AVE0991 Promotes Neuroprotection via Mas/ERK/mPTP Pathway in α-Synuclein A53T Transgenic Mice

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative movement diseases featured by selective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons within the striatum and substantia nigra (SN). Accumulating evidence have indicated that angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) prevents neuronal damage by binding to its specific receptor Mas in PD. To date, the underlying mechanisms is not known thus far. In the present study, by using α-synuclein A53T transgenic mice (A53T mice), we showed that the neuronal apoptosis in the SN of A53T mice may be attributed to a decrease in Ang-(1-7) levels. Additionally, we revealed that AVE0991, a recently found non-peptide analogue of Ang-(1−7), ameliorated neuronal apoptosis via Mas/ERK pathway in primary DA neurons. More importantly, we provided novel evidence that this beneficial impact was dependent on the suppression of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. In conclusion, these findings disclose the neuroprotective impact of Ang-(1−7) in the etiology of PD, and support the application of its nonpeptide analogue AVE0991 in the therapies of this neurodegenerative disease.