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- Signal with help: the "commander" molecule may be the key to restoring the brain
Signal with help: the "commander" molecule may be the key to restoring the brain
Scientists have investigated a signaling molecule that can simultaneously trigger several brain repair mechanisms. It is involved in the formation of new neurons, the restoration of the myelin sheath of nerves and the growth of blood vessels. Experts suggest that influencing this system in the future may help in the treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as other pathologies. However, the proposed model requires further experimental confirmation. This is not yet a ready-made medicine, but rather a map of routes along which new and promising treatment methods will be sought, experts stressed.
A signal for brain cells
Russian scientists conducted a large—scale review of scientific data on the role of a special substance - sphingosine-1—phosphate (S1P) - in the restoration of nervous tissue and for the first time proposed a holistic approach to the problem of regulation of these processes. This was reported to Izvestia by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
Staff of the Neurolipidology group: in the center is Professor A.V. Alesenko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, on the left is U. A. Gutner, Candidate of Biological Sciences, and on the right is M. A. Shupik (Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Bioanalytical Processes, IBHF RAS)
Researchers from the Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBHF RAS) have shown by the example of many studies that this signaling molecule involved in the work of brain cells can be involved in several processes of nerve tissue repair at once. These are the formation of new neurons, the restoration of the protective membrane of nerves and the growth of blood vessels.
A signaling molecule is a "commander" molecule that triggers a chain of actions in the body. A substance that transmits information between cells (or within a single cell) to coordinate their work..
Scientists have collected information from the world scientific literature on how this lipid molecule, that is, a substance belonging to the class of fats, works both inside and outside the cell. It transmits commands through five different "receiver" receptors located on the surface of cells. The results obtained allow us to consider the S1P system as one of the important regulators of regenerative processes in the brain of an adult organism.
For a long time, it was believed that the adult brain was practically incapable of recovery. Research in recent decades has shown that this view was too categorical: the processes of cell formation and renewal persist in the brain throughout life, scientists explained to Izvestia. In particular, nerve tissue is capable of neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons and glial cells from neural stem cells. Brain repair also involves oligodendrogenesis, the formation of oligodendrocytes that form the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, and angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels.
— For the first time, we have proposed a holistic approach to the problem of regulation of reparative processes in the brain of an adult organism, including neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis and angiogenesis, through the signaling molecule S1P. A hypothesis has been put forward about the complex role of S1P in the regulation of the neurogenic niche, about the influence of this signaling molecule on all its components.: It affects both neural stem cells and the cellular and molecular environment," said Ulyana Gutner, Candidate of Biological Sciences, researcher at the IBHF RAS.
The study shows the expediency of searching for and developing pharmaceutical drugs based on S1P metabolism for the treatment of CNS pathologies associated with impaired regenerative processes, she noted. At the same time, we are still talking about fundamental research: the mechanisms of action of this system have yet to be experimentally tested in detail.
Treatment of diseases using the S1P molecule
Scientists consider it promising to study drugs that can affect S1P metabolism. For example, fingolimod, the metabolic precursor of S1P, already used in multiple sclerosis, and its analogues can be further considered in the context of stimulating neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
For a long time, it was believed that the adult brain does not recover. Today it is known that new cells form there all their lives, just slowly, explained molecular biologist Arina Kholkina.
— The main conclusion is that S1P is involved in all stages of brain recovery. It helps stem cells divide and turn into neurons, directs them to the right place, supports the maturation of cells that create the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. Previously, such a multifaceted role for S1P was not shown," the expert said. "This is important for medicine because there are already medicines for this path.
The authors suggest taking a broader look at such drugs: if S1P triggers recovery, it can be used in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, after injuries and brain ischemia. The practical point is that medicine gets a new application point for drugs: you can stimulate your own brain stem cells and help it recover. However, this is not a ready-made remedy, but rather a map of routes along which new and promising treatment methods will be sought.
It is important to understand that this is primarily a new concept, not a clinical trial of a new drug, said Albert Rizvanov, head of the Center for Excellence "Personalized Medicine" at Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University.
— That is, scientists have not shown that the introduction of S1P already makes it possible to repair a damaged human brain. They summarized the accumulated data and showed that this signaling system can potentially affect several important components of nerve tissue repair at once," the specialist explained.
The authors themselves emphasize that many mechanisms still require experimental confirmation, the expert noted. From a medical point of view, the work is interesting primarily as a possible new target for drug therapy.
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