Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases do affect glial or neuronal cells in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Although they are characterized by different features and a different onset, all the neurodegenerative diseases share the final steps that lead to cell death by apoptosis. Apoptosis occurs also during developmental neurogenesis. Neuron survival and differentiation depend on specific neurotrophic factors released by their targets. During degenerative diseases the loss of neuronal or glial cells is responsible for the diseases progression. Current therapies are focused on counteracting the degenerative events by acting on the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular death, or by the exogenous administration of pro-survival factors. The presence in many areas of both the peripheral and central nervous systems of niches of neural progenitors which can differentiate, under specific conditions, into neurons or glial cells opens up new therapeutic perspectives. The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) family, that includes ERK1/2, JNK/SAPK, p38 and ERK5, is involved in the survival, proliferation and differentiation of nervous cells. Some of the MAPKs promote the differentiation towards the neuron lineage, others towards the glial one. The MAPKs are also involved in apoptosis and may, therefore, play a role in neurodegeneration. This dual role of MAPKs may make it possible to design alternative and/or synergistic approaches to the treatment of degenerative diseases, either by using specific inhibitors of the MAPKs involved in apoptosis, or by increasing the activation of the MAPKs involved in neuronal survival and differentiation. The increased activation of pro-differentiative MAPKs can lead to the replacement of damaged neurons by undifferentiated progenitors and the slowing down of the diseases progression.
Keywords: stem cells, MAPK inhibitors, neurodegenerative diseases, cell fate determination, MAPK
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: MAPKs as Mediators of Cell Fate Determination: an Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases
Volume: 15 Issue: 6
Author(s): G. Tredici, M. Miloso, A. Scuteri and D. Foudah
Affiliation:
Keywords: stem cells, MAPK inhibitors, neurodegenerative diseases, cell fate determination, MAPK
Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases do affect glial or neuronal cells in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Although they are characterized by different features and a different onset, all the neurodegenerative diseases share the final steps that lead to cell death by apoptosis. Apoptosis occurs also during developmental neurogenesis. Neuron survival and differentiation depend on specific neurotrophic factors released by their targets. During degenerative diseases the loss of neuronal or glial cells is responsible for the diseases progression. Current therapies are focused on counteracting the degenerative events by acting on the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular death, or by the exogenous administration of pro-survival factors. The presence in many areas of both the peripheral and central nervous systems of niches of neural progenitors which can differentiate, under specific conditions, into neurons or glial cells opens up new therapeutic perspectives. The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) family, that includes ERK1/2, JNK/SAPK, p38 and ERK5, is involved in the survival, proliferation and differentiation of nervous cells. Some of the MAPKs promote the differentiation towards the neuron lineage, others towards the glial one. The MAPKs are also involved in apoptosis and may, therefore, play a role in neurodegeneration. This dual role of MAPKs may make it possible to design alternative and/or synergistic approaches to the treatment of degenerative diseases, either by using specific inhibitors of the MAPKs involved in apoptosis, or by increasing the activation of the MAPKs involved in neuronal survival and differentiation. The increased activation of pro-differentiative MAPKs can lead to the replacement of damaged neurons by undifferentiated progenitors and the slowing down of the diseases progression.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Tredici G., Miloso M., Scuteri A. and Foudah D., MAPKs as Mediators of Cell Fate Determination: an Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 15 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986708783769731
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986708783769731 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Recent Development in Fluorescent Probes for Copper Ion Detection
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors as Brain Targets for Pharmacotherapy of Drug Addiction
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Capsaicin Paradox: Pain Relief by an Algesic Agent
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Lymphadenopathy as a Prodrome for Systemic Lupus Erythematous
Current Rheumatology Reviews Chemokines and Their Receptors in Chronic Pulmonary Disease
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Review of Somnambulism in Children
Current Pediatric Reviews Relevance of Dopamine D2/Neurotensin NTS1 and NMDA/Neurotensin NTS1 Receptor Interaction in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry Integrative Physiology of Orexins and Orexin Receptors
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Gastro-Esophageal Reflux and Chronic Cough
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Systemic Adverse Drug Reactions Secondary to Anti-VEGF Intravitreal Injection in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Current Vascular Pharmacology Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Molecular Pharmacology No Significant Effect of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone on APP Processing and Alzheimer-Associated Phenotypes
Current Alzheimer Research Abnormal Bodily Experiences May be a Marker of Early Schizophrenia?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Atypical Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or Serotonin Toxicity Associated with Atypical Antipsychotics?
Current Drug Safety Polymeric Nanoparticles for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery: An Update on Research and Patenting Activity
Recent Patents on Nanomedicine Drug-Related Decrease in Neuropsychological Functions of Abstinent Drug Users
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Behavioral and Neurochemical Studies in Distinct Animal Models of Ethanols Motivational Effects
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Engineered Probiotic and Prebiotic Nutraceutical Supplementations in Combating Non-communicable Disorders: A Review
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Altering the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate/Ceramide Balance: A Promising Approach for Tumor Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Application and Interpretation of Genome-Wide Association (GWA) Studies for Informing Pharmacogenomic Research - Examples from the Field of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Current Molecular Medicine