scholarly journals To be or not to be pink(1): contradictory findings in an animal model for Parkinson’s disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ria de Haas ◽  
Lisa C M W Heltzel ◽  
Denise Tax ◽  
Petra van den Broek ◽  
Hilbert Steenbreker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
In Vivo Microdialysis ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Motor Deficits

Abstract The PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 knockout rat (Pink1−/−) is marketed as an established model for Parkinson’s disease, characterized by development of motor deficits and progressive degeneration of half the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta by 8 months of age. In this study, we address our concerns about the reproducibility of the Pink1−/− rat model. We evaluated behavioural function, number of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and extracellular striatal dopamine concentrations by in vivo microdialysis. Strikingly, we and others failed to observe any loss of dopaminergic neurons in 8-month-old male Pink1−/− rats. To understand this variability, we compared key experimental parameters from the different studies and provide explanations for contradictory findings. Although Pink1−/− rats developed behavioural deficits, these could not be attributed to nigrostriatal degeneration as there was no loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and no changes in neurotransmitter levels in the striatum. To maximize the benefit of Parkinson’s disease research and limit the unnecessary use of laboratory animals, it is essential that the research community is aware of the limits of this animal model. Additional research is needed to identify reasons for inconsistency between Pink1−/− rat colonies and why degeneration in the substantia nigra is not consistent.

scholarly journals Co-Expression of Nogo-A in Dopaminergic Neurons of the Human Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta Is Reduced in Parkinson’s Disease

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3368
Author(s):  
Gian-Carlo Eyer ◽  
Stefano Di Santo ◽  
Ekkehard Hewer ◽  
Lukas Andereggen ◽  
Stefanie Seiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Collaborative Effort ◽  
Tissue Micro Array ◽  
Progressive Loss ◽  
Micro Array

Parkinson’s disease is mainly characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Together with the small number, the high vulnerability of the dopaminergic neurons is a major pathogenic culprit of Parkinson’s disease. Our previous findings of a higher survival of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra co-expressing Nogo-A in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease suggested that Nogo-A may be associated with dopaminergic neurons resilience against Parkinson’s disease neurodegeneration. In the present study, we have addressed the expression of Nogo-A in the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in postmortem specimens of diseased and non-diseased subjects of different ages. For this purpose, in a collaborative effort we developed a tissue micro array (TMA) that allows for simultaneous staining of many samples in a single run. Interestingly, and in contrast to the observations gathered during normal aging and in the animal model of Parkinson’s disease, increasing age was significantly associated with a lower co-expression of Nogo-A in nigral dopaminergic neurons of patients with Parkinson’s disease. In sum, while Nogo-A expression in dopaminergic neurons is higher with increasing age, the opposite is the case in Parkinson’s disease. These observations suggest that Nogo-A might play a substantial role in the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.

scholarly journals p38-TFEB pathways promote microglia activation through inhibiting CMA-mediated NLRP3 degradation in Parkinson's disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialong Chen ◽  
Kanmin Mao ◽  
Honglin Yu ◽  
Yue Wen ◽  
Hua She ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Microglia Activation ◽  
Microglial Cells ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Chaperone Mediated Autophagy

Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), accompanied by accumulation of α-synuclein, chronic neuroinflammation and autophagy dysfunction. Previous studies suggested that misfolded α-synuclein induces the inflammatory response and autophagy dysfunction in microglial cells. The NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the neuroinflammatory process in the central nervous system. However, the relationship between autophagy deficiency and NLRP3 activation induced by α-synuclein accumulation is not well understood. Methods Through immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, ELISA and behavioral tests, we investigated the role of p38-TFEB-NLRP3 signaling pathways on neuroinflammation in the α-synuclein A53T PD models. Results Our results showed that increased protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 in the α-synuclein A53T PD models. P38 is activated by overexpression of α-synuclein A53T mutant, which inhibited the master transcriptional activator of autophagy TFEB. And we found that NLRP3 was degraded by chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in microglial cells. Furthermore, p38-TFEB pathways inhibited CMA-mediated NLRP3 degradation in Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of p38 had a protective effect on Parkinson's disease model via suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Moreover, both p38 inhibitor SB203580 and NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 not only prevented neurodegeneration in vivo, but also alleviated movement impairment in α-synuclein A53T-tg mice model of Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion Our research reveals p38-TFEB pathways promote microglia activation through inhibiting CMA-mediated NLRP3 degradation in Parkinson's disease, which could be a potential therapeutic strategy for PD. Graphical abstract p38-TFEB pathways promote microglia activation through inhibiting CMA-mediated NLRP3 degradation in Parkinson's disease. In this model, p38 activates NLRP3 inflammasome via inhibiting TFEB in microglia. TFEB signaling negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome through increasing LAMP2A expression, which binds to NLRP3 and promotes its degradation via chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). NLRP3-mediated microglial activation promotes the death of dopaminergic neurons.

scholarly journals The Nrf2-NLRP3-Caspase1 axis mediates the neuroprotective effects of Celastrol in Parkinson's disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenyu Zhang ◽  
Miao Zhao ◽  
Bingwei Wang ◽  
Zhijie Su ◽  
Bingbing Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Inflammasome Activation ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpene ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Neuroprotective Actions

Abstract Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), accompanied by chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and widespread accumulation of α-synuclein. Celastrol (Cel), a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pentacyclic triterpene, has emerged as a neuroprotective agent. However, the mechanisms by which celastrol is neuroprotective in PD has not yet been elucidated. Methods: The MPTP and AAV-mediated human wild-type α-syn overexpression within SNc induced PD mouse models were employed in this study. By using multiple genetically modified mice (Nrf2-KO, NLRP3-KO and Caspase1-KO), we identified that celastrol effectively inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, mitigated motor deficits and nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration through Nrf2-NLRP3-Caspase1 pathway. Results: Here we show that celastrol protected against the loss of dopaminergic neurons, mitigated the neuroinflammation and motor deficits in both MPTP-induced PD mouse model and AAV-mediated human α-syn overexpression PD model. Whole-genome deep sequencing analysis reveals that Nrf2, NLRP3 and Caspase1 in SNc may be associated with the neuroprotective actions of celastrol in PD. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Nrf2-NLRP3-Caspase1 axis may be a key target of celastrol in PD treatment, and highlight the favorable properties linked to neuroprotection of celastrol, making celastrol as a promising disease-modifying agent for PD.

scholarly journals Gender biased neuroprotective effect of Transferrin Receptor 2 deletion in multiple models of Parkinson’s disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Milanese ◽  
Sylvia Gabriels ◽  
Sander Barnhoorn ◽  
Silvia Cerri ◽  
Ayse Ulusoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Iron Overload ◽  
Transferrin Receptor ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Transferrin Receptor 2

AbstractAlterations in the metabolism of iron and its accumulation in the substantia nigra pars compacta accompany the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Changes in iron homeostasis also occur during aging, which constitutes a PD major risk factor. As such, mitigation of iron overload via chelation strategies has been considered a plausible disease modifying approach. Iron chelation, however, is imperfect because of general undesired side effects and lack of specificity; more effective approaches would rely on targeting distinctive pathways responsible for iron overload in brain regions relevant to PD and, in particular, the substantia nigra. We have previously demonstrated that the Transferrin/Transferrin Receptor 2 (TfR2) iron import mechanism functions in nigral dopaminergic neurons, is perturbed in PD models and patients, and therefore constitutes a potential therapeutic target to halt iron accumulation. To validate this hypothesis, we generated mice with targeted deletion of TfR2 in dopaminergic neurons. In these animals, we modeled PD with multiple approaches, based either on neurotoxin exposure or alpha-synuclein proteotoxic mechanisms. We found that TfR2 deletion can provide neuroprotection against dopaminergic degeneration, and against PD- and aging-related iron overload. The effects, however, were significantly more pronounced in females rather than in males. Our data indicate that the TfR2 iron import pathway represents an amenable strategy to hamper PD progression. Data also suggest, however, that therapeutic strategies targeting TfR2 should consider a potential sexual dimorphism in neuroprotective response.

scholarly journals Enhanced Hexokinase 2 Expression and Lactate Production Promote The Apoptosis of Dopaminergic Neurons in Parkinson’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyi Li ◽  
Longmin Chen ◽  
Qixiong Qin ◽  
Danlei Wang ◽  
Jingwei Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Lactate Production ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Hexokinase 2 ◽  
Lactate Levels

Abstract Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by impaired mitochondrial function and decreased ATP levels. Glycolysis is upregulated and lactate production is enhanced in PD. Since lactate promotes apoptosis and α-synuclein accumulation in neurons, we hypothesized that the increased lactate resulted from upregulated glycolysis is involved in the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in PD.Methods: We examined the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the key enzymes in glycolysis, and lactate levels in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of MPTP-induced mouse model of PD and in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. We investigated the role of HK2, lactate and AMPK pathway in the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons by intervened with 3-Brpa, the HK2 inhibitor, in in vivo and in vitro systems.Results: We found that the expression of HK2 and LDHA, and lactate levels were markedly increased in brain SNpc of MPTP-treated mouse and in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the mouse model and the apoptosis of the SH-SY5Y in vitro system were increased. Intriguingly, using HK2 inhibitor or siRNA can decrease the lactate levels and suppressed the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, lactate increased the activity of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), and suppressed the phosphorylation of serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Conclusion：Inhibition of HK2 ameliorate the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons through downregulating the lactate production and AMPK/ Akt/ mTOR pathway activation in PD.

scholarly journals Treating Parkinson’s disease by astrocyte reprogramming: Progress and challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (26) ◽  
pp. eabg3198
Author(s):  
Zhuang-Yao D. Wei ◽  
Ashok K. Shetty
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Nonmotor Symptoms ◽  
Axonal Projections ◽  
Potential Risks

Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, is typified by both motor and nonmotor symptoms. The current medications provide symptomatic relief but do not stimulate the production of new dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Astrocyte reprogramming has recently received much attention as an avenue for increasing functional dopaminergic neurons in the mouse PD brain. By targeting a microRNA (miRNA) loop, astrocytes in the mouse brain could be reprogrammed into functional dopaminergic neurons. Such in vivo astrocyte reprogramming in the mouse model of PD has successfully added new dopaminergic neurons to the substantia nigra and increased dopamine levels associated with axonal projections into the striatum. This review deliberates the astrocyte reprogramming methods using specific transcription factors and mRNAs and the progress in generating dopaminergic neurons in vivo. In addition, the translational potential, challenges, and potential risks of astrocyte reprogramming for an enduring alleviation of parkinsonian symptoms are conferred.

scholarly journals Relationship between neuromelanin and dopamine terminals within the Parkinson’s nigrostriatal system

Brain ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (7) ◽  
pp. 2023-2036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Martín-Bastida ◽  
Nicholas P Lao-Kaim ◽  
Andreas Antonios Roussakis ◽  
Graham E Searle ◽  
Yue Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Dopamine Transporter ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Affected Side

Abstract Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the progressive loss of pigmented dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and associated striatal deafferentation. Neuromelanin content is thought to reflect the loss of pigmented neurons, but available data characterizing its relationship with striatal dopaminergic integrity are not comprehensive or consistent, and predominantly involve heterogeneous samples. In this cross-sectional study, we used neuromelanin-sensitive MRI and the highly specific dopamine transporter PET radioligand, 11C-PE2I, to assess the association between neuromelanin-containing cell levels in the substantia nigra pars compacta and nigrostriatal terminal density in vivo, in 30 patients with bilateral Parkinson’s disease. Fifteen healthy control subjects also underwent neuromelanin-sensitive imaging. We used a novel approach taking into account the anatomical and functional subdivision of substantia nigra into dorsal and ventral tiers and striatal nuclei into pre- and post-commissural subregions, in accordance with previous animal and post-mortem studies, and consider the clinically asymmetric disease presentation. In vivo, Parkinson’s disease subjects displayed reduced neuromelanin levels in the ventral (−30 ± 28%) and dorsal tiers (−21 ± 24%) as compared to the control group [F(1,43) = 11.95, P = 0.001]. Within the Parkinson’s disease group, nigral pigmentation was lower in the ventral tier as compared to the dorsal tier [F(1,29) = 36.19, P < 0.001] and lower in the clinically-defined most affected side [F(1,29) = 4.85, P = 0.036]. Similarly, lower dopamine transporter density was observed in the ventral tier [F(1,29) = 76.39, P < 0.001] and clinically-defined most affected side [F(1,29) = 4.21, P = 0.049]. Despite similar patterns, regression analysis showed no significant association between nigral pigmentation and nigral dopamine transporter density. However, for the clinically-defined most affected side, significant relationships were observed between pigmentation of the ventral nigral tier with striatal dopamine transporter binding in pre-commissural and post-commissural striatal subregions known to receive nigrostriatal projections from this tier, while the dorsal tier correlated with striatal projection sites in the pre-commissural striatum (P < 0.05, Benjamini-Hochberg corrected). In contrast, there were no statistically significant relationships between these two measures in the clinically-defined least affected side. These findings provide important insights into the topography of nigrostriatal neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, indicating that the characteristics of disease progression may fundamentally differ across hemispheres and support post-mortem data showing asynchrony in the loss of neuromelanin-containing versus tyrosine hydroxylase positive nigral cells.

scholarly journals DNAJB6 Suppresses Alpha-synuclein Induced Pathology in an Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sertan Arkan ◽  
Mårten Ljungberg ◽  
Deniz Kirik ◽  
Christian Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Dopaminergic Cell ◽  
Knock Out

Abstract Background: α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation can lead to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta ( SNpc ) as invariably observed in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The co-chaperone DNAJB6 has previously been found to be expressed at higher levels in PD patients than in control subjects and was also found in Lewy bodies. Our previous experiments showed that knock out of DNAJB6 induced α-syn aggregation in cellular level. However, effects of overexpression of DNAJB6 against α-syn aggregation remains to be investigated. Methods: we used to α-syn CFP/YFP HEK293 FRET cell line to investigate the effects of overexpression of DNAJB6 in cellular level. α-syn aggregation was induced by transfection α-syn preformed fibrils (PPF), then was measured FRET analysis. We proceeded to investigate if DNAJB6b can impair α-syn aggregation and toxicity in an animal model and used adeno associated vira (AAV6) designed to overexpress of human wt α-syn, GFP-DNAJB6 or GFP in rats. These vectors were injected into the SNpc of the rats, unilaterally. Rats injected with vira to express α-syn along with GFP in the SNpc where compared to rats expressing α-syn and GFP-DNAJB6. We evaluated motor functions, dopaminergic cell death, phosphorylated α-syn in SNpc and axonal degeneration in striatum. Results : We show that DNAJB6 prevent α-syn aggregation induced by α-syn PFF’s, in a cell culture model. Also, we observed α-syn overexpression caused dopaminergic cell death and that this was strongly reduced by co-expression of DNAJB6b. In addition, the lesion caused by α-syn overexpression resulted in behavior deficits, which increased over time as seen in stepping test, which was rescued by co-expression of DNAJB6b. Moreover, we observed an increase in serine 129 (S129) phosphorylated α-syn in SNpc of rats overexpressing α-syn, that was lowered by DNAJB6 co-expression. Conclusion : We here demonstrate for the first time that DNAJB6 is a strong suppressor of α-syn aggregation in cells and in animals and that this results in a suppression of dopaminergic cell death and PD related motor deficits in an animal model of PD. Keywords: Protein homeostasis, Parkinson`s Disease, Alpha-synuclein, Adeno Associated Virus, DNAJB6, Heat Shock Protein 70

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