scholarly journals Advances in Neurotrophic Factor and Cell-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease: A Mini-Review

Gerontology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Staudt ◽  
Andrea R. Di Sebastiano ◽  
Hu Xu ◽  
Mandar Jog ◽  
Susanne Schmid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cell Based Therapy ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Biological Sources ◽  
And Function ◽  
Disease Modifying Treatment ◽  
Host Brain

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects an estimated 7-10 million people worldwide and remains without definitive or disease-modifying treatment. There have been many recent developments in cell-based therapy (CBT) to replace lost circuitry and provide chronic biological sources of therapeutic agents to the PD-affected brain. Early neural transplantation studies underscored the challenges of immune compatibility, graft integration and the need for renewable, autologous graft sources. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) offer a potential class of cytoprotective pharmacotherapeutics that may complement dopamine (DA) replacement and CBT strategies in PD. Chronic NTF delivery may be an integral goal of CBT, with grafts consisting of autologous drug-producing (e.g., DA, NTF) cells that are capable of integration and function in the host brain. In this mini-review, we outline the past experience and recent advances in NTF technology and CBT as promising and integrated approaches for the treatment of PD.

scholarly journals Simultaneous Transplantation of Fetal Ventral Mesencephalic Tissue and Encapsulated Genetically Modified Cells Releasing GDNF in a Hemi-Parkinsonian Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1572-1581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Perez-Bouza ◽  
Stefano Di Santo ◽  
Stefanie Seiler ◽  
Morten Meyer ◽  
Lukas Andereggen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Graft Function ◽  
Ventral Mesencephalic ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine ◽  
And Function ◽  
Graft Volume ◽  
Host Brain

Transplantation of fetal ventral mesencephalic (VM) neurons for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is limited by poor survival and suboptimal integration of grafted tissue into the host brain. In a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of PD, we investigated the feasibility of simultaneous transplantation of rat fetal VM tissue and polymer-encapsulated C2C12 myoblasts genetically modified to produce glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or mock-transfected myoblasts on graft function. Amphetamine-induced rotations were assessed prior to transplantation and 2, 4, 6 and 9 wk posttransplantation. We found that rats grafted with VM transplants and GDNF capsules showed a significant functional recovery 4 wk after implantation. In contrast, rats from the VM transplant and mock-capsule group did not improve at any time point analyzed. Moreover, we detected a significantly higher number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) cells per graft (2-fold), a tendency for a larger graft volume and an overall higher TH-ir fiber outgrowth into the host brain (1.7-fold) in the group with VM transplants and GDNF capsules as compared to the VM transplant and mock-capsule group. Most prominent was the TH-ir fiber outgrowth toward the capsule (9-fold). Grafting of GDNF-pretreated VM transplants in combination with the implantation of GDNF capsules resulted in a tendency for a higher TH-ir fiber outgrowth into the host brain (1.7-fold) as compared to the group transplanted with untreated VM transplants and GDNF capsules. No differences between groups were observed for the number of surviving TH-ir neurons or graft volume. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that simultaneous transplantation of fetal VM tissue and encapsulated GDNF-releasing cells is feasible and support the graft survival and function. Pretreatment of donor tissue with GDNF may offer a way to further improve cell transplantation approaches for PD.

scholarly journals LRRK2 Targeting Strategies as Potential Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1101
Author(s):  
Dominika Natalia Wojewska ◽  
Arjan Kortholt
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Leucine Rich Repeat ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Current State ◽  
Great Progress ◽  
Recent Developments

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects millions of people worldwide with no cure to halt the progress of the disease. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the most common genetic cause of PD and, as such, LRRK2 inhibitors are promising therapeutic agents. In the last decade, great progress in the LRRK2 field has been made. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art, presenting recent developments and challenges in developing LRRK2 inhibitors, and discussing extensively the potential targeting strategies from the protein perspective. As currently there are three LRRK2-targeting agents in clinical trials, more developments are predicted in the upcoming years.

scholarly journals Grafts Derived from an α-Synuclein Triplication Patient Mediate Functional Recovery but Develop Disease-Associated Pathology in the 6-OHDA Model of Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Shelby Shrigley ◽  
Fredrik Nilsson ◽  
Bengt Mattsson ◽  
Alessandro Fiorenzano ◽  
Janitha Mudannayake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Hesc Line ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
And Function

Background: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been proposed as an alternative source for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and they provide the option of using the patient’s own cells. A few studies have investigated transplantation of patient-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons in preclinical models; however, little is known about the long-term integrity and function of grafts derived from patients with PD. Objective: To assess the viability and function of DA neuron grafts derived from a patient hiPSC line with an α-synuclein gene triplication (AST18), using a clinical grade human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line (RC17) as a reference control. Methods: Cells were differentiated into ventral mesencephalic (VM)-patterned DA progenitors using an established GMP protocol. The progenitors were then either terminally differentiated to mature DA neurons in vitro or transplanted into 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats and their survival, maturation, function, and propensity to develop α-synuclein related pathology, were assessed in vivo. Results: Both cell lines generated functional neurons with DA properties in vitro. AST18-derived VM progenitor cells survived transplantation and matured into neuron-rich grafts similar to the RC17 cells. After 24 weeks, both cell lines produced DA-rich grafts that mediated full functional recovery; however, pathological changes were only observed in grafts derived from the α-synuclein triplication patient line. Conclusion: This data shows proof-of-principle for survival and functional recovery with familial PD patient-derived cells in the 6-OHDA model of PD. However, signs of slowly developing pathology warrants further investigation before use of autologous grafts in patients.

scholarly journals The Prion-Like Spreading of Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease: Update on Models and Hypotheses

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8338
Author(s):  
Asad Jan ◽  
Nádia Pereira Gonçalves ◽  
Christian Bjerggaard Vaegter ◽  
Poul Henning Jensen ◽  
Nelson Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Cellular Factors ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Novel Targets ◽  
Presynaptic Protein

The pathological aggregation of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) and propagation through synaptically coupled neuroanatomical tracts is increasingly thought to underlie the pathophysiological progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. Although the precise molecular mechanisms responsible for the spreading of pathological α-syn accumulation in the CNS are not fully understood, growing evidence suggests that de novo α-syn misfolding and/or neuronal internalization of aggregated α-syn facilitates conformational templating of endogenous α-syn monomers in a mechanism reminiscent of prions. A refined understanding of the biochemical and cellular factors mediating the pathological neuron-to-neuron propagation of misfolded α-syn will potentially elucidate the etiology of PD and unravel novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Here, we discuss recent developments on the hypothesis regarding trans-synaptic propagation of α-syn pathology in the context of neuronal vulnerability and highlight the potential utility of novel experimental models of synucleinopathies.

scholarly journals Restoration of Noradrenergic Function in Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice

ASN NEURO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175909142110097
Author(s):  
Kui Cui ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Turan Tufan ◽  
Muhammad U. Raza ◽  
Yanqiang Zhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Dopaminergic Systems ◽  
And Function

Dysfunction of the central noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems is the primary neurobiological characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Importantly, neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus (LC) that occurs in early stages of PD may accelerate progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, restoring the activity and function of the deficient noradrenergic system may be an important therapeutic strategy for early PD. In the present study, the lentiviral constructions of transcription factors Phox2a/2b, Hand2 and Gata3, either alone or in combination, were microinjected into the LC region of the PD model VMAT2 Lo mice at 12 and 18 month age. Biochemical analysis showed that microinjection of lentiviral expression cassettes into the LC significantly increased mRNA levels of Phox2a, and Phox2b, which were accompanied by parallel increases of mRNA and proteins of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the LC. Furthermore, there was considerable enhancement of DBH protein levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as enhanced TH protein levels in the striatum and substantia nigra. Moreover, these manipulations profoundly increased norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations in the striatum, which was followed by a remarkable improvement of the spatial memory and locomotor behavior. These results reveal that over-expression of these transcription factors in the LC improves noradrenergic and dopaminergic activities and functions in this rodent model of PD. It provides the necessary groundwork for the development of gene therapies of PD, and expands our understanding of the link between the LC-norepinephrine and dopamine systems during the progression of PD.

scholarly journals Sex- and age‐dependent alterations of splenic immune cell profile and NK cell phenotypes and function in C57BL/6J mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly B. Menees ◽  
Rachael H. Earls ◽  
Jaegwon Chung ◽  
Janna Jernigan ◽  
Nikolay M. Filipov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Spleen Weight ◽  
Age Related ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Phenotypes

Abstract Background Physiological homeostasis decline, immunosenescence, and increased risk for multiple diseases, including neurodegeneration, are all hallmarks of ageing. Importantly, it is known that the ageing process is sex-biased. For example, there are sex differences in predisposition for multiple age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. However, sex differences in age-associated immune phenotypes are not clearly understood. Results Here, we examined the effects of age on immune cell phenotypes in both sexes of C57BL/6J mice with a particular focus on NK cells. We found female-specific spleen weight increases with age and concordant reduction in the number of splenocytes per gram of spleen weight compared to young females. To evaluate sex- and age-associated changes in splenic immune cell composition, we performed flow cytometry analysis. In male mice, we observed an age-associated reduction in the frequencies of monocytes and NK cells; female mice displayed a reduction in B cells, NK cells, and CD8 + T cells and increased frequency of monocytes and neutrophils with age. We then performed a whole blood stimulation assay and multiplex analyses of plasma cytokines and observed age- and sex-specific differences in immune cell reactivity and basal circulating cytokine concentrations. As we have previously illustrated a potential role of NK cells in Parkinson’s disease, an age-related neurodegenerative disease, we further analyzed age-associated changes in NK cell phenotypes and function. There were distinct differences between the sexes in age-associated changes in the expression of NK cell receptors, IFN-γ production, and impairment of α-synuclein endocytosis. Conclusions This study demonstrates sex- and age-specific alterations in splenic lymphocyte composition, circulating cytokine/chemokine profiles, and NK cell phenotype and effector functions. Our data provide evidence that age-related physiological perturbations differ between the sexes which may help elucidate sex differences in age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease, where immune dysfunction is implicated in their etiology.

Basic fibroblast growth factor increases dopaminergic graft survival and function in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

1995 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hldeichi Takayama ◽  
Jasodhara Ray ◽  
Heather K. Raymon ◽  
Andrew Baird ◽  
Joanna Hogg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Graft Survival ◽  
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
And Function

DUNCAN'S DISEASES OF METABOLISM: ENDOCRINOLOGY, ed 7. Edited by Philip K. Bondy and Leon E. Rosenberg. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co, 1974, $26; 736 pp

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-794
Author(s):  
Lester F. Soyka
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Endocrinology ◽  
Normal Structure ◽  
Acid Base Balance ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Telephone Directory ◽  
The Past ◽  
Big City ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Base Balance ◽  
And Function

The endocrinology section of Duncan's Diseases of Metabolism comprises 736 pages, or about 44% of the total text. The division of this seventh edition of a classic text in the field is perhaps a logical expression of the splitting of endocrinology from metabolism as each field has grown tremendously in the past decade. The endocrinology portion is compact and easy to use because of this division, aided by the employment of thin, though substantial paper and small, but easily readable type. These combine to avoid the feeling of consulting a big-city telephone directory, which is so common with use of many of the standard textbooks of today. The illustrations are generally excellent and the 54-page index, which covers both sections of the book, is unusually thorough. As in all textbooks, many sections are outdated before they appear in print. Although the editors, Philip K. Bondy and Leon E. Rosenberg, propose to avoid this by means of a "last-minute" addendum, only two of the 13 chapters bear such, and one of these lists only three references, all dating to 1972. The other recent-developments section is longer and more helpful. The content is essentially that of general clinical endocrinology, each chapter using the standard approach of considering normal structure and function and then diseases in a gland arrangement, starting with the hypothalamus and traveling downward to the testis and ovary. A small chapter on acid-base balance seems out of place, whereas those on nonendocrine-secreting tumors and serotonin and the carcinoid syndrome are useful extensions of the scope of endocrinology.

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