellinger C, Seeger N, Hadamitzky M, Fischborn S, Russmann V, Wendt H, Pankratova S, Bock E, Berezin V, Potschka H. Impact of the erythropoietin-derived peptide mimetic Epotris on the histopathological consequences of status epilepticus. Epilepsy Res 2011; 96:241-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2011.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Li RC, Guo SZ, Raccurt M, Moudilou E, Morel G, Brittian KR, Gozal D. Exogenous growth hormone attenuates cognitive deficits induced by intermittent hypoxia in rats. Neuroscience 2011; 196:237-50. [PMID: 21888951 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB), which is characterized by intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep, causes substantial cardiovascular and neurocognitive complications and has become a growing public health problem. SDB is associated with suppression of growth hormone (GH) secretion, the latter being integrally involved in the growth, development, and function of the CNS. Since GH treatment is able to attenuate neurocognitive deficits in a hypoxic-ischemic stroke model, GH, GH receptor (GHR) mRNA expression, and GH protein expression were assessed in rat hippocampus after exposures to chronic sustained hypoxia (CH, 10% O(2)) or IH (10% O(2) alternating with 21% O(2) every 90 s). In addition, the effect of GH treatment (50 μg/kg daily s.c. injection) on erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and GLUT-1 mRNA expression and neurobehavioral function was assessed. CH significantly increased GH mRNA and protein expression, as well as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). In contrast, IH only induced a moderate increase in GH mRNA and a slight elevation in GH protein at day 1, but no increases in IGF-1. CH, but not IH, up-regulated GHR mRNA in the hippocampus. IH induced marked neurocognitive deficits compared with CH or room air (RA). Furthermore, exogenous GH administration increased hippocampal mRNA expression of IGF-1, EPO, and VEGF, and not only reduced IH-induced hippocampal injury, but also attenuated IH-induced cognitive deficits. Thus, exogenous GH may provide a viable therapeutic intervention to protect IH-vulnerable brain regions from SDB-associated neuronal loss and associated neurocognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Abstract
Chemotherapy has improved survival rates in patients with many of the common cancers. However, there is reliable evidence that, as a result of treatment, a subset of cancer survivors experience cognitive problems that can last for many years after the completion of chemotherapy. The etiology of this phenomenon is largely unknown, and currently there are no proven treatments. This article explores the clinical and preclinical literature on potential therapies for chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments. Emerging results suggest that both pharmacological and behavioral approaches may offer patients some benefits. However, research in this area has been limited and is sometimes fraught with methodological flaws. As a result, it is difficult to draw definite conclusions regarding treatment efficacy. These issues, along with predictors of cognitive decline, are discussed in the light of possible interventions.
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Ostrowski D, Ehrenreich H, Heinrich R. Erythropoietin promotes survival and regeneration of insect neurons in vivo and in vitro. Neuroscience 2011; 188:95-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Revised: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Liu W, Shen Y, Plane JM, Pleasure DE, Deng W. Neuroprotective potential of erythropoietin and its derivative carbamylated erythropoietin in periventricular leukomalacia. Exp Neurol 2011; 230:227-39. [PMID: 21596035 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2010] [Revised: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is the predominant pathology in premature infants, characterized by prominent cerebral white matter injury, and commonly caused by hypoxia-ischemia and inflammation. Activated microglia trigger white matter damage and play a major role in the development of PVL. Erythropoietin (EPO) and its derivative carbamylated erythropoietin (CEPO) have been shown to be neuroprotective in several brain disease models. Here we investigated whether EPO and CEPO could provide protection in mouse models of PVL induced by hypoxia-ischemia or hypoxia-ischemia-inflammation. We administered EPO or CEPO to mice with PVL, and found that both EPO and CEPO treatments decreased microglia activation, oligodendrocyte damage and myelin depletion. We also noted improved performance in neurological function assays. Inhibited disease progression in PVL mice by EPO or CEPO treatment was associated with decreased poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity. PARP-1 activity was increased dramatically in activated microglia in untreated mice with PVL. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the neuroprotective properties of EPO and CEPO were diminished after PARP-1 gene depletion. The therapeutic doses of EPO and CEPO used in this study did not interfere with normal oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination. Together, our data demonstrate that EPO and CEPO are neuroprotective in cerebral white matter injury via a novel microglial PARP-1 dependent mechanism, and hold promise as a future treatment for PVL and other hypoxic-ischemic/inflammatory white matter diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Gao Y, Mengana Y, Cruz YR, Muñoz A, Testé IS, García JD, Wu Y, Rodríguez JCG, Zhang C. Different expression patterns of Ngb and EPOR in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus revealed distinctive therapeutic effects of intranasal delivery of Neuro-EPO for ischemic insults to the gerbil brain. J Histochem Cytochem 2011; 59:214-27. [PMID: 21339183 DOI: 10.1369/0022155410390323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of intranasally delivered recombinant human neuronal erythropoietin (Neuro-EPO) on brain injury induced by unilateral permanent ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil. Expression of EPO receptor (EPOR) and neuroglobin (Ngb) over 5 weeks after intranasal treatment with Neuro-EPO was determined using immunohistochemistry. Mortality of Neuro-EPO-treated gerbils decreased after surgery, and the sensory and motor function was significantly improved. Histopathological mapping showed that Neuro-EPO significantly reduced delayed neuronal death in the brain. Expression of Ngb was upregulated in the cerebral cortex at most time points (expect for 10 min and 48 hr) and in the hippocampus at 10 min and from 48 hr to 5 weeks, whereas EPOR was almost downregulated or unchanged in the brain (expect for 48 hr). The 10 min and 48 hr seemed to be two time points for the brain to switch the expression of both Ngb and EPOR to early and late recovery phase, respectively. In addition, there were two phases, 10 min to 1 hr and 24 hr to 72 hr, respectively, closing to the "golden hour" of about 60 min and the "silver day" of 1 to 3 days, for the brain to recover from stroke onset with intranasal Neuro-EPO treatment. Therefore, the results suggest that the intranasal administration of Neuro-EPO is effective in the treatment of acute brain ischemia. The different expression patterns of Ngb and EPOR is probably due to ischemic tolerance in the cerebral cortex and ischemic sensitivity in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, PR China
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hee Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Daegu College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jae Woo Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Daegu College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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Kong T, Choi JK, Park H, Choi BH, Snyder BJ, Bukhari S, Kim NK, Huang X, Park SR, Park HC, Ha Y. Reduction in programmed cell death and improvement in functional outcome of transient focal cerebral ischemia after administration of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in rats. Laboratory investigation. J Neurosurg 2009; 111:155-63. [PMID: 19361262 DOI: 10.3171/2008.12.jns08172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent hematopoietic growth factor that both enhances the survival and drives the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid lineage cells. Recent studies have suggested that GM-CSF has a neuroprotective effect against CNS injury. In this paper, the authors investigated the neuroprotective effect of GM-CSF on neuron survival and locomotor behavior in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemic injury. MATERIALS To understand its neuroprotective effect in vitro, GM-CSF was administered to a glutamate-induced excitotoxicity neuronal injury cell culture model that mimics the pathophysiology of focal hypoxic cerebral injury. In the animal study, the authors prepared a rat focal cerebral ischemia model by occluding the unilateral middle cerebral artery. They then examined the effects of GM-CSF administration on changes in infarct volume, apoptosis-related gene expression, and improvement in locomotor behavior. RESULTS Treatment with GM-CSF significantly increased cell viability in a cell culture model of glutamate-induced neuronal injury. Furthermore, in vivo administration of GM-CSF at 60 microg/kg body weight daily for 5 consecutive days beginning immediately after injury decreased infarction volume, altered the expression of several apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, and p53), and improved locomotor behavior in the focal cerebral ischemia model. CONCLUSIONS The GM-CSF had neuroprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo experiments and resulted in decreased infarction volume and improved locomotor behavior. Although the specific mechanism involved in stroke recovery was not fully elucidated as it was not the primary focus of this study, administration of GM-CSF appeared to decrease the extent of neuronal apoptosis by modulating the expression of several apoptosis-related genes such as Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, and p53. Further investigations are necessary to better understand the role of GM-CSF on neural regeneration during the recovery phase of a stroke, as well as the intracellular signal transduction pathways that mediate neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- TaeHo Kong
- Cell Therapy Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
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Iconomou G, Koutras A, Karaivazoglou K, Kalliolias GD, Assimakopoulos K, Argyriou AA, Ifanti A, Kalofonos HP. Effect of epoetin alpha therapy on cognitive function in anaemic patients with solid tumours undergoing chemotherapy. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2008; 17:535-41. [PMID: 18707621 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2007.00857.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to assess whether epoetin alpha (Ea) would improve cognitive performance in a group of anaemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The secondary aim was to confirm the positive impact of Ea on haematological parameters, and quality of life (QOL). Fifty patients with solid tumours and haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g/dL received Ea 40,000 units once weekly for 12 weeks and were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (QLQ-C30) questionnaire prior to Ea therapy and at study completion. No clinically significant alterations were observed on cognitive function during Ea treatment. Changes in cognitive function were unrelated to Hb change and there were no significant differences in cognitive performance between Ea responders and non-responders. The analyses revealed clinically significant improvements in Hb levels, physical and role function, and clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue. Hb changes were significantly associated with the magnitude of improvement in QOL parameters. The lack of a clinical benefit in cognition observed in this study during Ea treatment may redirect the focus of research from enhancing to maintaining cognitive function, since stability in cognitive performance through time may be as well clinically important.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Iconomou
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Greece
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Lapchak
- University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences, MTF 316, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0624, USA ;
- VASDHS Stroke Research, San Diego, California, USA
- Veterans Medical Research Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
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Abstract
Erythropoietin (Epo) leads to the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid precursors, but is also involved in diverse nonhematopoietic biological functions. In this issue of the JCI, Chen, Smith, and colleagues demonstrate that the temporal expression of Epo is critical for determining whether physiological or pathological repair occurs following neurovascular retinal injury in the oxygen-induced retinopathy neonatal mouse model (see the related article beginning on page 526). The pleiotrophic properties of Epo make it a likely novel therapy for treatment of neurovascular damage, but the timing of its use must be carefully considered to prevent untoward effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B Grant
- Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
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20
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Pandolfo M. Mutations causing Friedreich ataxia. Future Neurology 2008. [DOI: 10.2217/14796708.3.1.73] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative disease primarily affecting the nervous system and the heart. The identification of the FRDA gene (FXN) encoding the mitochondrial protein frataxin allowed to better define the clinical and pathological spectrum of the disease, to investigate pathogenesis and to eventually propose novel treatments for this so far incurable disease. Frataxin has homologs in all eukaryotes and in gram-negative bacteria. Studies in yeast and mouse models and biochemical investigations indicate a role in the assembly of iron–sulfur clusters in the mitochondrion. Frataxin deficiency leads to abnormal mitochondrial iron metabolism, decreased activities of iron–sulfur cluster-containing enzymes, reduced oxidative phosphorylation and possibly increased oxidative stress. Complete absence of frataxin is lethal at an embryonic level in all investigated multicellular organisms, in yeast it leads to loss of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA. Patients with FRDA have a unique mutation that results in low levels of structurally and functionally normal frataxin. The mutation is an unstable hyperexpansion of a GAA triplet-repeat sequence in the first intron of the gene. Pathological lengths of the GAA repeat adopt in vitro a non-B, triple helical DNA structure that inhibits transcription. In the nucleus, chromatin condenses at and around the GAA repeat into a heterochromatic state that is associated with repressed transcription. It is not yet known whether the triple helical structure forms in the nucleus and has a role in triggering chromatin condensation. Rare mutations, always occurring in heterozygosity with the GAA repeat expansion in FRDA patients, alter the coding frataxin sequence and result in non-functional or absent protein. Restoring frataxin transcription is an exciting perspective for treatment. Preliminary results in cell models suggest that some inhibitors of histone deacetylases may have this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Pandolfo
- Chief of Neurology Université Libre de Bruxelles-Hôpital Erasme, Service de Neurologie, Route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Bruxelles, Belgium
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Abstract
Treatments for spontaneous intracerebral, thrombolytic-induced and intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH) are still at the preclinical or early clinical investigational stages. There has been some renewed interest in the use of surgical evacuation surgery or thrombolytics to remove hematomas, but these techniques can be used only for specific types of brain bleeding. The STICH (Surgical Trial in Intracerebral Haemorrhage) clinical trials should provide some insight into the potential for such techniques to counteract hematoma-induced damage and subsequently, morbidity and mortality. More recently, clinical trials (ATACH [Antihypertensive Treatment in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage] and INTERACT [Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial]) have begun testing whether or not regulating blood pressure affects the well-being of hemorrhage patients, but the findings thus far have not conclusively demonstrated a positive result. More promising trials, such as the early stage CHANT (Cerebral Hemorrhagic And NXY-059 Treatment) and the late stage FAST (Factor VIIa for Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment), have addressed whether or not manipulating oxidative stress and components of the blood coagulation cascade can achieve an improved prognosis following spontaneous hemorrhages. However, CHANT was halted prematurely because although it showed that the spin trap agent NXY-059 was safe, it also demonstrated that the drug was ineffective in treating acute ischemic stroke. In addition, the recombinant activated factor VII FAST trial recently concluded with only modestly positive results. Despite a beneficial effect on the primary end point of reducing hemorrhage volume, controlling the coagulation cascade with recombinant factor VIIa did not decrease the mortality rate. Consequently, Novo Nordisk has abandoned further development of the drug for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhaging. Even though progress in hemorrhage therapy that successfully reduces the escalating morbidity and mortality rate associated with brain bleeding is slow, perseverance and applied translational drug development will eventually be productive. The urgent need for such therapy becomes more evident in light of concerns related to uncontrolled high blood pressure in the general population, increased use of blood thinners by the elderly (e.g., warfarin) and thrombolytics by acute ischemic stroke patients, respectively. The future of drug development for hemorrhage may require a multifaceted approach, such as combining drugs with diverse mechanisms of action. Because of the substantial benefit of factor VIIa in reducing hemorrhage volume, it should be considered as a prime drug candidate included in combination therapy as an off-label use if the FAST trial proves that the risk of thromboembolic events is not increased with drug administration. Other promising drugs that may be considered in combination include uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists (such as memantine), antioxidants, metalloprotease inhibitors, statins and erythropoietin analogs, all of which have been shown to reduce hemorrhage and behavioral deficits in one or more animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Lapchak
- University of California San Diego, Department of Neuroscience, MTF 316, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0624, USA.
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Abstract
The injured brain can be stimulated to amplify its intrinsic restorative processes to improve neurological function. Thus, after stroke, both cell and pharmacological neurorestorative treatments, amplify the induction of brain neurogenesis and angiogenesis, and thereby reduce neurological deficits. In this manuscript, we describe the use of bone marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) and erythropoietin (EPO) as examples of cell-based and pharmacological neurorestorative treatments, respectively, for both stroke and a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We demonstrate that these therapies significantly improve neurological function with treatment initiated after the onset of injury and concomitantly promote brain plasticity. The application of MRI to monitor changes in the injured brain associated with reduction of neurological deficit is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Bouleverd, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
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