Data-driven drug repositioning using olfactory omics profiles:challenges and perspectives in neurodegeneration

Data-driven drug repositioning using olfactory omics profiles-challenges and perspectives in neurodegeneration:Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive degeneration and loss of neuronal function in the central nervous system.These diseases are often characterized as proteinopathies,which are disorders primarily driven by the aggregation or misfolding of specific amyloid proteins within cells,leading to their dysfunction and eventual death.Despite the gain-of-function hypothesis related to the aggregation of these proteins,recently,an alternative hypothesis regarding the loss-of-function of the soluble monomeric proteins during the process of aggregation into amyloids is gaining currency.This last event is called proteinopenia and refers to conditions characterized by a deficiency or decrease in the levels of specific soluble proteins in the body(Ezzat et al.,2023).It has been demonstrated that levels of soluble proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases are decreased.

Olfactory proteotyping: towards the enlightenment of the neurodegeneration

Although phylogenetically ancient,the olfactory system has received less attention than other sensorial systems.However,olfactory dysfunction is considered an early prodromal event in neurodegenerative diseases(NDs)(Doty,2012;Attems et al.,2014),which may vary from severe smell loss(e.g.,Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases)to relatively moderate loss(e.g.,progressive supranuclear palsy)(Doty,2017).Recently,a cluster of neuropathological and functional discoveries has evidenced the relevant role of the olfactory bulb(OB)during the neurodegenerative process(Attems et al.,2014;Rey et al.,2018).For instance,the double-transgenic APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)develops early proteomic disturbances accompanied by a specific modulation of the focal adhesion kinase(FAK)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)dynamics at the level of the OB,demonstrating that olfactory molecular alterations occur prior toβ-amyloid plaque appearance and memory impairments in APP/PS1 transgenic mice(Lachen-Montes et al.,2016).