title: Rho kinase inhibition modulates microglia activation and improves survival in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: Disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of motoneurons (MN) and their axons, but is also influenced by neighboring cells such as astrocytes and microglial cells. The role of microglia in ALS is complex as it switches from an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective phenotype in early disease to a proinflammatory and neurotoxic phenotype in later stages. Our previous studies in models of neurodegeneration identified rho kinase (ROCK) as a target, which can be manipulated to beneficially influence disease progression. Here, we examined the neuroprotective potential of the ROCK inhibitor Fasudil to target the central pathogenic features of ALS. Application of Fasudil to kainic acid-lesioned primary MN in vitro resulted in a strong prosurvival effect. In vivo, SOD1(G93A) mice benefited from oral treatment with Fasudil showing prolonged survival and improved motor function. These findings were correlated to an improved survival of motor neurons and a pronounced alteration of astroglial and microglial cell infiltration of the spinal cord under Fasudil treatment. Modeling a proinflammatory microglial phenotype by stimulation with LPS in vitro, Fasudil decreased the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines TNFα, Il6, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5 while CXCL1 release was only transiently suppressed. In sciatic nerve motor axons, neuromuscular junction remodeling processes were increased. In conclusion, we provide preclinical and neurobiological evidence that inhibition of ROCK by the clinically approved small molecule inhibitor Fasudil may be a novel therapeutic approach in ALS combining both neuroprotection and immunomodulation for the cure of this devastating disease.
authors: Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Göttingen, Germany.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Tönges
authors: Rene
authors: R
authors: Günther
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Suhr
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Jansen
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Balck
authors: Kim-Ann
authors: KA
authors: Saal
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Barski
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Nientied
authors: Alexander A
authors: AA
authors: Götz
authors: Jan-Christoph
authors: JC
authors: Koch
authors: Bernhard K
authors: BK
authors: Mueller
authors: Jochen H
authors: JH
authors: Weishaupt
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: Sereda
authors: Uwe-Karsten
authors: UK
authors: Hanisch
authors: Mathias
authors: M
authors: Bähr
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Lingor
mesh_terms: D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; C049347:fasudil
keywords: Fasudil; SOD1; motoneuron; neuroprotection; transgenic