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Aziz N, Ruzza C, Falcicchia C, Guarino A, Soukupova M, Asth L, Aleotti V, Bettegazzi B, Simonato M, Zucchini S. Lack of Direct Effects of Neurotrophic Factors in an In Vitro Model of Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4160. [PMID: 38673746 PMCID: PMC11049901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084160] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is associated with several neurological disorders including temporal lobe epilepsy. Seizures themselves can induce neuroinflammation. In an in vivo model of epilepsy, the supplementation of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) using a Herpes-based vector reduced epileptogenesis-associated neuroinflammation. The aim of this study was to test whether the attenuation of the neuroinflammation obtained in vivo with BDNF and FGF-2 was direct or secondary to other effects, for example, the reduction in the severity and frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizures. An in vitro model of neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/mL) in a mouse primary mixed glial culture was used. The releases of cytokines and NO were analyzed via ELISA and Griess assay, respectively. The effects of LPS and neurotrophic factors on cell viability were determined by performing an MTT assay. BDNF and FGF-2 were tested alone and co-administered. LPS induced a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and NO. BDNF, FGF-2, and their co-administration did not counteract these LPS effects. Our study suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect of BDNF and FGF-2 in vivo in the epilepsy model was indirect and likely due to a reduction in seizure frequency and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimra Aziz
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Annunziata Guarino
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Laila Asth
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Valentina Aleotti
- Operating Unit Neurological Clinic, University Hospital of Ferrara, via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Barbara Bettegazzi
- School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.A.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.A.); (M.S.); (S.Z.)
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Bettegazzi B, Cattaneo S, Simonato M, Zucchini S, Soukupova M. Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: What Does the Future Hold? Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:5-13. [PMID: 38103141 PMCID: PMC10786988 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00687-6] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many pre-clinical studies have tested gene therapy approaches as possible treatments for epilepsy, following the idea that they may provide an alternative to conventional pharmacological and surgical options. Multiple gene therapy approaches have been developed, including those based on anti-sense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and viral vectors. In this opinion article, we focus on translational issues related to viral vector-mediated gene therapy for epilepsy. Research has advanced dramatically in addressing issues like viral vector optimization, target identification, strategies of gene expression, editing or regulation, and safety. Some of these pre-clinically validated potential gene therapies are now being tested in clinical trials, in patients with genetic or focal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Here, we discuss the ongoing translational research and the advancements that are needed and expected in the near future. We then describe the clinical trials in the pipeline and the further challenges that will need to be addressed at the clinical and economic levels. Our optimistic view is that all these issues and challenges can be overcome, and that gene therapy approaches for epilepsy will soon become a clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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Guarino A, Bettegazzi B, Aziz N, Barbieri M, Bochicchio D, Crippa L, Marino P, Sguizzato M, Soukupova M, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Low-dose 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Administration After Status Epilepticus Prevents Epilepsy Development. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1951-1965. [PMID: 36180719 PMCID: PMC9723075 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01299-4] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy often manifests months or even years after an initial epileptogenic insult (e.g., stroke, trauma, status epilepticus) and, therefore, may be preventable. However, no such preventive treatment is currently available. Aim of this study was to test an antioxidant agent, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), that is well tolerated and effective in preclinical models of many neurological disorders, as an anti-epileptogenic drug. However, 7,8-DHF also acts as a TrkB receptor agonist and, based on the literature, this effect may imply an anti- or a pro-epileptogenic effect. We found that low- (5 mg/kg), but not high-dose 7,8-DHF (10 mg/kg) can exert strong anti-epileptogenic effects in the lithium-pilocarpine model (i.e., highly significant reduction in the frequency of spontaneous seizures and in the time to first seizure after status epilepticus). The mechanism of these different dose-related effects remains to be elucidated. Nonetheless, considering its excellent safety profile and antioxidant properties, as well as its putative effects on TrkB receptors, 7,8-DHF represents an interesting template for the development of effective and well-tolerated anti-epileptogenic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata Guarino
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Barbara Bettegazzi
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Nimra Aziz
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mario Barbieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Daniela Bochicchio
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lucia Crippa
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Marino
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maddalena Sguizzato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
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Barbieri M, Tirri M, Bilel S, Arfè R, Corli G, Marchetti B, Caruso L, Soukupova M, Cristofori V, Serpelloni G, Marti M. Synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 alters both acute behavior and in vivo/vitro electrophysiological responses in mice. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:953909. [PMID: 36339851 PMCID: PMC9634257 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.953909] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
JWH-073 is a synthetic cannabinoid (SCB) that is illegally marketed within an "herbal blend", causing psychoactive effects more intense than those produced by Cannabis. Users report that JWH-073 causes less harmful effects than other SCBs, misrepresenting it as a "safe JWH-018 alternative", which in turn prompts its recreational use. The present study is aimed to investigate the in vivo pharmacological activity on physiological and neurobehavioral parameters in male CD-1 mice after acute 1 mg/kg JWH-073 administration. To this aim we investigate its effect on sensorimotor (visual, acoustic, and tactile), motor (spontaneous motor activity and catalepsy), and memory functions (novel object recognition; NOR) in mice coupling behavioral and EEG data. Moreover, to clarify how memory function is affected by JWH-073, we performed in vitro electrophysiological studies in hippocampal preparations using a Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) stimulation paradigm. We demonstrated that acute administration of JWH-073 transiently decreased motor activity for up to 25 min and visual sensorimotor responses for up to 105 min, with the highest effects at 25 min (~48 and ~38%, respectively), while the memory function was altered up to 24 h (~33%) in treated-mice as compared to the vehicle. EEG in the somatosensory cortex showed a maximal decrease of α (~23%) and γ (~26%) bands at 15 min, β (~26%) band at 25 min, a maximal increase of θ (~14%) band at 25 min and δ (~35%) band at 2 h, and a significant decrease of θ (~18%), α (~26%), and β (~10%) bands during 24 h. On the other hand, EEG in the hippocampus showed a significant decrease of all bands from 10 min to 2 h, with the maximal effect at 30 min for θ (~34%) and γ (~26%) bands and 2 h for α (~36%), β (~29%), and δ (~15%) bands. Notably, the δ band significant increase both at 5 min (~12%) and 24 h (~19%). Moreover, in vitro results support cognitive function impairment (~60% of decrease) by interfering with hippocampal synaptic transmission and LTP generation. Our results suggest that JWH-073 deeply alters brain electrical responsiveness with minor behavioral symptoms. Thus, it poses a subtle threat to consumers who mistakenly consider it safer than other SCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Barbieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Arfè
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgia Corli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Beatrice Marchetti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Caruso
- Department of Environment and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Virginia Cristofori
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- Neuroscience Clinical Center and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Unit, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department for Anti-Drug Policies, Collaborative Center of the National Early Warning System, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Rome, Italy
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5
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Abstract
Neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are still incompletely understood. Many of these disorders lack a cure and are seeking more specific and effective treatments. In fact, in spite of advancements in knowledge of the CNS function, the treatment of neurological disorders with modern medical and surgical approaches remains difficult for many reasons, such as the complexity of the CNS, the limited regenerative capacity of the tissue, and the difficulty in conveying conventional drugs to the organ due to the blood-brain barrier. Gene therapy, allowing the delivery of genetic materials that encodes potential therapeutic molecules, represents an attractive option. Gene therapy can result in a stable or inducible expression of transgene(s), and can allow a nearly specific expression in target cells. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly used tools for the delivery of genetic material in the CNS, including viral and non-viral vectors; their main applications; their advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss mechanisms of genetic regulation through cell-specific and inducible promoters, which allow to express gene products only in specific cells and to control their transcriptional activation. In addition, we will describe the applications to CNS diseases of post-transcriptional regulation systems (RNA interference); of systems allowing spatial or temporal control of expression [optogenetics and Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs)]; and of gene editing technologies (CRISPR/Cas9, Zinc finger proteins). Particular attention will be reserved to viral vectors derived from herpes simplex type 1, a potential tool for the delivery and expression of multiple transgene cassettes simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Ingusci
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Paolone G, Falcicchia C, Verlengia G, Barbieri M, Binaschi A, Paliotto F, Paradiso B, Soukupova M, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Personalized Needles for Microinjections in the Rodent Brain. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29443027 DOI: 10.3791/55751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microinjections have been used for a long time for the delivery of drugs or toxins within specific brain areas and, more recently, they have been used to deliver gene or cell therapy products. Unfortunately, current microinjection techniques use steel or glass needles that are suboptimal for multiple reasons: in particular, steel needles may cause tissue damage, and glass needles may bend when lowered deeply into the brain, missing the target region. In this article, we describe a protocol to prepare and use quartz needles that combine a number of useful features. These needles do not produce detectable tissue damage and, being very rigid, ensure reliable delivery in the desired brain region even when using deep coordinates. Moreover, it is possible to personalize the design of the needle by making multiple holes of the desired diameter. Multiple holes facilitate the injection of large amounts of solution within a larger area, whereas large holes facilitate the injection of cells. In addition, these quartz needles can be cleaned and re-used, such that the procedure becomes cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Paolone
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara;
| | - Chiara Falcicchia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Mario Barbieri
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Anna Binaschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Federico Paliotto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Beatrice Paradiso
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara; Laboratory for the Technologies for Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara; Laboratory for the Technologies for Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara
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7
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Falcicchia C, Trempat P, Binaschi A, Perrier-Biollay C, Roncon P, Soukupova M, Berthommé H, Simonato M. Silencing Status Epilepticus-Induced BDNF Expression with Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Based Amplicon Vectors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150995. [PMID: 26954758 PMCID: PMC4783051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150995] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been found to produce pro- but also anti-epileptic effects. Thus, its validity as a therapeutic target must be verified using advanced tools designed to block or to enhance its signal. The aim of this study was to develop tools to silence the BDNF signal. We generated Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) derived amplicon vectors, i.e. viral particles containing a genome of 152 kb constituted of concatameric repetitions of an expression cassette, enabling the expression of the gene of interest in multiple copies. HSV-1 based amplicon vectors are non-pathogenic and have been successfully employed in the past for gene delivery into the brain of living animals. Therefore, amplicon vectors should represent a logical choice for expressing a silencing cassette, which, in multiple copies, is expected to lead to an efficient knock-down of the target gene expression. Here, we employed two amplicon-based BDNF silencing strategies. The first, antisense, has been chosen to target and degrade the cytoplasmic mRNA pool of BDNF, whereas the second, based on the convergent transcription technology, has been chosen to repress transcription at the BDNF gene. Both these amplicon vectors proved to be effective in down-regulating BDNF expression in vitro, in BDNF-expressing mesoangioblast cells. However, only the antisense strategy was effective in vivo, after inoculation in the hippocampus in a model of status epilepticus in which BDNF mRNA levels are strongly increased. Interestingly, the knocking down of BDNF levels induced with BDNF-antisense was sufficient to produce significant behavioral effects, in spite of the fact that it was produced only in a part of a single hippocampus. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a reliable effect of amplicon vectors in knocking down gene expression in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, this approach may find broad applications in neurobiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Falcicchia
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
- Bioviron, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Pascal Trempat
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
- Bioviron, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anna Binaschi
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Roncon
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Hervé Berthommé
- Bioviron, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Science, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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8
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Soukupova M, Binaschi A, Falcicchia C, Palma E, Roncon P, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Increased extracellular levels of glutamate in the hippocampus of chronically epileptic rats. Neuroscience 2015; 301:246-53. [PMID: 26073699 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
An increase in the release of excitatory amino acids has consistently been observed in the hippocampus during seizures, both in humans and animals. However, very little or nothing is known about the extracellular levels of glutamate and aspartate during epileptogenesis and in the interictal chronic period of established epilepsy. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the relationship between seizure activity and changes in hippocampal glutamate and aspartate extracellular levels under basal and high K(+)-evoked conditions, at various time-points in the natural history of experimental temporal lobe epilepsy, using in vivo microdialysis. Hippocampal extracellular glutamate and aspartate levels were evaluated: 24h after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE); during the latency period preceding spontaneous seizures; immediately after the first spontaneous seizure; in the chronic (epileptic) period. We found that (i) basal (spontaneous) glutamate outflow is increased in the interictal phases of the chronic period, whereas basal aspartate outflow remains stable for the entire course of the disease; (ii) high K(+) perfusion increased glutamate and aspartate outflow in both control and pilocarpine-treated animals, and the overflow of glutamate was clearly increased in the chronic group. Our data suggest that the glutamatergic signaling is preserved and even potentiated in the hippocampus of epileptic rats, and thus may favor the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Together with an impairment of GABA signaling (Soukupova et al., 2014), these data suggest that a shift toward excitation occurs in the excitation/inhibition balance in the chronic epileptic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Soukupova
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - A Binaschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - C Falcicchia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - E Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Roma "Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele, Via della Pisana 235, Roma, Italy.
| | - P Roncon
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - S Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy; Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto 35, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - M Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy; Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto 35, Ferrara, Italy.
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9
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Buzzi A, Chikhladze M, Falcicchia C, Paradiso B, Lanza G, Soukupova M, Marti M, Morari M, Franceschetti S, Simonato M. Loss of cortical GABA terminals in Unverricht–Lundborg disease. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 47:216-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Palazzo E, Guida F, Migliozzi A, Gatta L, Marabese I, Luongo L, Rossi C, de Novellis V, Fernández-Sánchez E, Soukupova M, Zafra F, Maione S. Intraperiaqueductal gray glycine and D-serine exert dual effects on rostral ventromedial medulla ON- and OFF-cell activity and thermoceptive threshold in the rat. J Neurophysiol 2009; 102:3169-79. [PMID: 19776366 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00124.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have studied the involvement of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) glycine site and the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor (GlyR) in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VL-PAG) on nociceptive behavior (tail flick) and pain-related changes on neuronal activity in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). Glycine or D-serine increased the tail-flick latency, reduced OFF-cell pause, and delayed its onset and increased the time between the onset of the OFF-cell pause and the tail withdrawal. Conversely, they decreased the ongoing activity of the ON cell, the tail-flick-induced ON-cell firing, whereas they delayed the onset of increased tail-flick-induced ON-cell firing. Also, glycine or D-serine reduced the interval between the onset of the increased ON-cell firing and tail withdrawal. Whereas 7-Cl-kynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYN) prevented such effects, strychnine did not do so. A higher dose of 7-Cl-KYN or strychnine was per se able to reduce or increase tail-flick latency and increase or reduce ON-cell activities, respectively. A higher dose of glycine was hyperalgesic in the presence of 7-Cl-KYN, whereas such an effect was prevented by strychnine. These data suggest 1) a dual role of glycine in producing hyperalgesia or analgesia by stimulating the GlyR or the NMDARs within the VL-PAG, respectively; 2) consistently that RVM ON and OFF cells display opposite firing patterns to the stimulation of the VL-PAG NMDAR glycine site and GlyR activation; and 3) a tonic role of these receptors within the VL-PAG-RVM antinociceptive descending pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Prochazkova M, Zanvit P, Soukupova M, Horakova L, Dolezal T, Prokesova L, Krsiak M. 230 EXPRESSION AND PRODUCTION OF SPINAL CYCLOOXYGENASE 1 AND CYCLOOXYGENASE 2 IN THE SPARED NERVE INJURY MODEL OF NEUROPATHIC PAIN. Eur J Pain 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(09)60233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Prochazkova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - P. Zanvit
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M. Soukupova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - L. Horakova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - T. Dolezal
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - L. Prokesova
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M. Krsiak
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Soukupova M, Dolezal T, Prochazkova M, Janovsky M, Tuma P, Kubicek V, Krsiak M. 267 THE EFFECT OF PARACETAMOL ON PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY RELEASE OF GLYCINE IN THE INFLAMMATORY PAIN. Eur J Pain 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(09)60270-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Soukupova
- Department of Pharmacology 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - T. Dolezal
- Department of Pharmacology 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - M. Prochazkova
- Department of Pharmacology 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - M. Janovsky
- Department of Pharmacology 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - P. Tuma
- Institute of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - V. Kubicek
- Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University Prague, Hradec kralove, Czech Republic
| | - M. Krsiak
- Department of Pharmacology 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
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Soukupova M, Dolezal T, Krsiak M. Synergistic interaction between rilmenidine and ibuprofen in the writhing test in mice. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2009; 30:215-220. [PMID: 19675513] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to ascertain whether rilmenidine, a second generation imidazoline-alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonist, is able to increase analgesic effects of ibuprofen in the writhing test in mice. Experimental studies combining these agents have not yet been published. METHODS An acetic acid (0.7%) solution was injected into the peritoneal cavity and the number of writhes was counted. The influence on locomotor performance was tested using the rotarod test. RESULTS Rilmenidine, ibuprofen, and rilmenidine-ibuprofen fixed-ratio combinations produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects. ED50 values were estimated for the individual drugs and an isobologram was constructed. The derived theoretical additive ED50 value for the rilmenidine-ibuprofen combination was 34.00 +/- 9.39 mg/kg. This value was significantly greater than the observed ED50 value which was 18.07 +/- 5.41 mg/kg, indicating a synergistic interaction. Rilmenidine did not impair motor coordination, as measured by the rotarod test, at antinociceptive and higher doses. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that rilmenidine enhances the analgesic activity of ibuprofen. If rilmenidine produces antinociception in humans, then the synergistic antinociception of rilmenidine with ibuprofen could offer therapeutic advantage for clinical treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Soukupova
- Department of Pharmacology, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Blahakova I, Makaturova E, Kotrbova L, Soukupova M, Lastuvkova J, Kozak L. Molecular screening of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome in pregnant women from the Czech Republic. J Inherit Metab Dis 2007; 30:964-9. [PMID: 17994283 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-007-0710-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2007] [Revised: 09/18/2007] [Accepted: 09/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. SLOS is caused by the mutations in the gene for 3beta-hydroxysterol Delta(7) reductase (DHCR7; EC 1.3.1.21), which maps to chromosome 11q12-13. DHCR7 catalyses the final step in cholesterol biosynthesis-the reduction of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol. Clinical severity ranges from mild dysmorphism to severe congenital malformation and intrauterine lethality. Pregnant women are offered a biochemical screening test for Down syndrome in the second trimester, where the suspicion for SLOS could be registered, when the unconjugated estriol (uE3) level appears low. A group of 456 fetuses with a high risk for SLOS were examined by DNA analysis. We confirmed SLOS in 5 fetuses and 11 fetuses were carriers. One novel mutation (p.G30A) was detected. The most frequently found mutations, c.964-1G > C and p.W151X, are also the most severe ones. At least one of these mutations was detected in each fetus with SLOS. This suggests that the biochemical screening of pregnant women probably uncovers mainly more severely affected fetuses. We confirmed SLOS also in two patients whose prenatal screening was negative. Both of them had nonsense mutation on one allele. It stands to reason that some modifying factors may play a role in the reduction of the uE3 level in the mother's serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Blahakova
- Center of Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Abstract
The biogenesis of peroxisomes requires the interaction of several peroxins, encoded by PEX genes and is well conserved between yeast and humans. We have cloned the human cDNA of PEX3 based on its homology to different yeast PEX3 genes. The deduced peroxin HsPEX3 is a peroxisomal membrane protein with a calculated molecular mass of 42.1 kDa. We created N- and C-terminal tagged PEX3 to assay its topology at the peroxisomal membrane by immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results and the one predicted transmembrane spanning region are in line with the assumption that H sPEX3 is an integral peroxisomal membrane protein with the N-terminus inside the peroxisome and the C-terminus facing the cytoplasm. The farnesylated peroxisomal membrane protein PEX19 interacts with HsPEX3 in a mammalian two-hybrid assay in human fibroblasts. The physical interaction could be confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of the two in vitro transcribed and translated proteins. To address the targeting of PEX3 to the peroxisomal membrane, the expression of different N- and C-terminal PEX3 truncations fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) was investigated in human fibroblasts. The N-terminal 33 amino acids of PEX3 were necessary and sufficient to direct the reporter protein GFP to peroxisomes and seemed to be integrated into the peroxisomal membrane. The expression of a 1-16 PEX3-GFP fusion protein did not result in a peroxisomal localization, but interestingly, this and several other truncated PEX3 fusion proteins were also localized to tubular and/or vesicular structures representing mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Soukupova
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Systembiochemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
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Will GK, Soukupova M, Hong X, Erdmann KS, Kiel JA, Dodt G, Kunau WH, Erdmann R. Identification and characterization of the human orthologue of yeast Pex14p. Mol Cell Biol 1999; 19:2265-77. [PMID: 10022913 PMCID: PMC84019 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.19.3.2265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/1998] [Accepted: 12/10/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pex14p is a central component of the peroxisomal protein import machinery, which has been suggested to provide the point of convergence for PTS1- and PTS2-dependent protein import in yeast cells. Here we describe the identification of a human peroxisome-associated protein (HsPex14p) which shows significant similarity to the yeast Pex14p. HsPex14p is a carbonate-resistant peroxisomal membrane protein with its C terminus exposed to the cytosol. The N terminus of the protein is not accessible to exogenously added antibodies or protease and thus might protrude into the peroxisomal lumen. HsPex14p overexpression leads to the decoration of tubular structures and mislocalization of peroxisomal catalase to the cytosol. HsPex14p binds the cytosolic receptor for the peroxisomal targeting signal 1 (PTS1), a result consistent with a function as a membrane receptor in peroxisomal protein import. Homo-oligomerization of HsPex14p or interaction of the protein with the PTS2-receptor or HsPex13p was not observed. This distinguishes the human Pex14p from its counterpart in yeast cells and thus supports recent data suggesting that not all aspects of peroxisomal protein import are conserved between yeasts and humans. The role of HsPex14p in mammalian peroxisome biogenesis makes HsPEX14 a candidate PBD gene for being responsible for an unrecognized complementation group of human peroxisome biogenesis disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Will
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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