The Wnt proteins were initially implicated in viral carcinogenesis experiments associated with mammary tumors, but since this period investigations focusing on the Wnt pathways, and especially those involving the family member Wnt-1, have been advanced to demonstrate the critical nature of Wnt-1 for the development of the central nervous system (CMS) as well as the potential of Wnt to avert apoptotic injury. As a result, it becomes vital to understand the cellular mechanisms that could foster Wnt-1 as a novel therapeutic target for apoptotic cellular injury in the CNS. We will employ both in vitro and in vivo models in our studies directly relevant to neurodegenerative disease. In vitro studies will consist of oxygen-glucose deprivation and nitric oxide-induced oxidative stress with primary hippocampal neurons used for transient transfections and the neuronal SH-SY5Y cell line used for stable transfections. Rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion injury will compliment this approach to serve as an in vivo model of oxidative stress.
In Specific Aim I, we will examine the hypothesis that Wnt-1 signaling is altered by oxidative stress in ischemic brain, neurons, SH-SY5Y cells, and in astrocytes. It is important to consider the effects of Wnt-1 in neuronal cells and astrocytes, since astrocytes may be protective to neurons during oxidative stress.
In Specific Aim II, we will investigate the hypothesis that Wnt-1 and its modulation of GSK-3(3 and (3-catenin are required to protect cells against oxidative stress induced apoptosis using overexpression of the Wnt-1 gene as well as targeted gene silencing techniques.
In Specific Aim III, we will examine the hypothesis that Wnt-1 protects cells against oxidative stress through the novel activity of protein kinase B (Akt1), modulation of mTOR, Bad, and Bim, and the inhibition of the Forkhead transcription factor FOXOSa.
In Specific Aim I V, given that inflammatory microglial activation is dependent upon both PS exposure on injured neurons and intracellular microglial pathways that involve microglial phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) expression, we will examine the ability of Wnt-1 to modulate neuronal cell pathways that control PS expression and microglial activation as well as the ability of Wnt-1 in microglia to control their activity, proliferation, PSR expression, and cytokine release. With the knowledge that over 23 million people in the United States suffer from CNS disorders composed of only a few neurodegenerative disease entities, such as cerebral ischemic disease and Alzheimer's disease, the studies proposed in this application are directly relevant to the clinical care and treatment of these individuals. Our preliminary results illustrate a unique role for Wnt-1 in its ability to impact upon and protect against oxidative stress induced cell injury and inflammatory cell activation. Through these investigations, we seek to offer innovative avenues to advance therapeutics for diseases of the CNS.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01NS053946-05S1
Application #
8312243
Study Section
Cell Death in Neurodegeneration Study Section (CDIN)
Program Officer
Bosetti, Francesca
Project Start
2007-02-01
Project End
2012-08-31
Budget Start
2010-09-22
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$559,803
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
623946217
City
Newark
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
07107
Maiese, Kenneth (2018) Novel Treatment Strategies for the Nervous System: Circadian Clock Genes, Non-coding RNAs, and Forkhead Transcription Factors. Curr Neurovasc Res 15:81-91
Maiese, Kenneth (2018) The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1): oversight for neurodegenerative disorders. Biochem Soc Trans 46:351-360
Maiese, Kenneth (2018) Sirtuins: Developing Innovative Treatments for Aged-Related Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neurovasc Res :
Maiese, Kenneth (2017) Moving to the Rhythm with Clock (Circadian) Genes, Autophagy, mTOR, and SIRT1 in Degenerative Disease and Cancer. Curr Neurovasc Res 14:299-304
Maiese, Kenneth (2017) Warming Up to New Possibilities with the Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1: mTOR, AMPK, and Erythropoietin. Curr Neurovasc Res 14:184-189
Maiese, Kenneth (2017) Harnessing the Power of SIRT1 and Non-coding RNAs in Vascular Disease. Curr Neurovasc Res 14:82-88
Maiese, Kenneth (2017) Forkhead Transcription Factors: Formulating a FOXO Target for Cognitive Loss. Curr Neurovasc Res 14:415-420
Maiese, Kenneth (2016) Regeneration in the nervous system with erythropoietin. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 21:561-596
Maiese, Kenneth (2016) Forkhead transcription factors: new considerations for alzheimer's disease and dementia. J Transl Sci 2:241-247
Maiese, Kenneth (2016) Charting a course for erythropoietin in traumatic brain injury. J Transl Sci 2:140-144

Showing the most recent 10 out of 94 publications