The rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 improves motor performance in male SOD1(G93A) mice.

Disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of motoneurons and their axons which results in a progressive muscle weakness and ultimately death from respiratory failure. The only approved drug, riluzole, lacks clinical efficacy so that more potent treatment options are needed. We have identified rho kinase (ROCK) as a target, which can be manipulated to beneficially influence disease progression in models of ALS. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in both an in vitro and in an in vivo paradigm of motoneuron disease. Application of Y-27632 to primary motoneurons in vitro increased survival and promoted neurite outgrowth. In vivo, SOD1(G93A) mice were orally treated with 2 or 30 mg/kg body weight of Y-27632. The 2 mg/kg group did not benefit from Y-27632 treatment, whereas treatment with 30 mg/kg resulted in improved motor function in male mice. Female mice showed only limited improvement and overall survival was not modified in both 2 and 30 mg/kg Y-27632 groups. In conclusion, we provide evidence that inhibition of ROCK by Y-27632 is neuroprotective in vitro but has limited beneficial effects in vivo being restricted to male mice. Therefore, the evaluation of ROCK inhibitors in preclinical models of ALS should always take gender differences into account.

Rho kinase inhibition modulates microglia activation and improves survival in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of motoneurons (MN) and their axons, but is also influenced by neighboring cells such as astrocytes and microglial cells. The role of microglia in ALS is complex as it switches from an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective phenotype in early disease to a proinflammatory and neurotoxic phenotype in later stages. Our previous studies in models of neurodegeneration identified rho kinase (ROCK) as a target, which can be manipulated to beneficially influence disease progression. Here, we examined the neuroprotective potential of the ROCK inhibitor Fasudil to target the central pathogenic features of ALS. Application of Fasudil to kainic acid-lesioned primary MN in vitro resulted in a strong prosurvival effect. In vivo, SOD1(G93A) mice benefited from oral treatment with Fasudil showing prolonged survival and improved motor function. These findings were correlated to an improved survival of motor neurons and a pronounced alteration of astroglial and microglial cell infiltration of the spinal cord under Fasudil treatment. Modeling a proinflammatory microglial phenotype by stimulation with LPS in vitro, Fasudil decreased the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines TNFα, Il6, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5 while CXCL1 release was only transiently suppressed. In sciatic nerve motor axons, neuromuscular junction remodeling processes were increased. In conclusion, we provide preclinical and neurobiological evidence that inhibition of ROCK by the clinically approved small molecule inhibitor Fasudil may be a novel therapeutic approach in ALS combining both neuroprotection and immunomodulation for the cure of this devastating disease.

Clinical testing and spinal cord removal in a mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder resulting in progressive degeneration of motoneurons. Peak of onset is around 60 years for the sporadic disease and around 50 years for the familial disease. Due to its progressive course, 50% of the patients die within 30 months of symptom onset. In order to evaluate novel treatment options for this disease, genetic mouse models of ALS have been generated based on human familial mutations in the SOD gene, such as the SOD1 (G93A) mutation. Most important aspects that have to be evaluated in the model are overall survival, clinical course and motor function. Here, we demonstrate the clinical evaluation, show the conduction of two behavioural motor tests and provide quantitative scoring systems for all parameters. Because an in depth analysis of the ALS mouse model usually requires an immunohistochemical examination of the spinal cord, we demonstrate its preparation in detail applying the dorsal laminectomy method. Exemplary histological findings are demonstrated. The comprehensive application of the depicted examination methods in studies on the mouse model of ALS will enable the researcher to reliably test future therapeutic options which can provide a basis for later human clinical trials.

Structure and stability of 2S albumin-type peanut allergens: implications for the severity of peanut allergic reactions.

Resistance to proteolytic enzymes and heat is thought to be a prerequisite property of food allergens. Allergens from peanut (Arachis hypogaea) are the most frequent cause of fatal food allergic reactions. The allergenic 2S albumin Ara h 2 and the homologous minor allergen Ara h 6 were studied at the molecular level with regard to allergenic potency of native and protease-treated allergen. A high-resolution solution structure of the protease-resistant core of Ara h 6 was determined by NMR spectroscopy, and homology modelling was applied to generate an Ara h 2 structure. Ara h 2 appeared to be the more potent allergen, even though the two peanut allergens share substantial cross-reactivity. Both allergens contain cores that are highly resistant to proteolytic digestion and to temperatures of up to 100 degrees C. Even though IgE antibody-binding capacity was reduced by protease treatment, the mediator release from a functional equivalent of a mast cell or basophil, the humanized RBL (rat basophilic leukaemia) cell, demonstrated that this reduction in IgE antibody-binding capacity does not necessarily translate into reduced allergenic potency. Native Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 have virtually identical allergenic potency as compared with the allergens that were treated with digestive enzymes. The folds of the allergenic cores are virtually identical with each other and with the fold of the corresponding regions in the undigested proteins. The extreme immunological stability of the core structures of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 provides an explanation for the persistence of the allergenic potency even after food processing.

Development of an epitope-specific analytical tool for the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 using a high-density multiple-antigenic peptide strategy.

Using the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 as an example, an analytical tool enabling the determination of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-epitopes in processed food allergens was developed. We synthesized a multiple-antigenic peptide (MAP) of the IgE-reactive linear epitope 3 (amino acid positions 27-36) of Ara h 2 and raised a monospecific antiserum against this epitope to obtain a positive control for future epitope resolved diagnostics. First, a MAP of epitope 3, having a molecular mass of 7770 Da, was synthesized, purified, and its structure confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (electrospray ionization) (LC-MS(ESI)), matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF), and Edman sequencing. The MAP was then used to raise high titer antibodies in rabbits using the adjuvant Titermax and to characterize the specificity of IgE from allergenic patients sensitized to Ara h 2. The antiserum exclusively detects Ara h 2 in crude peanut extract with a titer of 10(7) by Western blot and reacts specifically with epitope 3 shown by epitope mapping for a library of solid-phase-bound synthetic 15-mer peptides covering the entire sequence of Ara h 2. Such IgE-reactive epitopes are of high analytical relevance as they could constitute the basis for epitope-specific detection systems for use in quality control in the food industry or for forensic purposes in cases of fatal reactions to otherwise undetected peanut proteins.

Isolation and characterization of natural Ara h 6: evidence for a further peanut allergen with putative clinical relevance based on resistance to pepsin digestion and heat.

Peanut allergy is a significant health problem because of its prevalence and the potential severity of the allergic reaction. The characterization of peanut allergens is crucial to the understanding of the mechanism of peanut allergy. Recently, we described cloning of the peanut allergen Ara h 6. The aim of this study was isolation and further characterization of nAra h 6. We purified nAra h 6 from crude peanut extract using gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The preparation was further characterized by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) with subsequent immunoblotting. Stability of nAra h 6 was studied by an in vitro digestibility assay as well as by resistance against thermal processing. Sequencing of nAra h 6 identified the N-terminal amino acid sequence as MRRERGRQGDSSS. Further results clearly demonstrated stability of nAra h 6 against pepsin digestion and heating. Immunoglobulin G (IgE) binding analysis and its biological activity shown by RBL 25/30-test of natural Ara h 6 supported the importance of this peanut allergen. Investigation of nAra h 6 revealed evidence for a further peanut allergen with putative clinical relevance based on resistance to pepsin digestion and heat.

High-yield expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and characterization of properly folded major peanut allergen Ara h 2.

Allergic reactions to peanuts are a serious health problem because of their high prevalence, associated with potential severity, and chronicity. One of the three major allergens in peanut, Ara h 2, is a member of the conglutin family of seed storage proteins. Ara h 2 shows high sequence homology to proteins of the 2S albumin family. Presently, only very few structural data from allergenic proteins of this family exist. For a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of food-induced allergies and for the development of therapeutic strategies knowledge of the high-resolution three-dimensional structure of allergenic proteins is essential. We report a method for the efficient large-scale preparation of properly folded Ara h 2 for structural studies and report CD-spectroscopic data. In contrast to other allergenic 2S albumins, Ara h 2 exists as a single continuous polypeptide chain in peanut seeds, and thus heterologous expression in Escherichia coli was possible. Ara h 2 was expressed as Trx-His-tag fusion protein in E. coli Origami (DE3), a modified E. coli strain with oxidizing cytoplasm which allows the formation of disulfide bridges. It could be shown that recombinant Ara h 2, thus overexpressed and purified, and the allergen isolated from peanuts are identical as judged from immunoblotting, analytical HPLC, and circular dichroism spectra.