scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Molecules Involved in Differentiation, Maturation, and Survival of Dopaminergic Neurons in Health and Parkinson’s Disease: Physiological Aspects and Clinical Implications

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 754
Author(s):  
Giulia Gaggi ◽  
Andrea Di Credico ◽  
Pascal Izzicupo ◽  
Giovanni Iannetti ◽  
Angela Di Baldassarre ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by a specific and progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and dopamine, causing motor dysfunctions and impaired movements. Unfortunately, available therapies can partially treat the motor symptoms, but they have no effect on non-motor features. In addition, the therapeutic effect reduces gradually, and the prolonged use of drugs leads to a significative increase in the number of adverse events. For these reasons, an alternative approach that allows the replacement or the improved survival of DA neurons is very appealing for the treatment of PD patients and recently the first human clinical trials for DA neurons replacement have been set up. Here, we review the role of chemical and biological molecules that are involved in the development, survival and differentiation of DA neurons. In particular, we review the chemical small molecules used to differentiate different type of stem cells into DA neurons with high efficiency; the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs both in DA neurons development/survival as far as in the pathogenesis of PD; and, finally, we dissect the potential role of exosomes carrying biological molecules as treatment of PD.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Anaıs Marie ◽  
Morgane Darricau ◽  
Katia Touyarot ◽  
Louise C. Parr-Brownlie ◽  
Clémentine Bosch-Bouju

Evidence shows that altered retinoic acid signaling may contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Retinoic acid is the bioactive derivative of the lipophilic vitamin A. Vitamin A is involved in several important homeostatic processes, such as cell differentiation, antioxidant activity, inflammation and neuronal plasticity. The role of vitamin A and its derivatives in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, and their potential as therapeutics, has drawn attention for more than 10 years. However, the literature sits in disparate fields. Vitamin A could act at the crossroad of multiple environmental and genetic factors of PD. The purpose of this review is to outline what is known about the role of vitamin A metabolism in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PD. We examine key biological systems and mechanisms that are under the control of vitamin A and its derivatives, which are (or could be) exploited for therapeutic potential in PD: the survival of dopaminergic neurons, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, circadian rhythms, homeostasis of the enteric nervous system, and hormonal systems. We focus on the pivotal role of ALDH1A1, an enzyme expressed by dopaminergic neurons for the detoxification of these neurons, which is under the control of retinoic acid. By providing an integrated summary, this review will guide future studies on the potential role of vitamin A in the management of symptoms, health and wellbeing for PD patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (42) ◽  
pp. 4510-4522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biancamaria Longoni ◽  
Irene Fasciani ◽  
Shivakumar Kolachalam ◽  
Ilaria Pietrantoni ◽  
Francesco Marampon ◽  
...  

: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles produced by eukaryotic cells that are also found in most biological fluids and tissues. While they were initially thought to act as compartments for removal of cellular debris, they are now recognized as important tools for cell-to-cell communication and for the transfer of pathogens between the cells. They have attracted particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases for their potential role in transferring prion-like proteins between neurons, and in Parkinson’s disease (PD), they have been shown to spread oligomers of α-synuclein in the brain accelerating the progression of this pathology. A potential neuroprotective role of exosomes has also been equally proposed in PD as they could limit the toxicity of α-synuclein by clearing them out of the cells. Exosomes have also attracted considerable attention for use as drug vehicles. Being nonimmunogenic in nature, they provide an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the delivery of incorporated drugs to target cells. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about the potential neurotoxic and neuroprotective role of exosomes and their potential application as drug delivery systems in PD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 896 ◽  
pp. 173914
Author(s):  
Omidvar Rezaei ◽  
Saeedeh Nateghinia ◽  
Mehrdad A. Estiar ◽  
Mohammad Taheri ◽  
Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard

RSC Advances ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (95) ◽  
pp. 77706-77715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supinder Kaur ◽  
Aamir Nazir

Studies employing transgenicC. elegansmodel show that trehalose, a protein stabilizer, alleviates manifestations associated with Parkinson's diseaseviaits inherent activity and through induction of autophagic machinery.


2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 256-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinhua Chen ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
Jiali Pu

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. The pathogenesis of PD is not fully understood but is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Several genes are associated with the onset and progression of familial PD. There is increasing evidence that leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) plays a significant role in PD pathophysiology. Summary: Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the functions of LRRK2 and identify effective LRRK2 inhibitors for PD treatment. In this review, we discuss the role of LRRK2 in PD and recent progress in the use of LRRK2 inhibitors as therapeutic agents. Key Messages: LRRK2 plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of PD, and pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 has become one of the most promising potential therapies for PD. Further research is warranted to determine the functions of LRRK2 and expand the applications of LRRK2 inhibitors in PD treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (514) ◽  
pp. eaau6870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena F. Burbulla ◽  
Sohee Jeon ◽  
Jianbin Zheng ◽  
Pingping Song ◽  
Richard B. Silverman ◽  
...  

Mutations in the GBA1 gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) represent the most common risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). GCase has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for PD and current efforts are focused on chemical chaperones to translocate mutant GCase into lysosomes. However, for several GBA1-linked forms of PD and PD associated with mutations in LRRK2, DJ-1, and PARKIN, activating wild-type GCase represents an alternative approach. We developed a new small-molecule modulator of GCase called S-181 that increased wild-type GCase activity in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons from sporadic PD patients, as well as patients carrying the 84GG mutation in GBA1, or mutations in LRRK2, DJ-1, or PARKIN who had decreased GCase activity. S-181 treatment of these PD iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons partially restored lysosomal function and lowered accumulation of oxidized dopamine, glucosylceramide and α-synuclein. Moreover, S-181 treatment of mice heterozygous for the D409V GBA1 mutation (Gba1D409V/+) resulted in activation of wild-type GCase and consequent reduction of GCase lipid substrates and α-synuclein in mouse brain tissue. Our findings point to activation of wild-type GCase by small-molecule modulators as a potential therapeutic approach for treating familial and sporadic forms of PD that exhibit decreased GCase activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suh Yee Goh ◽  
Yin Xia Chao ◽  
Shaikali Thameem Dheen ◽  
Eng-King Tan ◽  
Samuel Sam-Wah Tay

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disease that manifests with resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability. Since the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in 1993, miRNAs have been shown to be important biological molecules involved in diverse processes to maintain normal cellular functions. Over the past decade, many studies have reported dysregulation of miRNA expressions in PD. Here, we identified 15 miRNAs from 34 reported screening studies that demonstrated dysregulation in the brain and/or neuronal models, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Specific miRNAs-of-interest that have been implicated in PD pathogenesis include miR-30, miR-29, let-7, miR-485 and miR-26. However, there are several challenges and limitations in drawing definitive conclusions due to the small sample size in clinical studies, varied laboratory techniques and methodologies and their incomplete penetrance of the blood–brain barrier. Developing an optimal delivery system and unravelling druggable targets of miRNAs in both experimental and human models and clinical validation of the results may pave way for novel therapeutics in PD.


2002 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 793-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Honglei Chen ◽  
Shumin M. Zhang ◽  
Miguel A. Hernán ◽  
Walter C. Willett ◽  
Alberto Ascherio

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