| 1. |
- Aggarwal, Tanya, et al.
(författare)
-
Boundary Cap Neural Crest Stem Cells Promote Survival of Mutant SOD1 Motor Neurons
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1878-7479. ; 14:3, s. 773-783
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ALS is a devastating disease resulting in degeneration of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord. The survival of MNs strongly depends on surrounding glial cells and neurotrophic support from muscles. We previously demonstrated that boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) can give rise to neurons and glial cells in vitro and in vivo and have multiple beneficial effects on co-cultured and co-implanted cells, including neural cells. In this paper, we investigate if bNCSCs may improve survival of MNs harboring a mutant form of human SOD1 (SOD1(G93A)) in vitro under normal conditions and oxidative stress and in vivo after implantation to the spinal cord. We found that survival of SOD1(G93A) MNs in vitro was increased in the presence of bNCSCs under normal conditions as well as under oxidative stress. In addition, when SOD1(G93A) MN precursors were implanted to the spinal cord of adult mice, their survival was increased when they were co-implanted with bNCSCs. These findings show that bNCSCs support survival of SOD1(G93A) MNs in normal conditions and under oxidative stress in vitro and improve their survival in vivo, suggesting that bNCSCs have a potential for the development of novel stem cell-based therapeutic approaches in ALS models.
|
|
| 2. |
- Benatar, Michael, et al.
(författare)
-
Design of a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial of tofersen initiated in clinically presymptomatic SOD1 variant carriers : the Atlas study
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Springer. - 1933-7213 .- 1878-7479. ; 19, s. 1248-1258
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite extensive research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains a progressive and invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease. Limited knowledge of the underlying causes of ALS has made it difficult to target upstream biological mechanisms of disease, and therapeutic interventions are usually administered relatively late in the course of disease. Genetic forms of ALS offer a unique opportunity for therapeutic development, as genetic associations may reveal potential insights into disease etiology. Genetic ALS may also be amenable to investigating earlier intervention given the possibility of identifying clinically presymptomatic, at-risk individuals with causative genetic variants. There is increasing evidence for a presymptomatic phase of ALS, with biomarker data from the Pre-Symptomatic Familial ALS (Pre-fALS) study showing that an elevation in blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) precedes phenoconversion to clinically manifest disease. Tofersen is an investigational antisense oligonucleotide designed to reduce synthesis of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein through degradation of SOD1 mRNA. Informed by Pre-fALS and the tofersen clinical development program, the ATLAS study (NCT04856982) is designed to evaluate the impact of initiating tofersen in presymptomatic carriers of SOD1 variants associated with high or complete penetrance and rapid disease progression who also have biomarker evidence of disease activity (elevated plasma NfL). The ATLAS study will investigate whether tofersen can delay the emergence of clinically manifest ALS. To our knowledge, ATLAS is the first interventional trial in presymptomatic ALS and has the potential to yield important insights into the design and conduct of presymptomatic trials, identification, and monitoring of at-risk individuals, and future treatment paradigms in ALS.
|
|
| 3. |
- Carlström, Karl E., et al.
(författare)
-
Characterization of More Selective Central Nervous System Nrf2-Activating Novel Vinyl Sulfoximine Compounds Compared to Dimethyl Fumarate
- 2020
-
Ingår i: NEUROTHERAPEUTICS. - : SPRINGER. - 1933-7213 .- 1878-7479. ; 17, s. 1142-1152
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Nrf2 transcription factor is a key regulator of redox reactions and considered the main target for the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug dimethyl fumarate (DMF). However, exploration of additional Nrf2-activating compounds is motivated, since DMF displays significant off-target effects and has a relatively poor penetrance to the central nervous system (CNS). We de novo synthesized eight vinyl sulfone and sulfoximine compounds (CH-1-CH-8) and evaluated their capacity to activate the transcription factors Nrf2, NF kappa B, and HIF1 in comparison with DMF using the pTRAF platform. The novel sulfoximine CH-3 was the most promising candidate and selected for further comparison in vivo and later an experimental model for traumatic brain injury (TBI). CH-3 and DMF displayed comparable capacity to activate Nrf2 and downstream transcripts in vitro, but with less off-target effects on HIF1 from CH-3. This was verified in cultured microglia and oligodendrocytes (OLs) and subsequently in vivo in rats. Following TBI, DMF lowered the number of leukocytes in blood and also decreased axonal degeneration. CH-3 preserved or increased the number of pre-myelinating OL. While both CH-3 and DMF activated Nrf2, CH-3 showed less off-target effects and displayed more selective OL associated effects. Further studies with Nrf2-acting compounds are promising candidates to explore potential myelin protective or regenerative effects in demyelinating disorders.
|
|
| 4. |
- Chalfouh, C, et al.
(författare)
-
The Regenerative Effect of Trans-spinal Magnetic Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Mechanisms and Pathways Underlying the Effect
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1878-7479. ; 17:4, s. 2069-2088
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a loss of sensitive and motor functions. Currently, there is no therapeutic intervention offering a complete recovery. Here, we report that repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) can be a noninvasive SCI treatment that enhances tissue repair and functional recovery. Several techniques including immunohistochemical, behavioral, cells cultures, and proteomics have been performed. Moreover, different lesion paradigms, such as acute and chronic phase following SCI in wild-type and transgenic animals at different ages (juvenile, adult, and aged), have been used. We demonstrate that rTSMS modulates the lesion scar by decreasing fibrosis and inflammation and increases proliferation of spinal cord stem cells. Our results demonstrate also that rTSMS decreases demyelination, which contributes to axonal regrowth, neuronal survival, and locomotor recovery after SCI. This research provides evidence that rTSMS induces therapeutic effects in a preclinical rodent model and suggests possible translation to clinical application in humans.
|
|
| 5. |
- Edvinsson, Lars, et al.
(författare)
-
CGRP receptor antagonism and migraine.
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1878-7479 .- 1933-7213. ; 7:2, s. 164-175
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, consistent with control of vasodilatation, nociception, motor function, secretion, and olfaction. alphaCGRP is prominently localized in primary spinal afferent C and ADelta fibers of sensory ganglia, and betaCGRP is the main isoform in the enteric nervous system. In the CNS there is a wide distribution of CGRP-containing neurons, with the highest levels occurring in striatum, amygdala, colliculi, and cerebellum. The peripheral projections are involved in neurogenic vasodilatation and inflammation, and central release induces hyperalgesia. CGRP is released from trigeminal nerves in migraine. Trigeminal nerve activation results in antidromic release of CGRP to cause non-endothelium-mediated vasodilatation. At the central synapses in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, CGRP acts postjunctionally on second-order neurons to transmit pain signals centrally via the brainstem and midbrain to the thalamus and higher cortical pain regions. Recently developed CGRP receptor antagonists are effective at aborting acute migraine attacks. They may act both centrally and peripherally to attenuate signaling within the trigeminovascular pathway.
|
|
| 6. |
- Estévez-Silva, Héctor M., et al.
(författare)
-
Pridopidine Promotes Synaptogenesis and Reduces Spatial Memory Deficits in the Alzheimer’s Disease APP/PS1 Mouse Model
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Springer. - 1933-7213 .- 1878-7479. ; 19, s. 1566-1587
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sigma-1 receptor agonists have recently gained a great deal of interest due to their anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, and neurorestorative properties. Compounds such as PRE-084 or pridopidine (ACR16) are being studied as a potential treatment against cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative disease, also to include Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we performed in vitro experiments using primary neuronal cell cultures from rats to evaluate the abilities of ACR16 and PRE-084 to induce new synapses and spines formation, analyzing the expression of the possible genes and proteins involved. We additionally examined their neuroprotective properties against neuronal death mediated by oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. Both ACR16 and PRE-084 exhibited a concentration-dependent neuroprotective effect against NMDA- and H2O2-related toxicity, in addition to promoting the formation of new synapses and dendritic spines. However, only ACR16 generated dendritic spines involved in new synapse establishment, maintaining a more expanded activation of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling cascades. Consequently, ACR16 was also evaluated in vivo, and a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally in APP/PS1 mice before performing the Morris water maze. ACR16 diminished the spatial learning and memory deficits observed in APP/PS1 transgenic mice via PI3K/Akt pathway activation. These data point to ACR16 as a pharmacological tool to prevent synapse loss and memory deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease, due to its neuroprotective properties against oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, as well as the promotion of new synapses and spines through a mechanism that involves AKT and ERK signaling pathways.
|
|
| 7. |
- Francardo, Veronica, et al.
(författare)
-
Pridopidine Induces Functional Neurorestoration Via the Sigma-1 Receptor in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1933-7213 .- 1878-7479. ; 16:2, s. 465-479
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pridopidine is a small molecule in clinical development for the treatment of Huntington’s disease. It was recently found to have high binding affinity to the sigma-1 receptor, a chaperone protein involved in cellular defense mechanisms and neuroplasticity. Here, we have evaluated the neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of pridopidine in a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion model of parkinsonism in mice. By 5 weeks of daily administration, a low dose of pridopidine (0.3 mg/kg) had significantly improved deficits in forelimb use (cylinder test, stepping test) and abolished the ipsilateral rotational bias typical of hemiparkinsonian animals. A higher dose of pridopidine (1 mg/kg) significantly improved only the rotational bias, with a trend towards improvement in forelimb use. The behavioral recovery induced by pridopidine 0.3 mg/kg was accompanied by a significant protection of nigral dopamine cell bodies, an increased dopaminergic fiber density in the striatum, and striatal upregulation of GDNF, BDNF, and phosphorylated ERK1/2. The beneficial effects of pridopidine 0.3 mg/kg were absent in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice lacking the sigma-1 receptor. Pharmacokinetic data confirmed that the effective dose of pridopidine reached brain concentrations sufficient to bind S1R. Our results are the first to show that pridopidine promotes functional neurorestoration in the damaged nigrostriatal system acting via the sigma-1 receptor.
|
|
| 8. |
- Gouras, Gunnar, et al.
(författare)
-
β-amyloid Peptides and Amyloid Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease.
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1878-7479 .- 1933-7213. ; 12:1, s. 3-11
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many lines of evidence support that β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides play an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. But despite much effort the molecular mechanisms of how Aβ contributes to AD remain unclear. While Aβ is generated from its precursor protein throughout life, the peptide is best known as the main component of amyloid plaques, the neuropathological hallmark of AD. Reduction in Aβ has been the major target of recent experimental therapies against AD. Unfortunately, human clinical trials targeting Aβ have not shown the hoped-for benefits. Thus, doubts have been growing about the role of Aβ as a therapeutic target. Here we review evidence supporting the involvement of Aβ in AD, highlight the importance of differentiating between various forms of Aβ, and suggest that a better understanding of Aβ's precise pathophysiological role in the disease is important for correctly targeting it for potential future therapy.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Lindblad, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
-
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist as Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Elsevier. - 1933-7213 .- 1878-7479. ; 20:6, s. 1508-1528
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Traumatic brain injury is a common type of acquired brain injury of varying severity carrying potentially deleterious consequences for the afflicted individuals, families, and society. Following the initial, traumatically induced insult, cellular injury processes ensue. These are believed to be amenable to treatment. Among such injuries, neuroinflammation has gained interest and has become a specific focus for both experimental and clinical researchers. Neuroinflammation is elicited almost immediately following trauma, and extend for a long time, possibly for years, after the primary injury. In the acute phase, the inflammatory response is characterized by innate mechanisms such as the activation of microglia which among else mediates cytokine production. Among the earliest cytokines to emerge are the interleukin- (IL-) 1 family members, comprising, for example, the agonist IL-1β and its competitive antagonist, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Because of its early emergence following trauma and its increased concentrations also after human TBI, IL-1 has been hypothesized to be a tractable treatment target following TBI. Ample experimental data supports this, and demonstrates restored neurological behavior, diminished lesion zones, and an attenuated inflammatory response following IL-1 modulation either through IL-1 knock-out experiments, IL-1β inhibition, or IL-1ra treatment. Of these, IL-1ra treatment is likely the most physiological. In addition, recombinant human IL-1ra (anakinra) is already approved for utilization across a few rheumatologic disorders. As of today, one randomized clinical controlled trial has utilized IL-1ra inhibition as an intervention and demonstrated its safety. Further clinical trials powered for patient outcome are needed in order to demonstrate efficacy. In this review, we summarize IL-1 biology in relation to acute neuroinflammatory processes following TBI with a particular focus on current evidence for IL-1ra treatment both in the experimental and clinical context.
|
|
