scholarly journals Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide: A Potent Therapeutic Agent in Oxidative Stress

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 354
Author(s):  
Nadia Sadanandan ◽  
Blaise Cozene ◽  
You Jeong Park ◽  
Jeffrey Farooq ◽  
Chase Kingsbury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
The Brain

Stroke is a life-threatening condition that is characterized by secondary cell death processes that occur after the initial disruption of blood flow to the brain. The inability of endogenous repair mechanisms to sufficiently support functional recovery in stroke patients and the inadequate treatment options available are cause for concern. The pathology behind oxidative stress in stroke is of particular interest due to its detrimental effects on the brain. The oxidative stress caused by ischemic stroke overwhelms the neutralization capacity of the body’s endogenous antioxidant system, which leads to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and eventually results in cell death. The overproduction of ROS compromises the functional and structural integrity of brain tissue. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the mechanisms involved in oxidative stress to help obtain adequate treatment options for stroke. Here, we focus on the latest preclinical research that details the mechanisms behind secondary cell death processes that cause many central nervous system (CNS) disorders, as well as research that relates to how the neuroprotective molecular mechanisms of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptides (PACAPs) could make these molecules an ideal candidate for the treatment of stroke.

scholarly journals Molecular mechanisms of cell death in neurological diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Moujalled ◽  
Andreas Strasser ◽  
Jeffrey R. Liddell
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Signalling Cascades ◽  
The Brain

AbstractTightly orchestrated programmed cell death (PCD) signalling events occur during normal neuronal development in a spatially and temporally restricted manner to establish the neural architecture and shaping the CNS. Abnormalities in PCD signalling cascades, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cell death associated with autophagy as well as in unprogrammed necrosis can be observed in the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases. These cell deaths can be activated in response to various forms of cellular stress (exerted by intracellular or extracellular stimuli) and inflammatory processes. Aberrant activation of PCD pathways is a common feature in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, resulting in unwanted loss of neuronal cells and function. Conversely, inactivation of PCD is thought to contribute to the development of brain cancers and to impact their response to therapy. For many neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers current treatment strategies have only modest effect, engendering the need for investigations into the origins of these diseases. With many diseases of the brain displaying aberrations in PCD pathways, it appears that agents that can either inhibit or induce PCD may be critical components of future therapeutic strategies. The development of such therapies will have to be guided by preclinical studies in animal models that faithfully mimic the human disease. In this review, we briefly describe PCD and unprogrammed cell death processes and the roles they play in contributing to neurodegenerative diseases or tumorigenesis in the brain. We also discuss the interplay between distinct cell death signalling cascades and disease pathogenesis and describe pharmacological agents targeting key players in the cell death signalling pathways that have progressed through to clinical trials.

TMOD-02. GENERATION OF A NOVEL MOUSE MODEL FOR BRAIN TUMORS OF THE DNA METHYLATION CLASS “GBM MYCN”

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi215-vi216
Author(s):  
Melanie Schoof ◽  
Carolin Göbel ◽  
Dörthe Holdhof ◽  
Sina Al-Kershi ◽  
Ulrich Schüller
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Human Gbm

Abstract DNA methylation based classification of brain tumors has revealed a high heterogeneity between tumors and led to the description of multiple distinct subclasses. The increasing subdivision of tumors can help to understand molecular mechanisms of tumor development and to improve therapy if appropriate model systems for preclinical research are available. Multiple recent publications have described a subgroup of pediatric glioblastoma which is clearly separable from other pediatric and adult glioblastoma in its DNA methylation profile (GBM MYCN). Many cases in this group are driven by MYCN amplifications and harbor TP53 mutations. These tumors almost exclusively occur in children and were further described as highly aggressive with a median overall survival of only 14 months. In order to further investigate the biology and treatment options of these tumors, we generated hGFAP-cre::TP53 Fl/Fl ::lsl-MYCN mice. These mice carry a loss of TP53 and show aberrant MYCN expression in neural precursors of the central nervous system. The animals develop large forebrain tumors within the first 80 days of life with 100 % penetrance. These tumors resemble human GBM MYCN tumors histologically and are sensitive to AURKA and ATR inhibitors in vitro. We believe that further characterization of the model and in vivo treatment studies will pave the way to improve treatment of patients with these highly aggressive tumors.

scholarly journals Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide Elicits Neuroprotection Against Acute Ischemic Neuronal Cell Death Associated with NMDA Receptors

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1982-1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Kaneko ◽  
Julian P. Tuazon ◽  
Xunming Ji ◽  
Cesario V. Borlongan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
High Mobility Group ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Nmdar Subunits

Background/Aims: The endogenous neurotrophic peptides pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptides (PACAP-27/38) protect against stroke, but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Methods: Primary rat neural cells were exposed to PACAP-27 or PACAP-38 before induction of experimental acute ischemic stroke via oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD/R) injury. To reveal PACAP’s role in neuroprotection, we employed fluorescent live/dead cell viability and caspase 3 assays, optical densitometry of mitochondrial dehydrogenase and cell growth, glutathione disulfide luciferase activity, ELISA for high mobility group box1 extracellular concentration, ATP bioluminescence, Western blot analysis of PACAP, NMDA subunits, apoptosis regulator Bcl-2, social interaction hormone oxytocin, and trophic factor BDNF, and immunocytochemical analysis of PACAP. Results: Both PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 (PACAP-27/38) increased cell viability, decreased oxidative stress-induced cell damage, maintained mitochondrial activity, prevented the release of high mobility group box1, and reduced cytochrome c/caspase 3-induced apoptosis. PACAP-27/38 increased the protein expression levels of BDNF, Bcl-2, oxytocin, and precursor PACAP. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-induced excitotoxicity contributes to the cell death associated with stroke. PACAP-27/38 modulated the protein expression levels of NMDAR subunits. PACAP-27/38 increased the protein expression levels of the GluN1 subunit, and decreased that of the GluN2B and GluN2D subunits. PACAP-27, but not PACAP-38, increased the expression level of the GluN2C subunit. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that PACAP regulated NMDAR subunits, affording neuroprotection after OGD/R injury.

scholarly journals Vascular Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3055
Author(s):  
Megan A. Opichka ◽  
Matthew W. Rappelt ◽  
David D. Gutterman ◽  
Justin L. Grobe ◽  
Jennifer J. McIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorder ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Spiral Artery ◽  
Mitochondrial Stress ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Life Threatening

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy-associated cardiovascular disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria at 20 weeks of gestation. Though its exact underlying cause is not precisely defined and likely heterogenous, a plethora of research indicates that in some women with preeclampsia, both maternal and placental vascular dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis and can persist into the postpartum period. Potential abnormalities include impaired placentation, incomplete spiral artery remodeling, and endothelial damage, which are further propagated by immune factors, mitochondrial stress, and an imbalance of pro- and antiangiogenic substances. While the field has progressed, current gaps in knowledge include detailed initial molecular mechanisms and effective treatment options. Newfound evidence indicates that vasopressin is an early mediator and biomarker of the disorder, and promising future therapeutic avenues include mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, excess oxidative stress, and the resulting inflammatory state. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of vascular defects present during preeclampsia and connect well-established notions to newer discoveries at the molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels.

scholarly journals Induction of the Nrf2 Pathway by Sulforaphane Is Neuroprotective in a Rat Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Model

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1702
Author(s):  
Sereen Sandouka ◽  
Tawfeeq Shekh-Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Status Epilepticus ◽  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
The Brain

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the brain that affects over 65 million people worldwide. Acquired epilepsy is initiated by neurological insults, such as status epilepticus, which can result in the generation of ROS and induction of oxidative stress. Suppressing oxidative stress by upregulation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has been shown to be an effective strategy to increase endogenous antioxidant defences, including in brain diseases, and can ameliorate neuronal damage and seizure occurrence in epilepsy. Here, we aim to test the neuroprotective potential of a naturally occurring Nrf2 activator sulforaphane, in in vitro epileptiform activity model and a temporal lobe epilepsy rat model. Sulforaphane significantly decreased ROS generation during epileptiform activity, restored glutathione levels, and prevented seizure-like activity-induced neuronal cell death. When given to rats after 2 h of kainic acid-induced status epilepticus, sulforaphane significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 and related antioxidant genes, improved oxidative stress markers, and increased the total antioxidant capacity in both the plasma and hippocampus. In addition, sulforaphane significantly decreased status epilepticus-induced neuronal cell death. Our results demonstrate that Nrf2 activation following an insult to the brain exerts a neuroprotective effect by reducing neuronal death, increasing the antioxidant capacity, and thus may also modify epilepsy development.

scholarly journals Lipids Nutrients in Parkinson and Alzheimer’s Diseases: Cell Death and Cytoprotection

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Nury ◽  
Gérard Lizard ◽  
Anne Vejux
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
The Body ◽  
Protein Accumulation ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Apoptosis And Inflammation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, have common features: protein accumulation, cell death with mitochondrial involvement and oxidative stress. Patients are treated to cure the symptoms, but the treatments do not target the causes; so, the disease is not stopped. It is interesting to look at the side of nutrition which could help prevent the first signs of the disease or slow its progression in addition to existing therapeutic strategies. Lipids, whether in the form of vegetable or animal oils or in the form of fatty acids, could be incorporated into diets with the aim of preventing neurodegenerative diseases. These different lipids can inhibit the cytotoxicity induced during the pathology, whether at the level of mitochondria, oxidative stress or apoptosis and inflammation. The conclusions of the various studies cited are oriented towards the preventive use of oils or fatty acids. The future of these lipids that can be used in therapy/prevention will undoubtedly involve a better delivery to the body and to the brain by utilizing lipid encapsulation.

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