Neurotrophic factors and Parkinson's disease

Corresponding Author:

Rahul Deshmukh
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda -151001, Punjab
E-mail: 9rajatbhardwaj9@gmail.com; drrahuld09@gmail.com; rahuldeshmukh@mrsptu.ac.in

Submitted Date: 08 February 2018; Accepted Date: 24 February 2018; Published Date: 03 March 2018

Abstract

Neurotrophins play a major role in adult neuronal survival, maintenance and regeneration. Alterations in their levels have been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). It has been reported that, the pathophysiology of PD progress is essentially depends on various striatal signaling cascade, which consists handful of neurotrophic factors namely, cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF), glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF). Although, the exact pathophysiology of PD is remained elusive however, the loss of dopaminergic neurons and dopamine deficiency has considered as a major consequence for the movement disability as seen in PD. It has been proposed that loss of dopaminergic neurons in PD may be conducted by inadequate neurotrophic activity which leads to neuronal apoptosis. In addition, stimulation of neurotrophic factors in the striatal brain region has been reported to be beneficial in experimental models of PD. In the current review we have detailed out the neurotrophic factors and their role in pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.

Keywords

Parkinson’s disease, Neurotrophic factors, NGF, BDNF, GDNF, MANF and CDNF Movement disorders

Abbreviations

PD: Parkinson’s Disease, NGF: Nerve Growth Factor, BDNF: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor, NT: Neurotrophins, GDNF: Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor, CNTF: Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor, Trk: Tyrosine receptor kinase; p75NTR: pan-75 Neurotrophic Receptor; NTFs: Neurotrophic Factors.

Introduction

The neurotrophins are basically defined as growth factors, in which there main functions are to regulate distinction and growths while the evolution of nervous system. The study of neurotrophins led to the hypothesis that neurons should have bonding with each other for specific survival factors [1,2]. A similitude imagines would be growing two plants in a pot. These two plants compete with each other for the limited amount of nutrients in the soil, and the plant better capable to take up nutrients would be more likely to survive. The neurotrophic factor hypothesis proposed that presence or absence of neurotrophins determines whether a given neuron will live or die [3]. There are so many affirmations that NTFs and their families work in synchronization and affect each other. Neurotrophins family comprises of Ciliary neurotrophic factors (CNTF), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin 4 (NT4), Neurotrophin 3 (NT3), Nerve growth factor (NGF) and Glial-derived neurotrophic factors (GDNF). There are two more factors in neurotrophins family i.e. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) and Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF; official name by HUGO gene nomenclature committee; previous name conserved dopamine NTF) which involve in development of protein family responding neurotrophic activities [4-6]. MANF reported as founding member of the family and identified from the culture medium of rat Type-1 astrocyte ventral mesencephalic cell line 1 (VMCL1) based on its supporting and developing activities on cultured embroynic dopaminergic neurons. CDNF was first identified by bioinformatics and later biochemically characterized. Mature CDNF protein consists of 161 amino acid residues (pre CDNF is 187 amino acids long), and is a vertebrate specific paralog of MANF. CDNF and MANF encoding genes are highly conserved in evolution. In order to elicit a survival response, each of them binds to one member of the tyrosine receptor kinase (Trk) family: NGF to TrkA, BDNF and NT4 to TrkB, and NT3 to TrkC. After binding to pan-75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), apoptotic pathway imitated and responds to each of the neurotrophins. It has been hypothesized that due to improper activity of trophic factors there will be neuronal apoptosis which may leads to loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it was not reported whether neurons death or decrease in level of neurotrophins involved in PD or any other neuronal loss accompanied to disease in humans [7]. Regardless of the causes of PD; Neurotrophins, by promoting DA neuronal growth and function and by interfering with neurotoxic processes, could be of therapeutic value.

Neurotrophins

Neurotrophins are diffusible peptides secreted from neurons and neuron-supporting cells. They serve as growth factors for the development, maintenance, repair, and survival of specific neuronal populations. During development, NTFs promote neuronal survival, stimulate axonal growth, and play a key role in the construction of the normal synaptic network [8]. Therefore, any alterations in their local synthesis transport or signaling (e.g. binding, internalization, receptor synthesis etc.) due to local damage, aging, mutation, or polymorphism could adversely affect neuronal survival and lead to neuronal death. Indeed studies shows that alteration of neurotrophins for selective neuronal population might correlate with the neurodegeneration. Recently, researchers have directed their attention to the identification of those conditions promoting human neuronal survival and repair in neurodegenerative diseases.

Structure of neurotrophins

The neurotrophins are produced as precursor proteins, which are cleaved at dibasic amino acids to produce a mature form of 118-130 amino acids. Neurotrophin is a noncovalent dimer of 13 kDa polypeptide chains. Each protomer is bound together by three disulfide bridges arranged in a highly characteristic cysteineknot motif, a feature common to all members of the neurotrophin family. The NTs protomer consists of two pairs of antiparallel β-strands that form an elongated dimer interface. The NT dimer interface is held together by noncovalent interactions, largely comprised of hydrophobic interactions between aromatic residues.

Discoveries of neurotrophins

The era of growth factors research began fifty years ago with discovery of different neurotrophic factors with their physiological role and potential clinical application (Figure 1).

Types

The types of neurotrophins consists of cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factors (CDNF), mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factors (MANF) Brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin 4 (NT4), Neurotrophin 3 (NT3), Nerve growth factor (NGF) and Glial-derived neurotrophic factors (GDNF) (Table 1).

Table 1: Types of neurotrophins

Signaling pathways

The activity of neurotrophins is through Trk receptors. Neurotrophins at physiological conditions have specificity with Trk receptors. There are different type of Trk receptors which binds with NTs i.e.; TrkA binds with NGF, TrkB binds with both BDNF and NT-4 and TrkC binds with NT-3 [9]. The expression of these receptors is having similarities with known affectability of neurons to particular neurotrophins. After attaching on the surface of NT, the Trk receptor tyrosine kinase activation initiated and the most basic substrate of this action regulated by the receptor itself. The receptor turns out to be quickly autophosphorylated, and this is essential for the receptor activity. The receptor autophosphorylation shapes the docking destinations for the association of downstream signaling molecules. Most proteins that are having affinity for binding with phosphorylated tyrosine can be categorized as one of two gatherings. The most well-known phospho tyrosine binding is the src-homology area 2, or SH-2 domain. SH-2 areas are ordinarily distinguished in view of their homology to other SH-2 domain– containing proteins. Some of these have been indicated specifically to have affinity for phosphorylated tyrosine in the proper amino acid context. The SH-2 domain–containing proteins additionally frequently interact with proteins containing, a src-homology space 3, or SH- 3. After these flagging proteins tie to the activated autophosphorylated receptor, where they end up becoming activated [10]. The components by which they are enacted were as yet obscure. Frequently they, excessively progress toward becoming phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. Moreover, their adherence to the membrane or into signaling complexes assumes a crucial contribution in the initiation of specific activity. Actuation of each of these NT-signaling proteins triggers particular downstream cascades of target enzymes and other biological impacts [11]. In spite of the fact that there is incredible assorted variety of neurotrophic factor receptors, they appear to trigger just a couple of very much conserved sorts of downstream signaling pathways. Among the best described of the pathways consists the Ras/ extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, the phosphotidylinositol-3’- OH-kinase (PI3K) pathway, and the phospholipase C-(PLC-) pathway. Furthermore, particular tyrosine phosphates are activated that regulate these responses and may contain pathway-actuating properties of their own. There is likewise confirmation of cross-talk between G-protein–coupled receptor flagging pathways and the NT cascades. A wide range of communications happen between the G protein receptor– coupled second messenger pathways and the Trk signaling pathways (Figure 2) [12].

P75 Neurotrophin receptor –mediated signaling pathways

The p75NTR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and was the first identified neurotrophin receptor. The p75 neurotrophin receptor binds all of the neurotrophins equally, with relatively single- affinity compared with Trk binding [13]. Expression of p75 can increase the affinity of TrkA for NGF and can enhance its specificity for cognate Neurotrophins [14]. Although, it does nothave a catalytic intracellular tyrosine kinase domain, it is capable of mediating the neurotrophin signals. This happens both by its modulating TrkA signaling and independently of Trk. The ligand binding of p75NTR increases the high-affinity TrkA binding sites enhances TrkA autophosphorylation and selectivity for neurotrophin ligands [15]. The Trk-independent pathway of p75NTR increases intracellular ceramide levels and further activates NFkB transcription factor and JNK kinase. Conversely, TrkA activation inhibits p75NTR-mediated signaling, but the mechanism of this inhibition is unclear. One established function of p75 is to promote cell death [16]. P75 receptor is known to bind the unprocessed pro neurotrophins with ligand engagement resulting in dramatically different consequences, such as apoptosis, than those that follow ligand engagement of Trk receptors [17].

Several signaling pathways are activated following neurotrophin binding to p75NTR. These are mediated through binding p75NTR of several adaptor proteins, including Traf6, neurotrophin receptor-interacting factor (NRIF), melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE), neurotrophin receptor p75 interacting MAGE

homologue (NRAGE), Schwann cell factor 1 (SC1), RhoGDI and other proteins [18]. One major pathway activated by p75NTR engagement by neurotrophins is the Jun kinase signaling cascade. Signaling through this cascade results in activation of p53 and apoptosis. In addition, the Jun kinase cascade induces expression of Fas ligand in neuronal cells, promoting apoptosis through activation of the Fas receptor (Figure 3) [19].

Binding specificity of neurotrophins: The binding of neurotrophin ligands to their respective cellular receptors initiates intracellular signals essential for the growth and survival of neurons (Table 2).

Table 2: Binding specificity of neurotrophins

Neurotrophins and Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is an idiopathic neurodegenerative disorder which affects more than million people worldwide. Aging is major cause of PD as according to rising in age of common population, the prevalence of PD will increase in future [20]. There are motor and non-motor symptoms which are sign of PD, motor symptoms are rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia and postural abnormalities and non-motor are cognitive impairment, anxiety, fatigue and depression but there is still no biological marker that confirms the diagnosis for PD. PD is signalized by the progressive death of selected heterogeneous bundles of neurons, including the neuromelanin-laden dopaminergic neurons of the SNpc [21]. Neuronal loss founds to be more in the ventrolateral tier followed by the medial ventral tier and dorsal tier within the SNpc, not all dopamine neurons prediction are equally receptive [22]. It results in a regional loss of striatal dopamine, most prominently in the dorsal and intermediate subdivisions of the putamen, a process that is believed to account for akinesia and rigidity. Despite the great research efforts of the last decade, the etiopathogenesis of PD is still unknown. L-dopa and DA agonists are currently used to alleviate symptoms of PD, but most treated patients still develop a progressive functional disability that severely affects their quality of life [23]. The mechanisms responsible for cell death in PD are largely unknown. Increasing evidence suggests that neuronal death in the SNpc may be apoptotic and the neurotrophins are well reported to overcome this neuronal death [24].

Neurotrophins have clinical role in neuronal functioning, and is not necessary that neurodegenerative and other related disorder are due to altered neurotrophic factors and with change in their receptor expression [25]. As, increased expression of NTFs have neuroprotective role against brain damage to protect neurons against oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and apoptosis [26].

It has been reported that NGF family and their receptors are confined in melanin-positive neurons of Substantia Nigra pars compata (SNpc) [27]. Further, it was reported that, in PD pathology changes or decrease in the BDNF and NGF levels are quite common, which is unlike the changes in stain of NT3 or NT4/5 in PD [28]. Intriguingly, watched loss of DA neurons in PD has been found to be associated with the lack of trophic factors, which assists neuronal fate towards apoptosis. Notwithstanding, equivocal reports on neuronal loss is principally points towards apoptotic processes in PD; however, the role of decreased trophic factors mediates such apoptotic process, are less studied in PD [29]. NGF family of trophic factors is abundant in dopaminergic neurons and their release is associated with BDNF function [30]. Though, in vivo studies showed the insufficiency of BDNF did not overcome nigral dopamine loss [31]. Further, a recent study has demonstrated that, 6-OHDA administration and then BDNF and NTF4/5 treatment could increase dopamine metabolism. Another study showed that, BDNF not only replenishes the DA level but also rescues the GABAergic neurons after ibotenic-induced toxicity at striatum/pallidus. This result also supports the notion of glutamate normalization by BDNF. It is also reported that, BDNF promotes protective attributes against MPTP-induced parkinsonian toxicity in mesencephalic DA neurons of rodent and primate PD models. Moreover, administration of NGFs secures TH positives neurons from MPTP induced toxicity in animal model of PD [32].

In recent research some of the researchers observed that GDNF family elevates the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in midbrain 6-OHDA induced rat models of PD [33]. It was found by the biochemical and behavioral parameters like; route of administration, place of injection, age of rats and method of delivery into the brain and after these studies it was concluded that GDNF ameliorated the behavioral and biochemical parameters of 6-OHDA model of PD [34]. The main evidence of the 6-OHDA induced model associated with adeno-associated viral expressing GDNF state that viral delivery of a GDNF gene with couple of cell lines rescued and protected dopamine neurons. Neurturin (NTN) delivery in the SNpc also shown to be effective in protection of nigral neurons in 6-OHDA induced model. In the adult rat striatum of 6-OHDA lesions model, GDNF administration showed most protective effect to recover the dopaminergic neurons than administration of NTN [35]. This concludes that in the striatum, NTN is less protective then GDNF. Another member of GDNF family which is known as Persephin (PSP) was also shown to prevent the loss of dopamine neurons and improve behavioral impairments of 6-OHDA lesioned rats. When GDNF injected in the SNpc or into striatum before and after MPTP administration in rats and monkeys potently protected the dopamine system, as indicated by the number of mesencephalic dopamine nerve cell bodies, density of dopamine nerve terminals, levels of dopamine and motor behavior. In several studies it has been observed that adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, or lentiviral vectors expressing GDNF reported dopamine neurons protection against MPTP and 6-OHDA toxin in rats and monkeys [36]. A combined GDNF and BDNF treatment was also found to have a protective effect of nigral tissue.

CDNF and MANF are expressed in the developing nigro-striatal system of the mouse at P1 and P10, that is around the two postnatal PCD peaks of midbrain dopaminergic neurons at P2 and P14, suggesting that CDNF and MANF may have a role in the development of midbrain dopaminergic system. In the adult mouse, MANF protein was also localized in TH positive dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra, whether MANF or CDNF function as targetderived NTFs for midbrain dopaminergic neurons is currently unknown. Future studies on CDNF and MANF-deficient mice should reveal the developmental role of these new NTFs. The widespread expression of CDNF and MANF suggests that endogenous CDNF and MANF secreted by other sources than the striatal target may affect maturation of rodent dopaminergic system in vivo [37]. Whether CDNF and MANF affect PNS neurons or other neuronal types in addition to dopaminergic neurons and cortical neurons in the CNS in vivo is unknown. In vitro, CDNF protein was unable to promote the survival of embryonic motor neurons or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, or early postnatal sympathetic cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons differently from GDNF that supports the survival of different neuronal populations including motoneurons and enteric, sensory, parasympathetic, and sympathetic neurons. Similar to the results obtained with CDNF were also reported for the MANF protein, although MANF showed a small survival promoting effect on DRG neurons [38].

Cdnf and Manf are expressed in the developing nigrostriatal system of the mouse at P1 and P10 (Lindholm et al., 2007, 2008), that is around the two postnatal PCD peaks of midbrain dopaminergic neu- rons at P2 and P14 (Burke, 2004), suggesting that CDNF and MANF may have a role in the develop- ment of midbrain dopaminergic system. In the adult mouse, MANF protein was also localized in TH- positive dopaminergic neurons in the SN (Lindholm et al., 2008). Whether MANF or CDNF function as target-derived NTFs for midbrain dopaminergic neu- rons is currently unknown. Future studies on CDNF- and MANFdeficient mice should reveal the develop- mental role of these new NTFs. The widespread expression of CDNF and MANF (Lindholm et al., 2007, 2008) suggests that endogenous CDNF and MANF secreted by other sources than the striatal tar- get may affect maturation of rodent dopaminergic system in vivo Cdnf and Manf are expressed in the developing nigro-striatal system of the mouse at P1 and P10 (Lindholm et al., 2007, 2008), that is around the two postnatal PCD peaks of midbrain dopaminergic neu- rons at P2 and P14 (Burke, 2004), suggesting that CDNF and MANF may have a role in the develop- ment of midbrain dopaminergic system. In the adult mouse, MANF protein was also localized in TH- positive dopaminergic neurons in the SN (Lindholm et al., 2008). Whether MANF or CDNF function as target-derived NTFs for midbrain dopaminergic neu- rons is currently unknown. Future studies on CDNF- and MANFdeficient mice should reveal the develop- mental role of these new NTFs. The widespread expression of CDNF and MANF (Lindholm et al., 2007, 2008) suggests that endogenous CDNF and MANF secreted by other sources than the striatal tar- get may affect maturation of rodent dopaminergic system in vivo

Neurotrophins Crosstalk with Neurobiology of PD

Dopaminergic signaling

Dopamine is one of the main monoaminergic neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. The mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mDA) neurons– responsible for the major source of dopamine in the brain as, PD is a movement disorder characterized by a progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the SNpc. The cause of degeneration of DA neurons in patients with PD is not completely understood, but mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, protein aggregations, and reduced neurotrophic signaling are commonly observed in PD patients [39]. This multiple-hit hypothesis states that these assembled alterations are finally leading to the collapse of the protein network essential for DA cell survival [40]. Recent, discoveries shows that mice that have genetically lost the GDNF receptor, the receptor tyrosine kinase RET showed an age- and cell type–specific loss of SNpc DA neurons. But why the DA system depends on neurotrophic GDNF/RETS signaling and which downstream signaling cascades are used for their beneficial effect is still unknown. In recent studies, it states that RET and DJ-1, a protein mutated in familial forms of PD, are required to overcome DA cell body maintenance through the RAS/MAPK pathway. The PD associated gene PARK2 which encodes the protein parkin, an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase important for mitochondrial probity and quality control [41]. Since the parkin gene and RET have been shown to function in the protein network altered in patients with PD and parkin influences intracellular Signaling cascades of other receptor tyrosine kinase [42]. Interestingly, elevated parkin and GDNF/RET signaling can prevent mitochondrial dysfunction caused by either RET or parkin deficiency. As, parkin and RET together protect mitochondrial integrity and function through the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/NF-κB (PI3K/NF-κB) pathway, which can prevent DA neuron degeneration [43]. To attain more detail of parkin and Ret in DA neurons, there is a two models, the first mouse model was parkin and Ret double-deficient mice which showed an accelerated dopaminergic cell loss specifically in the substantia nigra and dopaminergic fiber loss in the striatum compared to no alterations in parkin- and a moderate degeneration in Ret-deficient mice. The double deficient mice also showed reduced dopamine levels, increased anxiety and reduced ATP and mitochondrial complex I activity as also reported for PD patients. The second mouse model was mice over expressing human parkin in a Ret-deficient background which did not show the age related dopaminergic system degeneration observed in Ret-deficient mice [44]. This suggests that enhanced parkin signaling is not only protective against toxin- and stress induced dopaminergic system degeneration, but also against neurotrophic deprivation induced by Ret loss [45].

Non-dopaminergic signaling

Although, dopaminergic degeneration is a prominent mechanism of PD pathology, however, the exact cause of this degeneration remained elusive. Moreover, current drug therapy aiming to improve dopaminergic signaling did not completely restore motor functions & is associated with other non-motor symptoms such as dyskinesia, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, or sensory symptoms [46]. In Parkinson’s disease, when the level of dopamine decreases, there is also the decrease in another neurotransmitter, acetylcholine since the motor function of the striatum is dependent on the equilibrium between dopamine and acetylcholine. This further disruption results in imbalance of neurotransmitters which contributes to disease progression. Dysregulation in the other neurotransmitters, norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma amino butyric (GABA), may further contribute to secondary symptoms related to PD [47]. Variety of other factors has been considered to be liable for dopaminergic neuronal degeneration such as imbalance between GABAergic & Glutamatergic signaling. Deficiency of GABAergic Signaling has been implicated in the development of motor dysfunction whereas up regulation in glutamatergic signaling has been well known to cause excitotoxic neuronal cell death in the striatal region of the brain. In addition increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation etc. has also been implicated in striatal degeneration as seen in PD [48].

Conclusion

BDNF, NGF, GDNF, MANF and CDNF have been associated with neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. Above data suggests that neurotrophins play an important role in neural development, neurotransmission and improvement of dopaminergic neuronal loss in Parkinson’s disease, leading to betterment of motor functions in PD patients. Therefore, it can be concluded that neurotrophins would be helpful in therapeutic in the management of motor dysfunction and associated comorbidities as seen in PD.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the Science and Engineering Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi, for providing financial assistance under the Fast Track Scheme (DST-SERBFTYS) (SB/YS/LS-111/2013) to Dr. Rahul Deshmukh.

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