Rahul Kumar

Dr. Rahul Kumar

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 March 2023 in Journal of Neurochemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
DJDhanshree Jha
Dhanshree Jha
EBErik N. T. P. Bakker
Erik N. T. P. Bakker
RKRahul Kumar
Rahul Kumar
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has emerged as the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Several pathological hallmarks have been identified, including neuroinflammation. A comprehensive insight into the underlying mechanisms that can fuel the development of novel therapeutic approaches is necessary because of the alarmingly rapid increase in the frequency of incidence. Recently, NLRP3 inflammasome was identified as a critical mediator of neuroinflammation. Activation of nucleotide‐binding domain (NOD)‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome by amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, impaired autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress, triggers the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β and IL‐18. Subsequently, these cytokines can promote neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. It is well established that genetic or pharmacological ablation of NLRP3 alleviates AD‐related pathological features in in vitro and in vivo models. Therefore, several synthetic and natural compounds have been identified that exhibit the potential to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviate AD‐associated pathology. The current review article will highlight the various mechanisms by which activation of NLRP3 inflammation occurs during Alzheimer's disease, and how it influences neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Moreover, we will summarise the different small molecules that possess the potential to inhibit NLRP3 and can pave the path for developing novel therapeutic interventions for AD. image

25 January 2022 in European Journal of Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
ABArpita Bera
Arpita Bera
GLGantyada Lavanya
Gantyada Lavanya
RRRavada Reshmi
Ravada Reshmi
KDKapil Dev
Kapil Dev
RKRahul Kumar
Rahul Kumar

1 January 2023 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
VSVijay K. Sonkar
Vijay K. Sonkar
AEAlicia Eustes
Alicia Eustes
Azaj AhmedAzaj Ahmed
Azaj Ahmed
MJMelissa Jensen
Melissa Jensen
MSMitali V. Solanki
Mitali V. Solanki
SDsanjana dayal
sanjana dayal
Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to platelet hyperactivation during aging. Several oxidative pathways and antioxidant enzymes have been implicated; however, their mechanistic contributions during aging remain elusive. We hypothesized that mitochondria are an important source of platelet ROS and that mitochondrial SOD2 (superoxide dismutase) protects against mitochondrial ROS-driven platelet activation and thrombosis during aging. Methods: We studied littermates of platelet-specific SOD2-knockout (SOD2 fl/fl Pf4Cre, pSOD2-KO) and control (SOD2 fl/fl ) mice at young (4–5 months) or old (18–20 months) ages. We examined agonist-induced platelet activation, platelet-dependent thrombin generation potential, and susceptibility to in vivo thrombosis. Results: Platelet α II b β3 activation, aggregation, and adhesion were increased to similar extents in aged mice of both genotypes compared with young mice. In contrast, the age-dependent increases in mitochondrial and total cellular ROS, calcium elevation, and phosphatidylserine exposure were augmented in platelets from pSOD2-KO mice compared with control mice. Aged pSOD2-KO mice showed increased platelet-dependent thrombin generation compared with aged control mice. In vivo, aged pSOD2-KO mice exhibited enhanced susceptibility to carotid artery and pulmonary thrombosis compared to aged control mice. Adoptive transfer of platelets from aged pSOD2-KO but not aged control mice increased thrombotic susceptibility in aged host mice, suggesting a prothrombotic effect of platelet pSOD2 deficiency. Treatment with avasopasem manganese (GC4419), a SOD mimetic, decreased platelet mitochondrial pro-oxidants, cellular ROS levels, and inhibited procoagulant platelet formation and arterial thrombosis in aged mice. Conclusions: Platelet mitochondrial ROS contributes to age-related thrombosis and endogenous SOD2 protects from platelet-dependent thrombin generation and thrombosis during aging.

26 November 2023 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RKRahul Kumar
Rahul Kumar
GPGokul Patil
Gokul Patil
SDsanjana dayal
sanjana dayal
Ischemic thrombotic disease, characterized by the formation of obstructive blood clots within arteries or veins, is a condition associated with life-threatening events, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. The conventional therapeutic strategy relies on treatments with anticoagulants that unfortunately pose an inherent risk of bleeding complications. These anticoagulants primarily target clotting factors, often overlooking upstream events, including the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Neutrophils are integral components of the innate immune system, traditionally known for their role in combating pathogens through NET formation. Emerging evidence has now revealed that NETs contribute to a prothrombotic milieu by promoting platelet activation, increasing thrombin generation, and providing a scaffold for clot formation. Additionally, NET components enhance clot stability and resistance to fibrinolysis. Clinical and preclinical studies have underscored the mechanistic involvement of NETs in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications, since the clots obtained from patients and experimental models consistently exhibit the presence of NETs. Given these insights, the inhibition of NETs or NET formation is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic thrombotic diseases. Recent investigations also implicate a role for the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome as a mediator of NETosis and thrombosis, suggesting that NLRP3 inhibition may also hold potential for mitigating thrombotic events. Therefore, future preclinical and clinical studies aimed at identifying and validating NLRP3 inhibition as a novel therapeutic intervention for thrombotic disorders are imperative.

4 October 2016 in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
NRNitish Rai
Nitish Rai
RKRahul Kumar
Rahul Kumar
GDGaurav Rajesh Desai
Gaurav Rajesh Desai
GVG. Venugopalan
G. Venugopalan
SSShashank Shekhar
Shashank Shekhar
SDSharmistha Dey
Sharmistha Dey
Sestrins (sesn) are highly conserved proteins that play an important neuroprotective role, in part as a consequence of their antioxidative capacity, which prevents reactive oxygen species formation. In this study, we evaluated the concentrations of s

18 January 2022 in Journal of the American Heart Association
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RKRahul Kumar
Rahul Kumar
VSVijay K. Sonkar
Vijay K. Sonkar
JSJagadish Swamy
Jagadish Swamy
Azaj AhmedAzaj Ahmed
Azaj Ahmed
ASAnjali A. Sharathkumar
Anjali A. Sharathkumar
SDsanjana dayal
sanjana dayal
Background: Human aging is associated with increased risk of thrombosis, but the mechanisms are poorly defined. We hypothesized that aging induces peroxide‐dependent release of neutrophil extracellular traps that contribute to thrombin generation and thrombosis. Methods and Results: We studied C57BL6J mice and littermates of glutathione peroxidase‐1 transgenic and wild‐type mice at young (4 month) and old (20 month) ages and a healthy cohort of young (18–39 years) or middle‐aged/older (50–72 years) humans. In plasma, we measured thrombin generation potential and components of neutrophil extracellular traps (cell‐free DNA and citrullinated histone). Aged wild‐type mice displayed a significant increase in thrombin generation that was decreased in aged glutathione peroxidase‐1 transgenic mice. Both aged wild‐type and aged glutathione peroxidase‐1 transgenic mice demonstrated similar elevation of plasma cell‐free DNA compared with young mice. In contrast, plasma levels of citrullinated histone were not altered with age or genotype. Release of neutrophil extracellular traps from neutrophils in vitro was also similar between young and aged wild‐type or glutathione peroxidase‐1 transgenic mice. Treatment of plasma or mice with DNase 1 decreased age‐associated increases in thrombin generation, and DNase 1 treatment blocked the development of experimental venous thrombi in aged C57BL6J mice. Similarly, thrombin generation potential and plasma cell‐free DNA, but not citrullinated histone, were higher in middle‐aged/older humans, and treatment of plasma with DNase 1 reversed the increase in thrombin generation. Conclusions: We conclude that DNase 1 limits thrombin generation and protects from venous thrombosis during aging, likely by hydrolyzing cell‐free DNA.