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Sigma-1R agonist improves motor function and motoneuron survival in ALS mice.

ABSTRACT: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive weakness, muscle atrophy, and paralysis due to the loss of upper and lower motoneurons (MNs). Sigma-1 receptor (sigma-1R) activation promotes neuroprotection after ischemic and traumatic injuries to the central nervous system. We recently reported that sigma-1R agonist (PRE-084) improves the survival of MNs after root avulsion injury in rats. Moreover, a mutation of the sigma-1R leading to frontotemporal lobar degeneration/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was recently described in human patients. In the present study, we analyzed the potential therapeutic effect of the sigma-1R agonist (PRE-084) in the SOD1(G93A) mouse model of ALS. Mice were daily administered with PRE-084 (0.25 mg/kg) from 8 to 16 weeks of age. Functional outcome was assessed by electrophysiological tests and computerized analysis of locomotion. Histological, immunohistochemical analyses and Western blot of the spinal cord were performed. PRE-084 administration from 8 weeks of age improved the function of MNs, which was manifested by maintenance of the amplitude of muscle action potentials and locomotor behavior, and preserved neuromuscular connections and MNs in the spinal cord. Moreover, it extended survival in both female and male mice by more than 15 %. Delayed administration of PRE-084 from 12 weeks of age also significantly improved functional outcome and preservation of the MNs. There was an induction of protein kinase C-specific phosphorylation of the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in SOD1(G93A) animals, and a reduction of the microglial reactivity compared with untreated mice. PRE-084 exerts a dual therapeutic contribution, modulating NMDA Ca(2+) influx to protect MNs, and the microglial reactivity to ameliorate the MN environment. In conclusion, sigma-1R agonists, such as PRE-084, may be promising candidates for a therapeutical strategy of ALS.

SUBMITTER: Mancuso R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3480575 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Sigma-1R agonist improves motor function and motoneuron survival in ALS mice.

Mancuso Renzo R Oliván Sara S Rando Amaya A Casas Caty C Osta Rosario R Navarro Xavier X

Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics 20121001 4

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive weakness, muscle atrophy, and paralysis due to the loss of upper and lower motoneurons (MNs). Sigma-1 receptor (sigma-1R) activation promotes neuroprotection after ischemic and traumatic injuries to the central nervous system. We recently reported that sigma-1R agonist (PRE-084) improves the survival of MNs after root avulsion injury in rats. Moreover, a mutation of the sigma-1R leading to frontotemporal l ...[more]

PMID: 22935988

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Project description:Normal aging can result in a decline of memory and muscle function. Exercise may prevent or delay these changes. However, aging associated frailty may preclude physical activity. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a transcriptional regulator important for muscle physiology. In the present study we investigated effects of AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) on memory and motor function in young (2-month-old), aged (23-month-old) C57Bl/6 mice, and transgenic mice with muscle-specific mutated AMPK alpha-subunit (AMPK-DN). Mice were injected with AICAR (500 mg/kg) for 3 to 14 days and tested in the Morris water maze, rotarod and open field. Improved water maze performance and motor function was observed, albeit at longer duration of administration, in aged (14 days AICAR) than young (3 days AICAR) mice. In the AMPKDN mice, the compound did not enhance behavior, providing support for a muscle mediated mechanism. In addition, microarray analysis of muscle and hippocampal tissue derived from aged mice treated with AICAR revealed changes in gene expression in both tissues, which correlated with behavioral effects in a dose-dependent manner. Pronounced up-regulation of mitochondrial genes in muscle was observed. In the hippocampus genes relevant to neuronal development and plasticity were enriched. Altogether, endurance related factors may mediate both muscle and brain health in aging, and could play a role in new therapeutic interventions. Key words: Skeletal Muscle, Brain, Exercise, AMPK, Learning and Memory, Morris water maze 23-month old female C57BL/6J mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME) were housed under standard conditions, 3 mice per cage, with food and water ad libitum. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-a-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR, Toronto Research Chemicals Inc., Canada) dissolved in saline, 500 mg/kg/day for 3 (ACR3), 7 (ACR7) or 14 (ACR14) days or saline vehicle, for 3 (CTR) days. Thirty-three days after the final injection animals were deeply anesthetized with isofluorane and perfused transcardially with 0.9% NaCl solution. The gastrocnemius muscle and Hippocampus were quickly removed, frozen on dry ice and stored at M-bM-^HM-^R80 M-BM-0C for RNA isolation and microarray analysis.

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Sigma-1R agonist improves motor function and motoneuron survival in ALS mice.

Publications

Sigma-1R agonist improves motor function and motoneuron survival in ALS mice.

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