A small molecule Nec-1 directly induces amyloid clearance in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 12;9(1):4183. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40205-5.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the formation of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers and plaques. Considering that Aβ misfolding and aggregation precedes the progressive development of cognitive impairment in AD, investigating a therapeutic means by clearance of pre-existing Aβ aggregates shows promise as a viable disease-modifying treatment. Here, we report that a small molecule, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), reduces Aβ aggregates back to non-toxic monomers in vitro and in vivo. Intravenous administration of Nec-1 reduced the levels of Aβ plaques in the brains of aged APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. In addition, Nec-1 exhibited therapeutic effects against Aβ aggregates by inhibiting Aβ-induced brain cell death in neuronal and microglial cell lines. Nec-1 also showed anti-apoptotic and anti-necroptotic effects in the cortex of aged APP/PS1 mice by reducing levels of phosphorylated-RIPK3 and Bax and increasing the levels of Bcl-2. According to our data in vitro and in silico, the methyl group of the amine in the 2-thioxo-4-imidazolidinone is the key moiety of Nec-1 that directs its activity against aggregated Aβ. Given that the accumulation of Aβ aggregates is an important hallmark of AD, our studies provide strong evidence that Nec-1 may serve a key role in the development of AD treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Amyloid / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology
  • Presenilin-1 / metabolism*
  • Protein Aggregates / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Imidazoles
  • Indoles
  • Presenilin-1
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • necrostatin-1