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1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 10573, 2024 05 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38719983

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by inflammatory demyelination that disrupts neuronal transmission resulting in neurodegeneration progressive disability. While current treatments focus on immunosuppression to limit inflammation and further myelin loss, no approved therapies effectively promote remyelination to mitigate the progressive disability associated with chronic demyelination. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a pro-inflammatory lipid that is upregulated in MS patient plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). LPA activates the LPA1 receptor, resulting in elevated CNS cytokine and chemokine levels, infiltration of immune cells, and microglial/astrocyte activation. This results in a neuroinflammatory response leading to demyelination and suppressed remyelination. A medicinal chemistry effort identified PIPE-791, an oral, brain-penetrant, LPA1 antagonist. PIPE-791 was characterized in vitro and in vivo and was found to be a potent, selective LPA1 antagonist with slow receptor off-rate kinetics. In vitro, PIPE-791 induced OPC differentiation and promoted remyelination following a demyelinating insult. PIPE-791 further mitigated the macrophage-mediated inhibition of OPC differentiation and inhibited microglial and fibroblast activation. In vivo, the compound readily crossed the blood-brain barrier and blocked LPA1 in the CNS after oral dosing. Direct dosing of PIPE-791 in vivo increased oligodendrocyte number, and in the mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS, we observed that PIPE-791 promoted myelination, reduced neuroinflammation, and restored visual evoked potential latencies (VEP). These findings support targeting LPA1 for remyelination and encourage development of PIPE-791 for treating MS patients with advantages not seen with current immunosuppressive disease modifying therapies.


Multiple Sclerosis , Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid , Remyelination , Animals , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism , Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid/metabolism , Remyelination/drug effects , Humans , Mice , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism , Oligodendroglia/metabolism , Oligodendroglia/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Brain/pathology , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/drug therapy , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Myelin Sheath/metabolism , Myelin Sheath/drug effects , Lysophospholipids/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects
2.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1388574, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38726015

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, transparent vesicles that can be found in various biological fluids and are derived from the amplification of cell membranes. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated that EVs play a crucial regulatory role in tumorigenesis and development, including the progression of metastatic tumors in distant organs. Brain metastases (BMs) are highly prevalent in patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma, and patients often experience serious complications and are often associated with a poor prognosis. The immune microenvironment of brain metastases was different from that of the primary tumor. Nevertheless, the existing review on the role and therapeutic potential of EVs in immune microenvironment of BMs is relatively limited. Main body: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the published research literature, summarizing the vital role of EVs in BMs. Studies have demonstrated that EVs participate in the regulation of the BMs immune microenvironment, exemplified by their ability to modify the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, change immune cell infiltration, and activate associated cells for promoting tumor cell survival and proliferation. Furthermore, EVs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for disease surveillance and prediction of BMs. Conclusion: Overall, EVs play a key role in the regulation of the immune microenvironment of brain metastasis and are expected to make advances in immunotherapy and disease diagnosis. Future studies will help reveal the specific mechanisms of EVs in brain metastases and use them as new therapeutic strategies.


Brain Neoplasms , Extracellular Vesicles , Tumor Microenvironment , Humans , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Extracellular Vesicles/immunology , Brain Neoplasms/secondary , Brain Neoplasms/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Animals , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism
3.
Mol Biol Rep ; 51(1): 649, 2024 May 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38733445

Molecular pathways involved in cerebral stroke are diverse. The major pathophysiological events that are observed in stroke comprises of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cellular acidosis, blood-brain barrier disruption, neuronal swelling and neuronal network mutilation. Various biomolecules are involved in these pathways and several major proteins are upregulated and/or suppressed following stroke. Different types of receptors, ion channels and transporters are activated. Fluctuations in levels of various ions and neurotransmitters have been observed. Cells involved in immune responses and various mediators involved in neuro-inflammation get upregulated progressing the pathogenesis of the disease. Despite of enormity of the problem, there is not a single therapy that can limit infarction and neurological disability due to stroke. This is because of poor understanding of the complex interplay between these pathophysiological processes. This review focuses upon the past to present research on pathophysiological events that are involved in stroke and various factors that are leading to neuronal death following cerebral stroke. This will pave a way to researchers for developing new potent therapeutics that can aid in the treatment of cerebral stroke.


Oxidative Stress , Stroke , Humans , Stroke/metabolism , Stroke/physiopathology , Animals , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/pathology , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism
4.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(9)2024 Apr 24.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38731858

This editorial investigates chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). CTE is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that is the result of repeated mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many epidemiological studies show that experiencing a TBI in early or middle life is associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) present a series of similar neuropathological features that were investigated in this work like recombinant tau into filaments or the accumulation and aggregation of Aß protein. However, these two conditions differ from each other in brain-blood barrier damage. The purpose of this review was to evaluate information about CTE and AD from various articles, focusing especially on new therapeutic possibilities for the improvement in cognitive skills.


Alzheimer Disease , Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/complications , Alzheimer Disease/pathology , Alzheimer Disease/etiology , Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy/pathology , Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy/complications , tau Proteins/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Animals , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology
5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(9)2024 Apr 25.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38731886

The cerebrovascular endothelial cells with distinct characteristics line cerebrovascular blood vessels and are the fundamental structure of the blood-brain barrier, which is important for the development and homeostatic maintenance of the central nervous system. Cre-LoxP system-based spatial gene manipulation in mice is critical for investigating the physiological functions of key factors or signaling pathways in cerebrovascular endothelial cells. However, there is a lack of Cre recombinase mouse lines that specifically target cerebrovascular endothelial cells. Here, using a publicly available single-cell RNAseq database, we screened the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1a4 (Slco1a4) as a candidate marker of cerebrovascular endothelial cells. Then, we generated an inducible Cre mouse line in which a CreERT2-T2A-tdTomato cassette was placed after the initiation codon ATG of the Slco1a4 locus. We found that tdTomato, which can indicate the endogenous Slco1a4 expression, was expressed in almost all cerebrovascular endothelial cells but not in any other non-endothelial cell types in the brain, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, and microglial cells, as well as in other organs. Consistently, when crossing the ROSA26LSL-EYFP Cre reporter mouse, EYFP also specifically labeled almost all cerebrovascular endothelial cells upon tamoxifen induction. Overall, we generated a new inducible Cre line that specifically targets cerebrovascular endothelial cells.


Brain , Endothelial Cells , Integrases , Animals , Mice , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Integrases/metabolism , Integrases/genetics , Brain/metabolism , Gene Knock-In Techniques , Mice, Transgenic , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Organic Anion Transporters/genetics , Organic Anion Transporters/metabolism , Tamoxifen/pharmacology , Red Fluorescent Protein
6.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(9)2024 Apr 25.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38731913

Despite combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) limiting HIV replication to undetectable levels in the blood, people living with HIV continue to experience HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). HAND is associated with neurocognitive impairment, including motor impairment, and memory loss. HIV has been detected in the brain within 8 days of estimated exposure and the mechanisms for this early entry are being actively studied. Once having entered into the central nervous system (CNS), HIV degrades the blood-brain barrier through the production of its gp120 and Tat proteins. These proteins are directly toxic to endothelial cells and neurons, and propagate inflammatory cytokines by the activation of immune cells and dysregulation of tight junction proteins. The BBB breakdown is associated with the progression of neurocognitive disease. One of the main hurdles for treatment for HAND is the latent pool of cells, which are insensitive to cART and prolong inflammation by harboring the provirus in long-lived cells that can reactivate, causing damage. Multiple strategies are being studied to combat the latent pool and HAND; however, clinically, these approaches have been insufficient and require further revisions. The goal of this paper is to aggregate the known mechanisms and challenges associated with HAND.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Humans , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/virology , HIV Infections/pathology , HIV Infections/metabolism , AIDS Dementia Complex/metabolism , AIDS Dementia Complex/pathology , HIV-1 , Neurocognitive Disorders/etiology , Neurocognitive Disorders/metabolism , Neurocognitive Disorders/pathology , Animals
7.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(9)2024 Apr 29.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38732047

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in physiological aging and in many pathological conditions. Yet, no study has explored the consequence of primary mitochondrial deficiency on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) structure and function. Addressing this question has major implications for pharmacological and genetic strategies aimed at ameliorating the neurological symptoms that are often predominant in patients suffering from these conditions. In this study, we examined the permeability of the BBB in the Ndufs4-/- mouse model of Leigh syndrome (LS). Our results indicated that the structural and functional integrity of the BBB was preserved in this severe model of mitochondrial disease. Our findings suggests that pharmacological or gene therapy strategies targeting the central nervous system in this mouse model and possibly other models of mitochondrial dysfunction require the use of specific tools to bypass the BBB. In addition, they raise the need for testing the integrity of the BBB in complementary in vivo models.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Disease Models, Animal , Electron Transport Complex I , Leigh Disease , Mice, Knockout , Leigh Disease/genetics , Leigh Disease/metabolism , Leigh Disease/pathology , Animals , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Mice , Electron Transport Complex I/metabolism , Electron Transport Complex I/genetics , Electron Transport Complex I/deficiency , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/genetics
8.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(9)2024 Apr 29.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38732053

Concussion, caused by a rotational acceleration/deceleration injury mild enough to avoid structural brain damage, is insufficiently captured in recent preclinical models, hampering the relation of pathophysiological findings on the cellular level to functional and behavioral deficits. We here describe a novel model of unrestrained, single vs. repetitive concussive brain injury (CBI) in male C56Bl/6j mice. Longitudinal behavioral assessments were conducted for up to seven days afterward, alongside the evaluation of structural cerebral integrity by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 9.4 T), and validated ex vivo by histology. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity was analyzed by means of fluorescent dextran- as well as immunoglobulin G (IgG) extravasation, and neuroinflammatory processes were characterized both in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]DPA-714 and ex vivo using immunohistochemistry. While a single CBI resulted in a defined, subacute neuropsychiatric phenotype, longitudinal cognitive testing revealed a marked decrease in spatial cognition, most pronounced in mice subjected to CBI at high frequency (every 48 h). Functional deficits were correlated to a parallel disruption of the BBB, (R2 = 0.29, p < 0.01), even detectable by a significant increase in hippocampal uptake of [18F]DPA-714, which was not due to activation of microglia, as confirmed immunohistochemically. Featuring a mild but widespread disruption of the BBB without evidence of macroscopic damage, this model induces a characteristic neuro-psychiatric phenotype that correlates to the degree of BBB disruption. Based on these findings, the BBB may function as both a biomarker of CBI severity and as a potential treatment target to improve recovery from concussion.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain Concussion , Disease Models, Animal , Animals , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology , Blood-Brain Barrier/diagnostic imaging , Mice , Brain Concussion/metabolism , Brain Concussion/diagnostic imaging , Brain Concussion/pathology , Brain Concussion/physiopathology , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , Head Injuries, Closed/pathology , Head Injuries, Closed/metabolism , Head Injuries, Closed/physiopathology , Head Injuries, Closed/diagnostic imaging
9.
Fluids Barriers CNS ; 21(1): 38, 2024 May 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38693577

BACKGROUND: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a central feature of cerebral malaria (CM), a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infections. In CM, sequestration of Pf-infected red blood cells (Pf-iRBCs) to brain endothelial cells combined with inflammation, hemolysis, microvasculature obstruction and endothelial dysfunction mediates BBB disruption, resulting in severe neurologic symptoms including coma and seizures, potentially leading to death or long-term sequelae. In vitro models have advanced our knowledge of CM-mediated BBB disruption, but their physiological relevance remains uncertain. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells (hiPSC-BMECs), we aimed to develop a novel in vitro model of the BBB in CM, exhibiting enhanced barrier properties. METHODS: hiPSC-BMECs were co-cultured with HB3var03 strain Pf-iRBCs up to 9 h. Barrier integrity was measured using transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and sodium fluorescein permeability assays. Localization and expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (occludin, zonula occludens-1, claudin-5), cellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and endothelial surface markers (EPCR) were determined using immunofluorescence imaging (IF) and western blotting (WB). Expression of angiogenic and cell stress markers were measured using multiplex proteome profiler arrays. RESULTS: After 6-h of co-culture with Pf-iRBCs, hiPSC-BMECs showed reduced TEER and increased sodium fluorescein permeability compared to co-culture with uninfected RBCs, indicative of a leaky barrier. We observed disruptions in localization of occludin, zonula occludens-1, and claudin-5 by IF, but no change in protein expression by WB in Pf-iRBC co-cultures. Expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 but not EPCR was elevated in hiPSC-BMECs with Pf-iRBC co-culture compared to uninfected RBC co-culture. In addition, there was an increase in expression of angiogenin, platelet factor-4, and phospho-heat shock protein-27 in the Pf-iRBCs co-culture compared to uninfected RBC co-culture. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the validity of our hiPSC-BMECs based model of the BBB, that displays enhanced barrier integrity and appropriate TJ protein localization. In the hiPSC-BMEC co-culture with Pf-iRBCs, reduced TEER, increased paracellular permeability, changes in TJ protein localization, increase in expression of adhesion molecules, and markers of angiogenesis and cellular stress all point towards a novel model with enhanced barrier properties, suitable for investigating pathogenic mechanisms underlying BBB disruption in CM.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Malaria, Cerebral , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Humans , Malaria, Cerebral/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Coculture Techniques , Models, Biological
10.
Clin Transl Sci ; 17(5): e13804, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38700454

St. John's wort (SJW) extract, a herbal medicine with antidepressant effects, is a potent inducer of intestinal and/or hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which can cause clinically relevant drug interactions. It is currently not known whether SJW can also induce P-gp activity at the human blood-brain barrier (BBB), which may potentially lead to decreased brain exposure and efficacy of certain central nervous system (CNS)-targeted P-gp substrate drugs. In this study, we used a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and cocktail phenotyping to gain a comprehensive picture on the effect of SJW on central and peripheral P-gp and CYP activities. Before and after treatment of healthy volunteers (n = 10) with SJW extract with a high hyperforin content (3-6%) for 12-19 days (1800 mg/day), the activity of P-gp at the BBB was assessed by means of PET imaging with the P-gp substrate [11C]metoclopramide and the activity of peripheral P-gp and CYPs was assessed by administering a low-dose phenotyping cocktail (caffeine, omeprazole, dextromethorphan, and midazolam or fexofenadine). SJW significantly increased peripheral P-gp, CYP3A, and CYP2C19 activity. Conversely, no significant changes in the peripheral metabolism, brain distribution, and P-gp-mediated efflux of [11C]metoclopramide across the BBB were observed following the treatment with SJW extract. Our data suggest that SJW does not lead to significant P-gp induction at the human BBB despite its ability to induce peripheral P-gp and CYPs. Simultaneous intake of SJW with CNS-targeted P-gp substrate drugs is not expected to lead to P-gp-mediated drug interactions at the BBB.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Hypericum , Phloroglucinol , Phloroglucinol/analogs & derivatives , Plant Extracts , Positron-Emission Tomography , Terfenadine/analogs & derivatives , Terpenes , Humans , Hypericum/chemistry , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Phloroglucinol/pharmacokinetics , Phloroglucinol/pharmacology , Phloroglucinol/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/pharmacokinetics , Male , Adult , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Terpenes/pharmacology , Terpenes/pharmacokinetics , Terpenes/metabolism , Female , Young Adult , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/metabolism , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/metabolism , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/pharmacology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/pharmacokinetics , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/administration & dosage , Terfenadine/pharmacokinetics , Terfenadine/administration & dosage , Terfenadine/pharmacology , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism , Healthy Volunteers
11.
J Neurosci Res ; 102(5): e25340, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38745527

The ubiquity of nanoparticles, sourced from both natural environments and human activities, presents critical challenges for public health. While offering significant potential for innovative biomedical applications-especially in enhancing drug transport across the blood-brain barrier-these particles also introduce possible hazards due to inadvertent exposure. This concise review explores the paradoxical nature of nanoparticles, emphasizing their promising applications in healthcare juxtaposed with their potential neurotoxic consequences. Through a detailed examination, we delineate the pathways through which nanoparticles can reach the brain and the subsequent health implications. There is growing evidence of a disturbing association between nanoparticle exposure and the onset of neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting the imperative for comprehensive research and strategic interventions. Gaining a deep understanding of these mechanisms and enacting protective policies are crucial steps toward reducing the health threats of nanoparticles, thereby maximizing their therapeutic advantages.


Nanoparticles , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Humans , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Animals , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects
12.
Brain Behav ; 14(5): e3536, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38747733

OBJECTIVE: To provide thorough insight on the protective role of endothelial glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in ischemic stroke. METHODS: We comprehensively review the role of endothelial GLUT1 in ischemic stroke by narrating the findings concerning biological characteristics of GLUT1 in brain in depth, summarizing the changes of endothelial GLUT1 expression and activity during ischemic stroke, discussing how GLUT1 achieves its neuroprotective effect via maintaining endothelial function, and identifying some outstanding blind spots in current studies. RESULTS: Endothelial GLUT1 maintains persistent high glucose and energy requirements of the brain by transporting glucose through the blood-brain barrier, which preserves endothelial function and is beneficial to stroke prognosis. CONCLUSION: This review underscores the potential involvement of GLUT1 trafficking, activity modulation, and degradation, and we look forward to more clinical and animal studies to illuminate these mechanisms.


Glucose Transporter Type 1 , Ischemic Stroke , Humans , Ischemic Stroke/metabolism , Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology , Glucose Transporter Type 1/metabolism , Animals , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Brain/metabolism , Glucose/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/metabolism
13.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2807: 271-283, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38743235

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of several barriers between the brain and the peripheral blood system to maintain homeostasis. Understanding the interactions between infectious agents such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), which are capable of traversing the BBB and causing neuroinflammation requires modeling an authentic BBB in vitro. Such an in vitro BBB model also helps develop means of targeting viruses that reside in the brain via natural immune effectors such as antibodies. The BBB consists of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), astrocytes, and pericytes. Here we report in vitro methods to establish a dual-cell BBB model consisting of primary HBMECs and primary astrocytes to measure the integrity of the BBB and antibody penetration of the BBB, as well as a method to establish a single cell BBB model to study the impact of HIV-1 infected medium on the integrity of such a BBB.


Astrocytes , Blood-Brain Barrier , Endothelial Cells , HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Blood-Brain Barrier/virology , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Humans , Astrocytes/virology , Astrocytes/metabolism , Astrocytes/immunology , Endothelial Cells/virology , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , HIV-1/physiology , HIV Infections/virology , HIV Infections/immunology , Pericytes/virology , Pericytes/metabolism , Pericytes/immunology , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/virology , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/immunology , Coculture Techniques/methods , Cells, Cultured , Brain/virology , Brain/immunology , Brain/metabolism
14.
ACS Chem Neurosci ; 15(10): 2028-2041, 2024 May 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710594

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH)-triggered blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is a core pathological change occurring in vascular dementia (VD). Despite the recent advances in the exploration of the structural basis of BBB impairment and the routes of entry of harmful compounds after a BBB leakage, the molecular mechanisms inducing BBB impairment remain largely unknown in terms of VD. Here, we employed a CCH-induced VD model and discovered increased vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) expression on the brain endothelial cells (ECs). The expression of VCAM1 was directly correlated with the severity of BBB impairment. Moreover, the VCAM1 expression was associated with different regional white matter lesions. Furthermore, a compound that could block VCAM1 activation, K-7174, was also found to alleviate BBB leakage and protect the white matter integrity, whereas pharmacological manipulation of the BBB leakage did not affect the VCAM1 expression. Thus, our results demonstrated that VCAM1 is an important regulator that leads to BBB dysfunction following CCH. Blocking VCAM1-mediated BBB impairment may thus offer a new strategy to treat CCH-related neurodegenerative diseases.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Endothelial Cells , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology , Animals , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Male , Brain/metabolism , Brain/pathology , Dementia, Vascular/metabolism , Dementia, Vascular/pathology , Humans , Brain Ischemia/metabolism , Brain Ischemia/pathology , Mice
15.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 3987, 2024 May 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38734698

Despite advances in active drug targeting for blood-brain barrier penetration, two key challenges persist: first, attachment of a targeting ligand to the drug or drug carrier does not enhance its brain biodistribution; and second, many brain diseases are intricately linked to microcirculation disorders that significantly impede drug accumulation within brain lesions even after they cross the barrier. Inspired by the neuroprotective properties of vinpocetine, which regulates cerebral blood flow, we propose a molecular library design centered on this class of cyclic tertiary amine compounds and develop a self-enhanced brain-targeted nucleic acid delivery system. Our findings reveal that: (i) vinpocetine-derived ionizable-lipidoid nanoparticles efficiently breach the blood-brain barrier; (ii) they have high gene-loading capacity, facilitating endosomal escape and intracellular transport; (iii) their administration is safe with minimal immunogenicity even with prolonged use; and (iv) they have potent pharmacologic brain-protective activity and may synergize with treatments for brain disorders as demonstrated in male APP/PS1 mice.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Nanoparticles , Vinca Alkaloids , Animals , Vinca Alkaloids/pharmacology , Vinca Alkaloids/pharmacokinetics , Vinca Alkaloids/administration & dosage , Vinca Alkaloids/chemistry , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Mice , Cerebrovascular Circulation/drug effects , Male , Brain/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Brain/blood supply , Humans , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacokinetics , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Tissue Distribution , Drug Delivery Systems , Mice, Transgenic
16.
Fluids Barriers CNS ; 21(1): 39, 2024 May 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38711118

BACKGROUND: Triptans are anti-migraine drugs with a potential central site of action. However, it is not known to what extent triptans cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of this study was therefore to determine if triptans pass the brain capillary endothelium and investigate the possible underlying mechanisms with focus on the involvement of the putative proton-coupled organic cation (H+/OC) antiporter. Additionally, we evaluated whether triptans interacted with the efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein (P-gp). METHODS: We investigated the cellular uptake characteristics of the prototypical H+/OC antiporter substrates, pyrilamine and oxycodone, and seven different triptans in the human brain microvascular endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3. Triptan interactions with P-gp were studied using the IPEC-J2 MDR1 cell line. Lastly, in vivo neuropharmacokinetic assessment of the unbound brain-to-plasma disposition of eletriptan was conducted in wild type and mdr1a/1b knockout mice. RESULTS: We demonstrated that most triptans were able to inhibit uptake of the H+/OC antiporter substrate, pyrilamine, with eletriptan emerging as the strongest inhibitor. Eletriptan, almotriptan, and sumatriptan exhibited a pH-dependent uptake into hCMEC/D3 cells. Eletriptan demonstrated saturable uptake kinetics with an apparent Km of 89 ± 38 µM and a Jmax of 2.2 ± 0.7 nmol·min-1·mg protein-1 (n = 3). Bidirectional transport experiments across IPEC-J2 MDR1 monolayers showed that eletriptan is transported by P-gp, thus indicating that eletriptan is both a substrate of the H+/OC antiporter and P-gp. This was further confirmed in vivo, where the unbound brain-to-unbound plasma concentration ratio (Kp,uu) was 0.04 in wild type mice while the ratio rose to 1.32 in mdr1a/1b knockout mice. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that the triptan family of compounds possesses affinity for the H+/OC antiporter proposing that the putative H+/OC antiporter plays a role in the BBB transport of triptans, particularly eletriptan. Our in vivo studies indicate that eletriptan is subjected to simultaneous brain uptake and efflux, possibly facilitated by the putative H+/OC antiporter and P-gp, respectively. Our findings offer novel insights into the potential central site of action involved in migraine treatment with triptans and highlight the significance of potential transporter related drug-drug interactions.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain , Endothelial Cells , Mice, Knockout , Pyrrolidines , Tryptamines , Tryptamines/pharmacology , Tryptamines/metabolism , Tryptamines/pharmacokinetics , Animals , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Humans , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Cell Line , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Biological Transport/physiology , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/metabolism , Male , Antiporters/metabolism , Pyrilamine/metabolism , Pyrilamine/pharmacology , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/metabolism
18.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(20): e2318119121, 2024 May 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38709930

Brain metastasis of advanced breast cancer often results in deleterious consequences. Metastases to the brain lead to significant challenges in treatment options, as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents conventional therapy. Thus, we hypothesized that creation of a nanoparticle (NP) that distributes to both primary tumor site and across the BBB for secondary brain tumor can be extremely beneficial. Here, we report a simple targeting strategy to attack both the primary breast and secondary brain tumors utilizing a single NP platform. The nature of these mitochondrion-targeted, BBB-penetrating NPs allow for simultaneous targeting and drug delivery to the hyperpolarized mitochondrial membrane of the extracranial primary tumor site in addition to tumors at the brain. By utilizing a combination of such dual anatomical distributing NPs loaded with therapeutics, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept idea to combat the increased metabolic plasticity of brain metastases by lowering two major energy sources, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis. By utilizing complementary studies and genomic analyses, we demonstrate the utility of a chemotherapeutic prodrug to decrease OXPHOS and glycolysis by pairing with a NP loaded with pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 inhibitor. Decreasing glycolysis aims to combat the metabolic flexibility of both primary and secondary tumors for therapeutic outcome. We also address the in vivo safety parameters by addressing peripheral neuropathy and neurobehavior outcomes. Our results also demonstrate that this combination therapeutic approach utilizes mitochondrial genome targeting strategy to overcome DNA repair-based chemoresistance mechanisms.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms , Nanoparticles , Oxidative Phosphorylation , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/secondary , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Animals , Humans , Female , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Mice , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Oxidative Phosphorylation/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/drug effects , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Glycolysis/drug effects , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Prodrugs/pharmacology , Prodrugs/therapeutic use
19.
AAPS PharmSciTech ; 25(5): 96, 2024 May 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710855

Central nervous system-related disorders have become a continuing threat to human life and the current statistic indicates an increasing trend of such disorders worldwide. The primary therapeutic challenge, despite the availability of therapies for these disorders, is to sustain the drug's effective concentration in the brain while limiting its accumulation in non-targeted areas. This is attributed to the presence of the blood-brain barrier and first-pass metabolism which limits the transportation of drugs to the brain irrespective of popular and conventional routes of drug administration. Therefore, there is a demand to practice alternative routes for predictable drug delivery using advanced drug delivery carriers to overcome the said obstacles. Recent research attracted attention to intranasal-to-brain drug delivery for promising targeting therapeutics in the brain. This review emphasizes the mechanisms to deliver therapeutics via different pathways for nose-to-brain drug delivery with recent advancements in delivery and formulation aspects. Concurrently, for the benefit of future studies, the difficulties in administering medications by intranasal pathway have also been highlighted.


Administration, Intranasal , Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain , Drug Delivery Systems , Administration, Intranasal/methods , Humans , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Brain/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Animals , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage , Nasal Mucosa/metabolism
20.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2799: 281-290, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38727914

Artificial intelligence underwent remarkable advancement in the past decade, revolutionizing our way of thinking and unlocking unprecedented opportunities across various fields, including drug development. The emergence of large pretrained models, such as ChatGPT, has even begun to demonstrate human-level performance in certain tasks.However, the difficulties of deploying and utilizing AI and pretrained model for nonexpert limited its practical use. To overcome this challenge, here we presented three highly accessible online tools based on a large pretrained model for chemistry, the Uni-Mol, for drug development against CNS diseases, including those targeting NMDA receptor: the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability prediction, the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis system, and a versatile interface of the AI-based molecule generation model named VD-gen. We believe that these resources will effectively bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and NMDAR experts, facilitating rapid and rational drug development.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Deep Learning , Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism , Humans , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Drug Development/methods
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