The Role of Alpha-Synuclein in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Potential Target for New Treatment Strategies?

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 218-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Windisch ◽  
H. Wolf ◽  
B. Hutter-Paier ◽  
R. Wronski
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Potential Target ◽  
New Treatment

scholarly journals Silencing of MEG3 attenuated the role of lipopolysaccharides by modulating the miR-93-5p/PTEN pathway in Leydig cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Zhou ◽  
Jingliang He ◽  
Jinbo Chen ◽  
Yu Cui ◽  
Zhenyu Ou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Pten Expression ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Lps Treatment

Abstract Background Leydig cells reflect the activation of inflammation, decrease of androgen production, inhibition of cell growth and promotion of cell apoptosis under orchitis. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) exerts a crucial role in various human diseases, but under orchitis, the role and underlying molecular mechanism of MEG3 in Leydig cells remain unclear. Methods Lipofectamine 2000 was used for the cell transfections. qPCR and western blots assay were applied to assess the gene expression. ELISA assay was used to measure the TNFα, IL6 and testosterone secretion. CCK8 and EdU assay was employ to test the cell viability and proliferation respectively. Luciferase reporter and RIP assay were introduced to detect the binding of miR-93-5p with MEG3 and PTEN. Results Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced TNFα and IL6 secretion, lowered testosterone production, inhibited cell viability and proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis in Leydig cells. MEG3 was upregulated in Leydig cells treated with LPS and that knockdown of MEG3 inhibited the role of LPS in Leydig cells. MEG3 absorbed miR-93-5p and that suppression of miR-93-5p restored the role of silenced MEG3 in Leydig cells under LPS treatment. miR-93-5p inhibited PTEN expression and that over-expressed PTEN alleviated the effect of miR-93-5p in Leydig cells treated with LPS. LPS activated the MEG3/miR-93-5p/PTEN signalling pathway in Leydig cells. Conclusions This study revealed that MEG3 serves as a molecular sponge to absorb miR-93-5p, thus leading to elevation of PTEN expression in Leydig cells under LPS treatment, offering a theoretical basis on which to establish potential new treatment strategies for orchitis.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles: A Possible Link between HIV and Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathology in HIV Subjects?

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunitha Kodidela ◽  
Kelli Gerth ◽  
Sanjana Haque ◽  
Yuqing Gong ◽  
Saifudeen Ismael ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Progressive Dementia ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
New Treatment

The longevity of people with HIV/AIDS has been prolonged with the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The age-related complications, especially cognitive deficits, rise as HIV patients live longer. Deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ), a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), has been observed in subjects with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Various mechanisms such as neuroinflammation induced by HIV proteins (e.g., Tat, gp120, Nef), excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and the use of ART contribute to the deposition of Aβ, leading to dementia. However, progressive dementia in older subjects with HIV might be due to HAND, AD, or both. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs)/exosomes, have gained recognition for their importance in understanding the pathology of both HAND and AD. EVs can serve as a possible link between HIV and AD, due to their ability to package and transport the toxic proteins implicated in both AD and HIV (Aβ/tau and gp120/tat, respectively). Given that Aß is also elevated in neuron-derived exosomes isolated from the plasma of HIV patients, it is reasonable to suggest that neuron-to-neuron exosomal transport of Aβ and tau also contributes to AD-like pathology in HIV-infected subjects. Therefore, exploring exosomal contents is likely to help distinguish HAND from AD. However, future prospective clinical studies need to be conducted to compare the exosomal contents in the plasma of HIV subjects with and without HAND as well as those with and without AD. This would help to find new markers and develop new treatment strategies to treat AD in HIV-positive subjects. This review presents comprehensive literatures on the mechanisms contributing to Aβ deposition in HIV-infected cells, the role of EVs in the propagation of Aβ in AD, the possible role of EVs in HIV-induced AD-like pathology, and finally, possible therapeutic targets or molecules to treat HIV subjects with AD.

Molecular Pathways of Ischemic Stroke and Advanced Therapeutic Strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti Singh
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Permanent Disability ◽  
Acute Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Tremendous Progress ◽  
New Treatment

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and permanent disability. This disease may affect any age group and especially in old age and pregnancy. All the responsible mechanisms are yet not completely understood. There is limited therapeutic intervention beyond prevention, yet tremendous progress in understanding cause of stroke at molecular level has been going on. A lot of advancement has occurred in the prevention and treatment of stroke during the past decade. In this review an update work of causeways of stroke and its therapeutic approaches have been discussed. The relevance of excitotoxicity (role of glutamate receptor), inflammation, ischemic penumbra, apoptosis, to delayed mechanisms and, damage and treatment strategies have been hasted out. Although the results among clinical studies, conflict regarding several experimental data of different therapies, and it may improve neurological outcome after acute cerebral ischemia. Along this several other interventions and new technologies such as stroke detector microwave helmet are being assessed and many other advanced techniques developed by researchers. Even the development of other novel and new treatment strategies (regarding molecular pathways and risk to benefit therapeutic ratio) for stroke are still required in future for better treatment.

The role of methylglyoxal and the glyoxalase system in diabetes and other age-related diseases

2015 ◽  
Vol 128 (12) ◽  
pp. 839-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dionne E.M. Maessen ◽  
Coen D.A. Stehouwer ◽  
Casper G. Schalkwijk
Keyword(s):  
Advanced Glycation Endproducts ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Glyoxalase System ◽  
Dicarbonyl Compound ◽  
Glycation Endproducts ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
New Treatment

The formation and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are related to diabetes and other age-related diseases. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, is the major precursor in the formation of AGEs. MGO is mainly formed as a byproduct of glycolysis. Under physiological circumstances, MGO is detoxified by the glyoxalase system into D-lactate, with glyoxalase I (GLO1) as the key enzyme in the anti-glycation defence. New insights indicate that increased levels of MGO and the major MGO-derived AGE, methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone 1 (MG-H1), and dysfunctioning of the glyoxalase system are linked to several age-related health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and disorders of the central nervous system. The present review summarizes the mechanisms through which MGO is formed, its detoxification by the glyoxalase system and its effect on biochemical pathways in relation to the development of age-related diseases. Although several scavengers of MGO have been developed over the years, therapies to treat MGO-associated complications are not yet available for application in clinical practice. Small bioactive inducers of GLO1 can potentially form the basis for new treatment strategies for age-related disorders in which MGO plays a pivotal role.

scholarly journals Alpha-Synuclein Post-translational Modifications: Implications for Pathogenesis of Lewy Body Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson de Oliveira Manzanza ◽  
Lucia Sedlackova ◽  
Raj N. Kalaria
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Lewy Body ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Lewy Neurites ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Neurodegenerative Dementias

Lewy Body Disorders (LBDs) lie within the spectrum of age-related neurodegenerative diseases now frequently categorized as the synucleinopathies. LBDs are considered to be among the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementias after Alzheimer's disease. They are progressive conditions with variable clinical symptoms embodied within specific cognitive and behavioral disorders. There are currently no effective treatments for LBDs. LBDs are histopathologically characterized by the presence of abnormal neuronal inclusions commonly known as Lewy Bodies (LBs) and extracellular Lewy Neurites (LNs). The inclusions predominantly comprise aggregates of alpha-synuclein (aSyn). It has been proposed that post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as aSyn phosphorylation, ubiquitination SUMOylation, Nitration, o-GlcNacylation, and Truncation play important roles in the formation of toxic forms of the protein, which consequently facilitates the formation of these inclusions. This review focuses on the role of different PTMs in aSyn in the pathogenesis of LBDs. We highlight how these PTMs interact with aSyn to promote misfolding and aggregation and interplay with cell membranes leading to the potential functional and pathogenic consequences detected so far, and their involvement in the development of LBDs.

scholarly journals Role of fatty acids in inflammation, atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders and gout

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
M. A. Gromova ◽  
V. V. Tsurko ◽  
O. A. Kislyak ◽  
E. V. Kiseleva
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Endothelial Activation ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Membrane Phospholipids ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Urate Crystals

Fatty acids (FA) are present in all types of organisms and play an important role in energy metabolism. The length and number of double bonds in the FA of membrane phospholipids determine the viscosity, the activity of transport systems and enzymes, and also the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. The review discusses the influence of free unsaturated FAs with short and long chains on various inflammatory mechanisms, including atherosclerosis. It has been shown that FAs can reduce endothelial activation and affect the metabolism of eicosanoids. A new model of fundamental factors determining the variability of the timing, degree and duration of acute inflammatory reactions in the deposition of urate crystals in tissues, in which FAs play an important role is considered, using gout as an example. In the future, the study of FAs will expand the understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic inflammation in various diseases, metabolic disorders and atherosclerosis and enable the development of new treatment strategies. 

scholarly journals Brain-Spleen Inflammatory Coupling: A Literature Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Rasouli ◽  
Rukmani Lekhraj ◽  
Mihran Ozbalik ◽  
Parviz Lalezari ◽  
Diana Casper
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Parasympathetic Nervous System ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Splenic Macrophages ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Recent evidence suggests a link between brain injury and the autonomic release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by resident macrophages in the spleen. This phenomenon, termed “brainspleen inflammatory coupling,” has garnered attention from scientific and medical communities interested in developing novel treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cholinergic stimulation of the α7-subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7NAchR) on splenic macrophages has been shown to inhibit their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This inhibition, mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, has been shown to improve outcomes in animal models of sepsis, stroke, and TBI. As evidence of a beneficial role of splenic inhibition grows, new treatment strategies might be applied to many medical conditions involving neuroinflammation, a process that contributes to further neurological deterioration.

scholarly journals Loss of muscle strength during sepsis is in part regulated by glucocorticoids and is associated with reduced muscle fiber stiffness

2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (10) ◽  
pp. R1090-R1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nima Alamdari ◽  
Gianluca Toraldo ◽  
Zaira Aversa ◽  
Ira Smith ◽  
Estibaliz Castillero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Muscle Fiber ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Cecal Ligation ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Skinned Muscle ◽  
Cross Bridges ◽  
New Treatment

Sepsis is associated with impaired muscle function but the role of glucocorticoids in sepsis-induced muscle weakness is not known. We tested the role of glucocorticoids in sepsis-induced muscle weakness by treating septic rats with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486. In addition, normal rats were treated with dexamethasone to further examine the role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of muscle strength. Sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture, and muscle force generation (peak twitch and tetanic tension) was determined in lower extremity muscles. In other experiments, absolute and specific force as well as stiffness (reflecting the function of actomyosin cross bridges) were determined in isolated skinned muscle fibers from control and septic rats. Sepsis and treatment with dexamethasone resulted in reduced maximal twitch and tetanic force in intact isolated extensor digitorum longus muscles. The absolute and specific maximal force in isolated muscle fibers was reduced during sepsis together with decreased fiber stiffness. These effects of sepsis were blunted (but not abolished) by RU38486. The results suggest that muscle weakness during sepsis is at least in part regulated by glucocorticoids and reflects loss of contractility at the cellular (individual muscle fiber) level. In addition, the results suggest that reduced function of the cross bridges between actin and myosin (documented as reduced muscle fiber stiffness) may be involved in sepsis-induced muscle weakness. An increased understanding of mechanisms involved in loss of muscle strength will be important for the development of new treatment strategies in patients with this debilitating consequence of sepsis.

scholarly journals Chondrosarcoma-From Molecular Pathology to Novel Therapies

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2390
Author(s):  
Agnieszka E. Zając ◽  
Sylwia Kopeć ◽  
Bartłomiej Szostakowski ◽  
Mateusz J. Spałek ◽  
Michał Fiedorowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Histological Grade ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Bone Sarcoma ◽  
Tumor Subtype ◽  
Immunohistochemical Markers ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Common Primary Malignant Bone

Chondrosarcoma (CHS) is the second most common primary malignant bone sarcoma. Overall survival and prognosis of this tumor are various and often extreme, depending on histological grade and tumor subtype. CHS treatment is difficult, and surgery remains still the gold standard due to the resistance of this tumor to other therapeutic options. Considering the role of differentiation of CHS subtypes and the need to develop new treatment strategies, in this review, we introduced a multidisciplinary characterization of CHS from its pathology to therapies. We described the morphology of each subtype with the role of immunohistochemical markers in diagnostics of CHS. We also summarized the most frequently mutated genes and genome regions with altered pathways involved in the pathology of this tumor. Subsequently, we discussed imaging methods and the role of currently used therapies, including surgery and the limitations of chemo and radiotherapy. Finally, in this review, we presented novel targeted therapies, including those at ongoing clinical trials, which can be a potential future target in designing new therapeutics for patients with CHS.

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