Tecfidera and Nrf2

Licht-Mayer S, Wimmer I, Traffehn S, Metz I, Brück W, Bauer J, Bradl M, Lassmann H.Cell type-specific Nrf2 expression in multiple sclerosis lesions. Acta Neuropathol. 2015 Jun 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Oxidative injury appears to play a major role in the propagation of demyelination and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been suggested that endogenous anti-oxidant defense mechanisms within MS lesions are insufficient to prevent spreading of damage. Thus, current therapeutic approaches (e.g., fumarate treatment) target to up-regulate the expression of a key regulator of anti-oxidative defense, the transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). In this study, we show that Nrf2 is already strongly up-regulated in active MS lesions. NuclearNrf2 expression was particularly observed in oligodendrocytes and its functional activity is indicated by the expression of one of its downstream targets (haem oxygenase 1) in the same cells. In contrast, only a minor number of Nrf2-positive neurons were detected, even in highly inflammatory cortical lesions presenting with extensive oxidative injury. Overall, the most pronounced Nrf2 expression was found in degenerating cells, which showed signs of apoptotic or necrotic cell death. Via whole-genome microarray analyses of MS lesions, we observed a differential expression of numerous Nrf2-responsive genes, also involved in the defense against oxidative stress, predominantly in areas of initial myelin destruction within actively demyelinating white matter lesions. Furthermore, the expression patterns of Nrf2-induced genes differed between the white matter and cortical gray matter. Our study shows that in the MS brain, Nrf2 expression varies in different cell types and is associated with active demyelination in the lesions.

In this study they show that Nrf2 is expressed in oligos and dying nerves. Will upregulating this with DMF do anything extra?

Wang Q, Chuikov S, Taitano S, Wu Q, Rastogi A, Tuck SJ, Corey JM, Lundy SK, Mao-Draayer Y.Dimethyl Fumarate Protects Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells and Neurons from Oxidative Damage. Int J Mol Sci. 2015: 16(6):13885-13907.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common multifocal inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Due to the progressive neurodegenerative nature of MS, developing treatments that exhibit direct neuroprotective effects are needed. Tecfidera™ (BG-12) is an oral formulation of the fumaric acid esters (FAE), containing the active metabolite dimethyl fumarate (DMF). Although BG-12 showed remarkable efficacy in lowering relapse rates in clinical trials, its mechanism of action in MS is not yet well understood. In this study, we reported the potential neuroprotective effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on mouse and rat neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons. We found that DMF increased the frequency of the multipotent neurospheres and the survival of NPCs following oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide treatment. In addition, we showed that DMF reduced 
reactive oxygen species production induced by hydrogen peroxide. DMF also decreased oxidative  stress-induced apoptosis. Using motor neuron survival assay, DMF significantly promoted survival of motor neurons under oxidative stress. (Abstract truncated as I can do have the time to to explain the rest).

Tecfidera is a long-lasting dimethyl fumarate, which people have suggested works via Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, also known as NFE2L2 or Nrf2. Nrf2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that regulates the expression of anti-oxidantproteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation.

Under normal or unstressed conditions, Nrf2 is kept in the cytoplasm by a cluster of proteins that degrade it quickly. Under oxidative stress, Nrf2 is not degraded, but instead travels to the nucleus where it binds to a DNA promoter and initiates transcription of anti-oxidative genes and their proteins.

Nrf2 is kept in the cytoplasm by Kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and Cullin 3 which degrade Nrf2 byubiquitination.[5] Cullin 3 ubiquitinates its substrate, Nrf2. Keap1 is a substrate adaptor, which helps Cullin 3 ubiquitinate Nrf2. When Nrf2 is ubiquitinated, it is transported to the proteasome, where it is degraded and its components recycled. Under normal conditions Nrf2 has a half-life of only 20 minutes.Oxidative stress or electrophilic stress disrupts critical cysteine residues in Keap1, disrupting the Keap1-Cul3 ubiquitination system. When Nrf2 is not ubiquitinated, it builds up in the cytoplasm and moves into the nucleus. In the nucleus, it combines (forms a heterodimer) with a small Maf protein and binds to the anti-oxidant response element (ARE) in the upstream promoter region of many anti-oxidative genes, and initiates their transcription.

Tecfidera (and its metabolite, monomethyl fumarate) activates the Nrf2 pathway and in this study it is suggested that DMF promotes the survival of nerves. 

This is great. But the doses used in rodents are mental (hundreds of times higher) compared to the doses of tecfidera used in humans. Now is this mega dose because DMF has terrible pharmacokinetics compared to tecfidera used in humans? or is this just a mega dose, made to do something? 

Now much of this megadose does not get into the brain according to Biogen Data presented at ECTRIMS, so does this neuroprotection really happen? 

In the trials effects of tecfidera on Brain Atrophy appeared to inconsistent.


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