Biological Evaluation of 8-Hydroxyquinolines as Multi-Target Directed Ligands for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 801-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damijan Knez ◽  
Izidor Sosič ◽  
Anja Pišlar ◽  
Ana Mitrović ◽  
Marko Jukič ◽  
...  

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that multi-target directed ligands have great potential for the treatment of complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Objective: To evaluate novel chimeric 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands with merged pharmacophores as potential multifunctional ligands for AD. Methods: Nitroxoline, PBT2 and compounds 2-4 were evaluated in-vitro for their inhibitory potencies on cathepsin B, cholinesterases, and monoamine oxidases. Furthermore, chelation, antioxidative properties and the permeability of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) were evaluated by spectroscopy-based assays and the inhibition of Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation was determined in immunoassay. Cell-based assays were performed to determine cytotoxicity, neuroprotection against toxic Aβ species, and the effects of compound 2 on apoptotic cascade. Results: Compounds 2-4 competitively inhibited cathepsin B β-secretase activity, chelated metal ions and were weak antioxidants. All of the compounds inhibited Aβ aggregation, whereas only compound 2 had a good BBB permeability according to the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. Tested ligands 2 and 3 were not cytotoxic to SH-SY5Y and HepG2 cells at 10 μM. Compound 2 exerted neuroprotective effects towards Aβ toxicity, reduced the activation of caspase-3/7 and diminished the apoptosis of cells treated with Aβ1-42. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that compound 2 holds a promise to be used as a multifunctional ligand for AD.

BMC Chemistry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajar Karimi Askarani ◽  
Aida Iraji ◽  
Arezoo Rastegari ◽  
Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari ◽  
Omidreza Firuzi ◽  
...  

Abstract To discover multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a new series of 1,2,3-triazole-chromenone derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the multi target-directed ligands approach. The in vitro biological activities included acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition as well as anti-Aβ aggregation, neuroprotective effects, and metal-chelating properties. The results indicated a highly selective BuChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 21.71 μM for compound 10h as the most potent compound. Besides, compound 10h could inhibit self-induced Aβ1–42 aggregation and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation with 32.6% and 29.4% inhibition values, respectively. The Lineweaver–Burk plot and molecular modeling study showed that compound 10h targeted both the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of BuChE. It should be noted that compound 10h was able to chelate biometals. Thus, the designed scaffold could be considered as multifunctional agents in AD drug discovery developments.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Deregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers, crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain.Methods: The plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno associated virus (AAV) in a familial mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction animal were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety and locomotion. At week twelve brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression and/or immunoassay.Results: Here, we report that CERTL, binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male transgenic mice, modelling familial AD (5xFAD). CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion and decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone M. Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo A.A. Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Dysregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers which are crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain. Methods A plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno-associated virus (AAV) in a mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety, and locomotion. At week 12, brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques, and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression, and/or immunoassay. Results Here, we report that CERTL binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation, and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, decreases Aβ formation, and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype. Conclusion Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo A.A. Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dysregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers which are crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain.Methods: A plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno associated virus (AAV) in a mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety and locomotion. At week twelve, brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression and/or immunoassay.Results: Here, we report that CERTL, binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1301
Author(s):  
George Tetz ◽  
Victor Tetz

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with prion-like aggregation of the amyloid β (Aβ) peptide and the subsequent accumulation of misfolded neurotoxic aggregates in the brain. Therefore, it is critical to clearly identify the factors that trigger the cascade of Aβ misfolding and aggregation. Numerous studies have pointed out the association between microorganisms and their virulence factors and Alzheimer’s disease; however, their exact mechanisms of action remain unclear. Recently, we discovered a new pathogenic role of bacterial extracellular DNA, triggering the formation of misfolded Tau aggregates. In this study, we investigated the possible role of DNA extracted from different bacterial and eukaryotic cells in triggering Aβ aggregation in vitro. Interestingly, we found that the extracellular DNA of some, but not all, bacteria is an effective trigger of Aβ aggregation. Furthermore, the acceleration of Aβ nucleation and elongation can vary based on the concentration of the bacterial DNA and the bacterial strain from which this DNA had originated. Our findings suggest that bacterial extracellular DNA might play a previously overlooked role in the Aβ protein misfolding associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Moreover, it highlights a new mechanism of how distantly localized bacteria can remotely contribute to protein misfolding and diseases associated with this process. These findings might lead to the use of bacterial DNA as a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (16) ◽  
pp. 5225-5230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Sheng Jiao ◽  
Xiu-Qing Yao ◽  
Yu-Hui Liu ◽  
Qing-Hua Wang ◽  
Fan Zeng ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of most devastating diseases affecting elderly people. Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and the downstream pathological events such as oxidative stress play critical roles in pathogenesis of AD. Lessons from failures of current clinical trials suggest that targeting multiple key pathways of the AD pathogenesis is necessary to halt the disease progression. Here we show that Edaravone, a free radical scavenger that is marketed for acute ischemic stroke, has a potent capacity of inhibiting Aβ aggregation and attenuating Aβ-induced oxidation in vitro. When given before or after the onset of Aβ deposition via i.p. injection, Edaravone substantially reduces Aβ deposition, alleviates oxidative stress, attenuates the downstream pathologies including Tau hyperphosphorylation, glial activation, neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, synaptic dysfunction, and rescues the behavioral deficits of APPswe/PS1 mice. Oral administration of Edaravone also ameliorates the AD-like pathologies and memory deficits of the mice. These findings suggest that Edaravone holds a promise as a therapeutic agent for AD by targeting multiple key pathways of the disease pathogenesis.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1658
Author(s):  
Fausto Queda ◽  
Sonia Calò ◽  
Karolina Gwizdala ◽  
João D. Magalhães ◽  
Sandra M. Cardoso ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most devastating neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by multiple pathological features. Therefore, multi-target drug discovery has been one of the most active fields searching for new effective anti-AD therapies. Herein, a series of hybrid compounds are reported which were designed and developed by combining an aryl-sulfonamide function with a benzyl-piperidine moiety, the pharmacophore of donepezil (a current anti-AD acetylcholinesterase AChE inhibitor drug) or its benzyl-piperazine analogue. The in vitro results indicate that some of these hybrids achieve optimized activity towards two main AD targets, by displaying excellent AChE inhibitory potencies, as well as the capability to prevent amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation. Some of these hybrids also prevented Aβ-induced cell toxicity. Significantly, drug-like properties were predicted, including for blood-brain permeability. Compound 9 emerged as a promising multi-target lead compound (AChE inhibition (IC50 1.6 μM); Aβ aggregation inhibition 60.7%). Overall, this family of hybrids is worthy of further exploration, due to the wide biological activity of sulfonamides.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dysregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers, crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain.Methods: The plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno associated virus (AAV) in a familial mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety and locomotion. At week twelve, brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression and/or immunoassay.Results: Here, we report that CERTL, binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajar Karimi Askarani ◽  
Aida Iraji ◽  
Arezoo Rastegari ◽  
Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari ◽  
Omidreza Firuzi ◽  
...  

Abstract To discover multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a new series of 1,2,3-triazole-chromenone derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the multi target-directed ligands approach. The in vitro biological activities were evaluated including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butylcholinesterase (BuChE), and Aβ1−42 aggregation inhibition as well as neuroprotective effects and metal-chelating properties. The results indicated highly selective BuChE inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 21.71 µM for compound 10 h as the most potent compound. Besides, compound 10 h could inhibit self-induced Aβ1−42 aggregation and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation with 32.6% and 29.4% inhibition value, respectively. A Lineweaver–Burk plot and molecular modeling study also showed that compound 10 h targeted both the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of BuChE. It should be noted that compound 10 h was potent as a selective Cu2+ chelator. Thus, the designed scaffold could be considered as multifunctional agents for AD drug discovery developments.


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