RESUMO
Glioblastoma (GBM), as the most central nervous system (CNS) intractable disease, has spoiled millions of lives due to its high mortality. Even though several efforts have been made, the existing treatments have had limited success. In this sense, we studied a lead compound, the boron-rich selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-inhibitor hybrid 1, as a potential drug for GBM treatment. For this end, we analyzed the in vitro activity of hybrid 1 in a glioma/primary astrocytes coculture, studying cellular death types triggered by treatment with this compound and its cellular localizations. Additionally, hybrid 1 concentrated boron in glioma cells selectively and more effectively than the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)-clinical agent 10B-l-boronophenylalanine and thus displayed a better in vitro-BNCT effect. This encouraged us to analyze hybrid 1 in vivo. Therefore, immunosuppressed mice bearing U87 MG human GBM were treated with both 1 and 1 encapsulated in a modified liposome (recognized by brain-blood barrier peptide transporters), and we observed a potent in vivo per se antitumor activity (tumor size decrease and animal survival increase). These data demonstrate that 1 could be a promising new targeted therapy for GBM.
Assuntos
Terapia por Captura de Nêutron de Boro , Neoplasias Encefálicas , Glioblastoma , Glioma , Camundongos , Humanos , Animais , Neoplasias Encefálicas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Encefálicas/radioterapia , Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Boro , Compostos de Boro/farmacologia , Compostos de Boro/uso terapêutico , Glioma/tratamento farmacológico , Glioma/radioterapia , Glioma/metabolismo , Glioblastoma/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal illness characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration. Conventional therapies for ALS are based on treatment of symptoms, and the disease remains incurable. Molecular mechanisms are unclear, but studies have been pointing to involvement of glia, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and glutamate excitotoxicity as a key factor. Nowadays, we have few treatments for this disease that only delays death, but also does not stop the neurodegenerative process. These treatments are based on glutamate blockage (riluzole), tyrosine kinase inhibition (masitinib), and antioxidant activity (edaravone). In the past few years, plant-derived compounds have been studied for neurodegenerative disorder therapies based on neuroprotection and glial cell response. In this review, we describe mechanisms of action of natural compounds associated with neuroprotective effects, and the possibilities for new therapeutic strategies in ALS.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica , Humanos , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/tratamento farmacológico , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/complicações , Riluzol , Edaravone/uso terapêutico , Ácido Glutâmico , Compostos Fitoquímicos/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Severe COVID-19 is associated with hyperinflammation and weak T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2. However, the links between those processes remain partially characterized. Moreover, whether and how therapeutically manipulating T cells may benefit patients are unknown. Our genetic and pharmacological evidence demonstrates that the ion channel TMEM176B inhibited inflammasome activation triggered by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2-related murine ß-coronavirus. Tmem176b-/- mice infected with murine ß-coronavirus developed inflammasome-dependent T cell dysfunction and critical disease, which was controlled by modulating dysfunctional T cells with PD-1 blockers. In critical COVID-19, inflammasome activation correlated with dysfunctional T cells and low monocytic TMEM176B expression, whereas PD-L1 blockade rescued T cell functionality. Here, we mechanistically link T cell dysfunction and inflammation, supporting a cancer immunotherapy to reinforce T cell immunity in critical ß-coronavirus disease.
RESUMO
Degeneration of motor neurons, glial cell reactivity, and vascular alterations in the CNS are important neuropathological features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Immune cells trafficking from the blood also infiltrate the affected CNS parenchyma and contribute to neuroinflammation. Mast cells (MCs) are hematopoietic-derived immune cells whose precursors differentiate upon migration into tissues. Upon activation, MCs undergo degranulation with the ability to increase vascular permeability, orchestrate neuroinflammation and modulate the neuroimmune response. However, the prevalence, pathological significance, and pharmacology of MCs in the CNS of ALS patients remain largely unknown. In autopsy ALS spinal cords, we identified for the first time that MCs express c-Kit together with chymase, tryptase, and Cox-2 and display granular or degranulating morphology, as compared with scarce MCs in control cords. In ALS, MCs were mainly found in the niche between spinal motor neuron somas and nearby microvascular elements, and they displayed remarkable pathological abnormalities. Similarly, MCs accumulated in the motor neuron-vascular niche of ALS murine models, in the vicinity of astrocytes and motor neurons expressing the c-Kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF), suggesting an SCF/c-Kit-dependent mechanism of MC differentiation from precursors. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that fully differentiated MCs in cell cultures can be generated from the murine ALS spinal cord tissue, further supporting the presence of c-Kit+ MC precursors. Moreover, intravenous administration of bone marrow-derived c-Kit+ MC precursors infiltrated the spinal cord in ALS mice but not in controls, consistent with aberrant trafficking through a defective microvasculature. Pharmacological inhibition of c-Kit with masitinib in ALS mice reduced the MC number and the influx of MC precursors from the periphery. Our results suggest a previously unknown pathogenic mechanism triggered by MCs in the ALS motor neuron-vascular niche that might be targeted pharmacologically.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/imunologia , Mastócitos/imunologia , Microvasos/patologia , Neurônios Motores/patologia , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias/imunologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-kit/metabolismo , Medula Espinal/imunologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/patologia , Animais , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Astrócitos/patologia , Benzamidas/farmacologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Quimases/metabolismo , Ciclo-Oxigenase 2/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Mastócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Mastócitos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Microvasos/metabolismo , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neurônios Motores/metabolismo , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias/metabolismo , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias/patologia , Piperidinas/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-kit/antagonistas & inibidores , Piridinas/farmacologia , Medula Espinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Medula Espinal/metabolismo , Medula Espinal/patologia , Fator de Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Tiazóis/farmacologia , Triptases/metabolismoRESUMO
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive liver fat deposition in the absence of significant alcohol intake. Since extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) reduces fat accumulation, we analyzed the involvement of nitro-fatty acids (NO2-FA) on the beneficial effects of EVOO consumption on NAFLD. Nitro-fatty acids formation was observed during digestion in mice supplemented with EVOO and nitrite. Mice fed with a high-fat diet (HF) presented lower plasma NO2-FA levels than normal chow, and circulating concentrations recovered when the HF diet was supplemented with 10% EVOO plus nitrite. Under NO2-FA formation conditions, liver hemoxygenase-1 expression significantly increased while decreased body weight and fat liver accumulation. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD while NO2-FA has been shown to protect from mitochondrial oxidative damage. Accordingly, an improvement of respiratory indexes was observed when mice were supplemented with both EVOO plus nitrite. Liver mitochondrial complexes II and V activities were greater in mice with EVOO supplementation and further improved in the presence of nitrite. Overall, our results strongly suggest a positive correlation between NO2-OA formation from EVOO and the observed improvement of mitochondrial function in NAFLD. The formation of NO2-FA can account for the health benefits associated with EVOO consumption.
Assuntos
Ácidos Graxos/química , Ácidos Graxos/farmacologia , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/induzido quimicamente , Animais , Composição Corporal , Peso Corporal , Suplementos Nutricionais , Feminino , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Heme Oxigenase-1/genética , Heme Oxigenase-1/metabolismo , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/patologia , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Azeite de Oliva , Tamanho do ÓrgãoRESUMO
Motor neuron degeneration and neuroinflammation are the most striking pathological features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS currently has no cure and approved drugs have only a modest clinically therapeutic effect in patients. Drugs targeting different deleterious inflammatory pathways in ALS appear as promising therapeutic alternatives. Here, we have assessed the potential therapeutic effect of an electrophilic nitroalkene benzoic acid derivative, (E)-4-(2-nitrovinyl) benzoic acid (BANA), to slow down paralysis progression when administered after overt disease onset in SOD1G93A rats. BANA exerted a significant inhibition of NF-κB activation in NF-κB reporter transgenic mice and microglial cell cultures. Systemic daily oral administration of BANA to SOD1G93A rats after paralysis onset significantly decreased microgliosis and astrocytosis, and significantly reduced the number of NF-κB-p65-positive microglial nuclei surrounding spinal motor neurons. Numerous microglia bearing nuclear NF-κB-p65 were observed in the surrounding of motor neurons in autopsy spinal cords from ALS patients but not in controls, suggesting ALS-associated microglia could be targeted by BANA. In addition, BANA-treated SOD1G93A rats after paralysis onset showed significantly ameliorated spinal motor neuron pathology as well as conserved neuromuscular junction innervation in the skeletal muscle, as compared to controls. Notably, BANA prolonged post-paralysis survival by ~30%, compared to vehicle-treated littermates. These data provide a rationale to therapeutically slow paralysis progression in ALS using small electrophilic compounds such as BANA, through a mechanism involving microglial NF-κB inhibition.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/tratamento farmacológico , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico , Nitrobenzoatos/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/mortalidade , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/patologia , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Células HT29/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , Microglia/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios Motores/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios Motores/patologia , Ratos , Medula Espinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Medula Espinal/patologiaRESUMO
Malignant gliomas are the most common malignant and aggressive primary brain tumors in adults, the prognosis being-especially for glioblastomas-extremely poor. There are no effective treatments yet. However, tyrosine kinase receptor (TKR) inhibitors and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), together, have been proposed as future therapeutic strategies. In this sense in our ongoing project of developing new anti-glioblastoma drugs, we identified a sunitinib-carborane hybrid agent, 1, with both in vitro selective cytotoxicity and excellent BNCT-behavior. Consequently, we studied the ability of compound 1 to inhibit TKRs, its promotion of cellular death processes, and its effects on the cell cycle. Moreover, we analyzed some relevant drug-like properties of 1, i.e., mutagenicity and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. These results encouraged us to perform an in vivo anti-glioblastoma proof of concept assay. It turned out to be a selective FLT3, KIT, and PDGFR-ß inhibitor and increased the apoptotic glioma-cell numbers and arrested sub-G1-phase cell cycle. Its in vivo activity in immunosuppressed mice bearing U87 MG human glioblastoma evidenced excellent anti-tumor behavior.
RESUMO
One of the driving forces of carcinogenesis in humans is the aberrant activation of receptors; consequently, one of the most promising mechanisms for cancer treatment is receptor inhibition by chemotherapy. Although a variety of cancers are initially susceptible to chemotherapy, they eventually develop multi-drug resistance. Anti-tumor agents overcoming resistance and acting through two or more ways offer greater therapeutic benefits over single-mechanism entities. In this study, we report on a new family of bifunctional compounds that, offering the possibility of dual action (drug + radiotherapy combinations), may result in significant clinical benefits. This new family of compounds combines two fragments: the drug fragment is a lapatinib group, which inhibits the tyrosine kinase receptor activity, and an icosahedral boron cluster used as agents for neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The developed compounds were evaluated in vitro against different tyrosine kinase receptors (TKRs)-expressing tumoral cells, and in vitro-BNCT experiments were performed for two of the most promising hybrids, 19 and 22. We identified hybrid 19 with excellent selectivity to inhibit cell proliferation and ability to induce necrosis/apoptosis of glioblastoma U87 MG cell line. Furthermore, derivative 22, bearing a water-solubility-enhancing moiety, showed moderate inhibition of cell proliferation in both U87 MG and colorectal HT-29 cell lines. Additionally, the HT-29 cells accumulated adequate levels of boron after hybrids 19 and 22 incubations rendering, and after neutron irradiation, higher BNCT-effects than BPA. The attractive profile of developed hybrids makes them interesting agents for combined therapy.
Assuntos
Terapia por Captura de Nêutron de Boro , Lapatinib/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/uso terapêutico , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Compostos de Boro/síntese química , Compostos de Boro/química , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos da radiação , Humanos , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Lapatinib/química , Lapatinib/farmacologia , Camundongos , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Triazinas/síntese química , Triazinas/químicaRESUMO
Distal axonopathy is a recognized pathological feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the peripheral nerves of ALS patients, motor axon loss elicits a Wallerian-like degeneration characterized by denervated Schwann cells (SCs) together with immune cell infiltration. However, the pathogenic significance of denervated SCs accumulating following impaired axonal growth in ALS remains unclear. Here, we analyze SC phenotypes in sciatic nerves of ALS patients and paralytic SOD1G93A rats, and identify remarkably similar and specific reactive SC phenotypes based on the pattern of S100ß, GFAP, isolectin and/or p75NTR immunoreactivity. Different subsets of reactive SCs expressed colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF1) and Interleukin-34 (IL-34) and closely interacted with numerous endoneurial CSF-1R-expressing monocyte/macrophages, suggesting a paracrine mechanism of myeloid cell expansion and activation. SCs bearing phagocytic phenotypes as well as endoneurial macrophages expressed stem cell factor (SCF), a trophic factor that attracts and activates mast cells through the c-Kit receptor. Notably, a subpopulation of Ki67+ SCs expressed c-Kit in the sciatic nerves of SOD1G93A rats, suggesting a signaling pathway that fuels SC proliferation in ALS. c-Kit+ mast cells were also abundant in the sciatic nerve from ALS donors but not in controls. Pharmacological inhibition of CSF-1R and c-Kit with masitinib in SOD1G93A rats potently reduced SC reactivity and immune cell infiltration in the sciatic nerve and ventral roots, suggesting a mechanism by which the drug ameliorates peripheral nerve pathology. These findings provide strong evidence for a previously unknown inflammatory mechanism triggered by SCs in ALS peripheral nerves that has broad application in developing novel therapies.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/patologia , Inflamação/metabolismo , Interleucinas/metabolismo , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Macrófagos/metabolismo , Células de Schwann/metabolismo , Fator de Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/metabolismo , Animais , Axônios/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Masculino , Neurônios Motores/patologia , Neuroglia/metabolismo , Ratos TransgênicosRESUMO
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons accompanied by proliferation of reactive microglia in affected regions. However, it is unknown whether the hematopoietic marker CD34 can identify a subpopulation of proliferating microglial cells in the ALS degenerating spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry for CD34 and microglia markers was performed in lumbar spinal cords of ALS rats bearing the SOD1G93A mutation and autopsied ALS and control human subjects. Characterization of CD34-positive cells was also performed in primary cell cultures of the rat spinal cords. CD34 was expressed in a large number of cells that closely interacted with degenerating lumbar spinal cord motor neurons in symptomatic SOD1G93A rats, but not in controls. Most CD34+ cells co-expressed the myeloid marker CD11b, while only a subpopulation was stained for Iba1 or CD68. Notably, CD34+ cells actively proliferated and formed clusters adjacent to damaged motor neurons bearing misfolded SOD1. CD34+ cells were identified in the proximity of motor neurons in autopsied spinal cord from sporadic ALS subjects but not in controls. Cell culture of symptomatic SOD1G93A rat spinal cords yielded a large number of CD34+ cells exclusively in the non-adherent phase, which generated microglia after successive passaging. A yet unrecognized CD34+ cells, expressing or not the microglial marker Iba1, proliferate and accumulate adjacent to degenerating spinal motor neurons, representing an intriguing cell target for approaching ALS pathogenesis and therapeutics.