scholarly journals Therapeutic Assay with the Non-toxic C-Terminal Fragment of Tetanus Toxin (TTC) in Transgenic Murine Models of Prion Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Betancor ◽  
Laura Moreno-Martínez ◽  
Óscar López-Pérez ◽  
Alicia Otero ◽  
Adelaida Hernaiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Prion Disease ◽  
Tetanus Toxin ◽  
Neuronal Survival ◽  
Prion Diseases ◽  
Cellular Prion Protein ◽  
Murine Models ◽  
Terminal Fragment ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractThe non-toxic C-terminal fragment of the tetanus toxin (TTC) has been described as a neuroprotective molecule since it binds to Trk receptors and activates Trk-dependent signaling, activating neuronal survival pathways and inhibiting apoptosis. Previous in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of this molecule to increase mice survival, inhibit apoptosis and regulate autophagy in murine models of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in which the main pathogenic event is the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into an abnormal and misfolded isoform known as PrPSc. These diseases share different pathological features with other neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. Hitherto, there are no effective therapies to treat prion diseases. Here, we present a pilot study to test the therapeutic potential of TTC to treat prion diseases. C57BL6 wild-type mice and the transgenic mice Tg338, which overexpress PrPC, were intracerebrally inoculated with scrapie prions and then subjected to a treatment consisting of repeated intramuscular injections of TTC. Our results indicate that TTC displays neuroprotective effects in the murine models of prion disease reducing apoptosis, regulating autophagy and therefore increasing neuronal survival, although TTC did not increase survival time in these models.

scholarly journals Bile Acids Reduce Prion Conversion, Reduce Neuronal Loss, and Prolong Male Survival in Models of Prion Disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (15) ◽  
pp. 7660-7672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo M. Cortez ◽  
Jody Campeau ◽  
Grant Norman ◽  
Marian Kalayil ◽  
Jacques Van der Merwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Bile Acids ◽  
Prion Disease ◽  
Prion Diseases ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Disease Models ◽  
Orally Bioavailable ◽  
Prion Conversion ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

ABSTRACTPrion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders associated with the conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into its aberrant infectious form (PrPSc). There is no treatment available for these diseases. The bile acids tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) have been recently shown to be neuroprotective in other protein misfolding disease models, including Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases, and also in humans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we studied the therapeutic efficacy of these compounds in prion disease. We demonstrated that TUDCA and UDCA substantially reduced PrP conversion in cell-free aggregation assays, as well as in chronically and acutely infected cell cultures. This effect was mediated through reduction of PrPScseeding ability, rather than an effect on PrPC. We also demonstrated the ability of TUDCA and UDCA to reduce neuronal loss in prion-infected cerebellar slice cultures. UDCA treatment reduced astrocytosis and prolonged survival in RML prion-infected mice. Interestingly, these effects were limited to the males, implying a gender-specific difference in drug metabolism. Beyond effects on PrPSc, we found that levels of phosphorylated eIF2α were increased at early time points, with correlated reductions in postsynaptic density protein 95. As demonstrated for other neurodegenerative diseases, we now show that TUDCA and UDCA may have a therapeutic role in prion diseases, with effects on both prion conversion and neuroprotection. Our findings, together with the fact that these natural compounds are orally bioavailable, permeable to the blood-brain barrier, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in humans, make these compounds promising alternatives for the treatment of prion diseases.IMPORTANCEPrion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases that are transmissible to humans and other mammals. There are no disease-modifying therapies available, despite decades of research. Treatment targets have included inhibition of protein accumulation, clearance of toxic aggregates, and prevention of downstream neurodegeneration. No one target may be sufficient; rather, compounds which have a multimodal mechanism, acting on different targets, would be ideal. TUDCA and UDCA are bile acids that may fulfill this dual role. Previous studies have demonstrated their neuroprotective effects in several neurodegenerative disease models, and we now demonstrate that this effect occurs in prion disease, with an added mechanistic target of upstream prion seeding. Importantly, these are natural compounds which are orally bioavailable, permeable to the blood-brain barrier, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in humans with primary biliary cirrhosis. They have recently been proven efficacious in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Therefore, these compounds are promising options for the treatment of prion diseases.

Physiological and pathological roles of exosomes in the nervous system

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Yuyama ◽  
Yasuyuki Igarashi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Prion Disease ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Endosomal Membranes ◽  
Nerve Development ◽  
Self Repair ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractExosomes represent a subtype of extracellular nanovesicles that are generated from the luminal budding of limiting endosomal membranes and subsequent exocytosis. They encapsulate or associate with obsolete molecules to eliminate or to transfer their cargos in intercellular communication. The exosomes are also released and transported between neurons and glia in the nervous system, having a broad impact on nerve development, activation and regeneration. Accumulating evidence suggests that the exosomes are attributed to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases such as prion disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as aging, in which the exosomes lack the capacity for cellular self-repair and spread their enclosed pathological agents among neurons. In this article, we review the current proposed functions of exosomes in physiological and pathological processes in the nervous system.

scholarly journals Neurotrophic Properties of C-Terminal Domain of the Heavy Chain of Tetanus Toxin on Motor Neuron Disease

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Mireia Herrando-Grabulosa ◽  
Caty Casas ◽  
Kevin Talbot ◽  
José Aguilera
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Tetanus Toxin ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

The carboxyl-terminal domain of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin (Hc-TeTx) exerts a neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative diseases via the activation of signaling pathways related to neurotrophins, and also through inhibiting apoptotic cell death. Here, we demonstrate that Hc-TeTx preserves motoneurons from chronic excitotoxicity in an in vitro model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Furthermore, we found that PI3-K/Akt pathway, but not p21ras/MAPK pathway, is involved in their beneficial effects under chronic excitotoxicity. Moreover, we corroborate the capacity of the Hc-TeTx to be transported retrogradely into the spinal motor neurons and also its capacity to bind to the motoneuron-like cell line NSC-34. These findings suggest a possible therapeutic tool to improve motoneuron preservation in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

scholarly journals Proline/arginine dipeptide repeat polymers derail protein folding in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Babu ◽  
Filippo Favretto ◽  
Alain Ibáñez de Opakua ◽  
Marija Rankovic ◽  
Stefan Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Protein Folding ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Catalyst Activity ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Prolyl Isomerase ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Hexanucleotide Repeat ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Dipeptide Repeat

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are two neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping clinical features and the pathological hallmark of cytoplasmic deposits of misfolded proteins. The most frequent cause of familial forms of these diseases is a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the non-coding region of the C9ORF72 gene that is translated into dipeptide repeat polymers. Here we show that proline/arginine repeat polymers derail protein folding by sequestering molecular chaperones. We demonstrate that proline/arginine repeat polymers inhibit the folding catalyst activity of PPIA, an abundant molecular chaperone and prolyl isomerase in the brain that is altered in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NMR spectroscopy reveals that proline/arginine repeat polymers bind to the active site of PPIA. X-ray crystallography determines the atomic structure of a proline/arginine repeat polymer in complex with the prolyl isomerase and defines the molecular basis for the specificity of disease-associated proline/arginine polymer interactions. The combined data establish a toxic mechanism that is specific for proline/arginine dipeptide repeat polymers and leads to derailed protein homeostasis in C9orf72-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

scholarly journals Paraoxonase Role in Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Cadiele Oliana Reichert ◽  
Debora Levy ◽  
Sergio P. Bydlowski
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Structural Homology ◽  
Redox Systems ◽  
Genetic Cluster ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

The human body has biological redox systems capable of preventing or mitigating the damage caused by increased oxidative stress throughout life. One of them are the paraoxonase (PON) enzymes. The PONs genetic cluster is made up of three members (PON1, PON2, PON3) that share a structural homology, located adjacent to chromosome seven. The most studied enzyme is PON1, which is associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL), having paraoxonase, arylesterase and lactonase activities. Due to these characteristics, the enzyme PON1 has been associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we update the knowledge about the association of PON enzymes and their polymorphisms and the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

scholarly journals LanCL1 promotes motor neuron survival and extends the lifespan of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1369-1382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Honglin Tan ◽  
Mina Chen ◽  
Dejiang Pang ◽  
Xiaoqiang Xia ◽  
Chongyangzi Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Survival ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Alternative Mechanism ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Motor Neuron Survival ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Improving neuronal survival in ALS remains a significant challenge. Previously, we identified Lanthionine synthetase C-like protein 1 (LanCL1) as a neuronal antioxidant defense gene, the genetic deletion of which causes apoptotic neurodegeneration in the brain. Here, we report in vivo data using the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS indicating that CNS-specific expression of LanCL1 transgene extends lifespan, delays disease onset, decelerates symptomatic progression, and improves motor performance of SOD1G93A mice. Conversely, CNS-specific deletion of LanCL1 leads to neurodegenerative phenotypes, including motor neuron loss, neuroinflammation, and oxidative damage. Analysis reveals that LanCL1 is a positive regulator of AKT activity, and LanCL1 overexpression restores the impaired AKT activity in ALS model mice. These findings indicate that LanCL1 regulates neuronal survival through an alternative mechanism, and suggest a new therapeutic target in ALS.

Antiapoptotic activity maintenance of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and the C fragment of the tetanus toxin genetic fusion protein

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Ciriza ◽  
Marcos García-Ojeda ◽  
Inmaculada Martín-Burriel ◽  
Cendra Agulhon ◽  
Francisco Miana-Mena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Tetanus Toxin ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Trophic Factors ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Neuro2a Cells ◽  
Genetic Fusion ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractNeurotrophic factors have been widely suggested as a treatment for multiple diseases including motorneuron pathologies, like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. However, clinical trials in which growth factors have been systematically administered to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients have not been effective, owing in part to the short half-life of these factors and their low concentrations at target sites. A possible strategy is the use of the atoxic C fragment of the tetanus toxin as a neurotrophic factor carrier to the motorneurons. The activity of trophic factors should be tested because their genetic fusion to proteins could alter their folding and conformation, thus undermining their neuroprotective properties. For this purpose, in this paper we explored the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) activity maintenance after genetic fusion with the C fragment of the tetanus toxin. We demonstrated that BDNF fused with the C fragment of the tetanus toxin induces the neuronal survival Akt kinase pathway in mouse cortical culture neurons and maintains its antiapoptotic neuronal activity in Neuro2A cells.

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