51
|
Marchetti B, Tirolo C, L'Episcopo F, Caniglia S, Testa N, Smith JA, Pluchino S, Serapide MF. Parkinson's disease, aging and adult neurogenesis: Wnt/β-catenin signalling as the key to unlock the mystery of endogenous brain repair. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13101. [PMID: 32050297 PMCID: PMC7059166 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A common hallmark of age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases is an impairment of adult neurogenesis. Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin (WβC) signalling is a vital pathway for dopaminergic (DAergic) neurogenesis and an essential signalling system during embryonic development and aging, the most critical risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, there is no known cause or cure for PD. Here we focus on the potential to reawaken the impaired neurogenic niches to rejuvenate and repair the aged PD brain. Specifically, we highlight WβC-signalling in the plasticity of the subventricular zone (SVZ), the largest germinal region in the mature brain innervated by nigrostriatal DAergic terminals, and the mesencephalic aqueduct-periventricular region (Aq-PVR) Wnt-sensitive niche, which is in proximity to the SNpc and harbors neural stem progenitor cells (NSCs) with DAergic potential. The hallmark of the WβC pathway is the cytosolic accumulation of β-catenin, which enters the nucleus and associates with T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factors, leading to the transcription of Wnt target genes. Here, we underscore the dynamic interplay between DAergic innervation and astroglial-derived factors regulating WβC-dependent transcription of key genes orchestrating NSC proliferation, survival, migration and differentiation. Aging, inflammation and oxidative stress synergize with neurotoxin exposure in "turning off" the WβC neurogenic switch via down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/Wnt-regulated signalosome, a key player in the maintenance of antioxidant self-defense mechanisms and NSC homeostasis. Harnessing WβC-signalling in the aged PD brain can thus restore neurogenesis, rejuvenate the microenvironment, and promote neurorescue and regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Marchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC)Pharmacology and Physiology SectionsMedical SchoolUniversity of CataniaCataniaItaly
- Neuropharmacology SectionOASI Research Institute‐IRCCSTroinaItaly
| | - Cataldo Tirolo
- Neuropharmacology SectionOASI Research Institute‐IRCCSTroinaItaly
| | | | | | - Nunzio Testa
- Neuropharmacology SectionOASI Research Institute‐IRCCSTroinaItaly
| | - Jayden A. Smith
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and NIHR Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Stefano Pluchino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and NIHR Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Maria F. Serapide
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC)Pharmacology and Physiology SectionsMedical SchoolUniversity of CataniaCataniaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Fernández-Nogales M, Lucas JJ. Altered Levels and Isoforms of Tau and Nuclear Membrane Invaginations in Huntington's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 13:574. [PMID: 32009905 PMCID: PMC6978886 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the early reports of neurofibrillary Tau pathology in brains of some Huntington’s disease (HD) patients, mounting evidence of multiple alterations of Tau in HD brain tissue has emerged in recent years. Such Tau alterations range from increased total levels, imbalance of isoforms generated by alternative splicing (increased 4R-/3R-Tau ratio) or by post-translational modifications such as hyperphosphorylation or truncation. Besides, the detection in HD brains of a new Tau histopathological hallmark known as Tau nuclear rods (TNRs) or Tau-positive nuclear indentations (TNIs) led to propose HD as a secondary Tauopathy. After their discovery in HD brains, TNIs have also been reported in hippocampal neurons of early Braak stage AD cases and in frontal and temporal cortical neurons of FTD-MAPT cases due to the intronic IVS10+16 mutation in the Tau gene (MAPT) which results in an increased 4R-/3R-Tau ratio similar to that observed in HD. TNIs are likely pathogenic for contributing to the disturbed nucleocytoplasmic transport observed in HD. A key question is whether correction of any of the mentioned Tau alterations might have positive therapeutic implications for HD. The beneficial effect of decreasing Tau expression in HD mouse models clearly implicates Tau in HD pathogenesis. Such beneficial effect might be exerted by diminishing the excess total levels of Tau or specifically by diminishing the excess 4R-Tau, as well as any of their downstream effects. In any case, since gene silencing drugs are under development to attenuate both Huntingtin (HTT) expression for HD and MAPT expression for FTD-MAPT, it is conceivable that the combined therapy in HD patients might be more effective than HTT silencing alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - José J Lucas
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO)(CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Governs a Full Program for Dopaminergic Neuron Survival, Neurorescue and Regeneration in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123743. [PMID: 30477246 PMCID: PMC6321180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) integration site (Wnt) signaling is one of the most critical pathways in developing and adult tissues. In the brain, Wnt signaling contributes to different neurodevelopmental aspects ranging from differentiation to axonal extension, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection. Canonical Wnt signaling is mediated mainly by the multifunctional β-catenin protein which is a potent co-activator of transcription factors such as lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) and T-cell factor (TCF). Accumulating evidence points to dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in major neurodegenerative disorders. This review highlights a Wnt/β-catenin/glial connection in Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common movement disorder characterized by the selective death of midbrain dopaminergic (mDAergic) neuronal cell bodies in the subtantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and gliosis. Major findings of the last decade document that Wnt/β-catenin signaling in partnership with glial cells is critically involved in each step and at every level in the regulation of nigrostriatal DAergic neuronal health, protection, and regeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD, focusing on Wnt/β-catenin signaling to boost a full neurorestorative program in PD.
Collapse
|
54
|
Early postnatal behavioral, cellular, and molecular changes in models of Huntington disease are reversible by HDAC inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E8765-E8774. [PMID: 30150378 PMCID: PMC6140493 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807962115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In Huntington disease (HD) gene carriers the disease-causing mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) is already present during early developmental stages, but, surprisingly, HD patients develop clinical symptoms only many years later. While a developmental role of Huntingtin has been described, so far new therapeutic approaches targeting those early neurodevelopmental processes are lacking. Here, we show that behavioral, cellular, and molecular changes associated with mHTT in the postnatal period of genetic animal models of HD can be reverted using low-dose treatment with a histone deacetylation inhibitor. Our findings support a neurodevelopmental basis for HD and provide proof of concept that pre-HD symptoms, including aberrant neuronal differentiation, are reversible by early therapeutic intervention in vivo. Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expanded CAG repeats in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Although mutant HTT is expressed during embryonic development and throughout life, clinical HD usually manifests later in adulthood. A number of studies document neurodevelopmental changes associated with mutant HTT, but whether these are reversible under therapy remains unclear. Here, we identify very early behavioral, molecular, and cellular changes in preweaning transgenic HD rats and mice. Reduced ultrasonic vocalization, loss of prepulse inhibition, and increased risk taking are accompanied by disturbances of dopaminergic regulation in vivo, reduced neuronal differentiation capacity in subventricular zone stem/progenitor cells, and impaired neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation of mouse embryo-derived neural stem cells in vitro. Interventional treatment of this early phenotype with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) LBH589 led to significant improvement in behavioral changes and markers of dopaminergic neurotransmission and complete reversal of aberrant neuronal differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Our data support the notion that neurodevelopmental changes contribute to the prodromal phase of HD and that early, presymptomatic intervention using HDACi may represent a promising novel treatment approach for HD.
Collapse
|
55
|
Yan D, Yao J, Liu Y, Zhang X, Wang Y, Chen X, Liu L, Shi N, Yan H. Tau hyperphosphorylation and P-CREB reduction are involved in acrylamide-induced spatial memory impairment: Suppression by curcumin. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 71:66-80. [PMID: 29704550 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acrylamide (ACR) is an axonal toxicant that produces peripheral neuropathy in laboratory animals and humans. Epidemiological study found that diet ACR exposure was associated with a mild cognitive decline in men. However, limited information is available as regards its potential and underlying mechanism to cause memory alterations. Curcumin is a polyphenol with neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of ACR-induced spatial memory impairment and the beneficial effect of curcumin. ACR exposure at 10 mg/kg/d for 7 weeks caused slight gait abnormality and spatial memory deficits, which was associated with an activation of glial cells, a reduction of phosphorylated cAMP response elements binding protein (P-CREB) and an aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau including p-tau (Ser262), AT8 (p-tau Ser202/Thr205) and PHF1 (p-tau Ser396/404) in the hippocampus and cortex. ACR markedly regulate the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (cdk5) to accelerate tau hyperphosphorylation. ACR inhibited the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and lysosomal protease cathepsin D to decrease the p-tau dephosphorylation and degradation. The P-CREB and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly decreased by ACR. The upstream signalings of P-CREB, extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and Akt were markedly inhibited. The protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) -eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α) - activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) signaling which negatively regulate memory processes by suppressing CREB was activated by ACR. Curcumin alleviated ACR-induced spatial memory impairment through reversing tau abnormalities and P-CREB reduction in the hippocampus. These results offered deeper insight into the mechanisms of and presented a potential new treatment for ACR-induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Yan
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Jianling Yao
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Yiqi Wang
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511436, PR China
| | - Liegang Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Nian Shi
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Hong Yan
- Department of Health Toxicology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong-Road, Wuhan 430030, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Xu C, Li Q, Efimova O, He L, Tatsumoto S, Stepanova V, Oishi T, Udono T, Yamaguchi K, Shigenobu S, Kakita A, Nawa H, Khaitovich P, Go Y. Human-specific features of spatial gene expression and regulation in eight brain regions. Genome Res 2018; 28:1097-1110. [PMID: 29898898 PMCID: PMC6071643 DOI: 10.1101/gr.231357.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Molecular maps of the human brain alone do not inform us of the features unique to humans. Yet, the identification of these features is important for understanding both the evolution and nature of human cognition. Here, we approached this question by analyzing gene expression and H3K27ac chromatin modification data collected in eight brain regions of humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, a gibbon, and macaques. An analysis of spatial transcriptome trajectories across eight brain regions in four primate species revealed 1851 genes showing human-specific transcriptome differences in one or multiple brain regions, in contrast to 240 chimpanzee-specific differences. More than half of these human-specific differences represented elevated expression of genes enriched in neuronal and astrocytic markers in the human hippocampus, whereas the rest were enriched in microglial markers and displayed human-specific expression in several frontal cortical regions and the cerebellum. An analysis of the predicted regulatory interactions driving these differences revealed the role of transcription factors in species-specific transcriptome changes, and epigenetic modifications were linked to spatial expression differences conserved across species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qian Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Olga Efimova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia
| | - Liu He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shoji Tatsumoto
- Cognitive Genomics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan
| | - Vita Stepanova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia
| | - Takao Oishi
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 4848506, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Udono
- Kumamoto Sanctuary, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Uki, Kumamoto 8693201, Japan
| | - Katsushi Yamaguchi
- NIBB Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- NIBB Core Research Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan.,School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 9518585, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nawa
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 9518585, Japan
| | - Philipp Khaitovich
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Comparative Biology Laboratory, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yasuhiro Go
- Cognitive Genomics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan.,School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 4448585, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Saavedra A, García-Díaz Barriga G, Pérez-Navarro E, Alberch J. Huntington's disease: novel therapeutic perspectives hanging in the balance. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 22:385-399. [PMID: 29671352 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2018.1465930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin gene, has long been characterized by the presence of motor symptoms due to the loss of striatal projection neurons. Cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms are also present and they occur in the absence of cell death in most mouse models, pointing to neuronal dysfunction and abnormal synaptic plasticity as causative mechanisms. Areas covered: Here, we focus on those common mechanisms altered by the presence of mutant huntingtin affecting corticostriatal and hippocampal function as therapeutic targets that could prove beneficial to ameliorate both cognitive and motor function in HD. Specifically, we discuss the importance of reestablishing the balance in (1) synaptic/extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor signaling, (2) mitochondrial dynamics/trafficking, (3) TrkB/p75NTR signaling, and (4) transcriptional activity. Expert opinion: Mutant huntingtin has a broad impact on multiple cellular processes, which makes it very challenging to design a curative therapeutic strategy. As we point out here, novel therapeutic interventions should look for multi-purpose drugs targeting common and early affected processes leading to corticostriatal and hippocampal dysfunction that additionally operate in a feedforward vicious cycle downstream the activation of extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Saavedra
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| | - Gerardo García-Díaz Barriga
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
L'Episcopo F, Tirolo C, Peruzzotti-Jametti L, Serapide MF, Testa N, Caniglia S, Balzarotti B, Pluchino S, Marchetti B. Neural Stem Cell Grafts Promote Astroglia-Driven Neurorestoration in the Aged Parkinsonian Brain via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. Stem Cells 2018; 36:1179-1197. [PMID: 29575325 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
neuronal phenotype. Wnt/β-catenin signaling antagonism abolished mDA neurorestoration and immune modulatory effects of NSC grafts. Our work implicates an unprecedented therapeutic potential for somatic NSC grafts in the restoration of mDA neuronal function in the aged Parkinsonian brain. Stem Cells 2018;36:1179-1197.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Peruzzotti-Jametti
- Dept of Clinical Neurosciences, Clifford Allbutt Building - Cambridge Biosciences Campus and NIHR Biomedical Research,Centre, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, CB2 0HA Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria F Serapide
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), Pharmacology and Physiology Sections, University of Catania Medical School, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Beatrice Balzarotti
- Dept of Clinical Neurosciences, Clifford Allbutt Building - Cambridge Biosciences Campus and NIHR Biomedical Research,Centre, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, CB2 0HA Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefano Pluchino
- Dept of Clinical Neurosciences, Clifford Allbutt Building - Cambridge Biosciences Campus and NIHR Biomedical Research,Centre, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, CB2 0HA Cambridge, UK
| | - Bianca Marchetti
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), Pharmacology and Physiology Sections, University of Catania Medical School, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
L'Episcopo F, Tirolo C, Serapide MF, Caniglia S, Testa N, Leggio L, Vivarelli S, Iraci N, Pluchino S, Marchetti B. Microglia Polarization, Gene-Environment Interactions and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling: Emerging Roles of Glia-Neuron and Glia-Stem/Neuroprogenitor Crosstalk for Dopaminergic Neurorestoration in Aged Parkinsonian Brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:12. [PMID: 29483868 PMCID: PMC5816064 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammatory processes are recognized key contributory factors in Parkinson's disease (PD) physiopathology. While the causes responsible for the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neuronal cell bodies in the subtantia nigra pars compacta are poorly understood, aging, genetics, environmental toxicity, and particularly inflammation, represent prominent etiological factors in PD development. Especially, reactive astrocytes, microglial cells, and infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages play dual beneficial/harmful effects, via a panel of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, neurotrophic and neurogenic transcription factors. Notably, with age, microglia may adopt a potent neurotoxic, pro-inflammatory “primed” (M1) phenotype when challenged with inflammatory or neurotoxic stimuli that hamper brain's own restorative potential and inhibit endogenous neurorepair mechanisms. In the last decade we have provided evidence for a major role of microglial crosstalk with astrocytes, mDA neurons and neural stem progenitor cells (NSCs) in the MPTP- (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-) mouse model of PD, and identified Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a pivotal morphogen for mDA neurodevelopment, neuroprotection, and neuroinflammatory modulation, as a critical actor in glia-neuron and glia-NSCs crosstalk. With age however, Wnt signaling and glia-NSC-neuron crosstalk become dysfunctional with harmful consequences for mDA neuron plasticity and repair. These findings are of importance given the deregulation of Wnt signaling in PD and the emerging link between most PD related genes, Wnt signaling and inflammation. Especially, in light of the expanding field of microRNAs and inflammatory PD-related genes as modulators of microglial-proinflammatory status, uncovering the complex molecular circuitry linking PD and neuroinflammation will permit the identification of new druggable targets for the cure of the disease. Here we summarize recent findings unveiling major microglial inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways converging in the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and reciprocally, the ability of Wnt signaling pathways to modulate microglial activation in PD. Unraveling the key factors and conditons promoting the switch of the proinflammatory M1 microglia status into a neuroprotective and regenerative M2 phenotype will have important consequences for neuroimmune interactions and neuronal outcome under inflammatory and/or neurodegenerative conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria F Serapide
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Medical School, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Loredana Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Medical School, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Medical School, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Medical School, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Pluchino
- Division of Stem Cell Neurobiology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Marchetti
- Oasi ResearchInstitute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Medical School, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
St-Amour I, Turgeon A, Goupil C, Planel E, Hébert SS. Co-occurrence of mixed proteinopathies in late-stage Huntington's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2018; 135:249-265. [PMID: 29134321 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1786-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence highlights the potential role of mixed proteinopathies (i.e., abnormal protein aggregation) in the development of clinical manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited NDD caused by autosomal-dominant expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat mutation in the gene coding for Huntingtin (Htt). Previous studies have suggested the coexistence of phosphorylated-Tau, α-synuclein (α-Syn) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) inclusions in HD. However, definite evidence that HD pathology in humans can be accompanied by other proteinopathies is still lacking. Using human post-mortem putamen samples from 31 controls and 56 HD individuals, we performed biochemical analyses of the expression, oligomerization and aggregation of Tau, α-Syn, TDP-43, and Amyloid precursor protein (APP)/Aβ. In HD brain, we observed reduced soluble protein (but not mRNA) levels of Htt, α-Syn, and Tau. Our results also support abnormal phosphorylation of Tau in more advanced stages of disease. Aberrant splicing of Tau exons 2, 3 (exclusion) and 10 (inclusion) was also detected in HD patients, leading to higher 0N4R and lower 1N3R isoforms. Finally, following formic acid extraction, we observed increased aggregation of TDP-43, α-Syn, and phosphorylated-Tau during HD progression. Notably, we observed that 88% of HD patients with Vonsattel grade 4 neuropathology displayed at least one non-Htt proteinopathy compared to 29% in controls. Interestingly, α-Syn aggregation correlated with Htt, TDP-43 and phosphorylated-Tau in HD but not in controls. The impact of this work is twofold: (1) it provides compelling evidences that Tau, α-Syn and TDP-43 proteinopathies are increased in HD, and (2) it suggests the involvement of common mechanisms leading to abnormal accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins in NDD. Further studies will be needed to decipher the impact of these proteinopathies on clinical manifestation of HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle St-Amour
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, P0-9800, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Andréanne Turgeon
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, P0-9800, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Claudia Goupil
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, P0-9800, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Planel
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, P0-9800, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sébastien S Hébert
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, P0-9800, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
61
|
Gorshkov K, Aguisanda F, Thorne N, Zheng W. Astrocytes as targets for drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:673-680. [PMID: 29317338 PMCID: PMC5937927 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have illuminated the crucial role of astrocytes in maintaining proper neuronal health and function. Abnormalities in astrocytic functions have now been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Historically, drug development programs for neurodegenerative diseases generally target only neurons, overlooking the contributions of astrocytes. Therefore, targeting both disease neurons and astrocytes offers a new approach for drug development for the treatment of neurological diseases. Looking forward, the co-culturing of human neurons with astrocytes could be the next evolutionary step in drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirill Gorshkov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Francis Aguisanda
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Natasha Thorne
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Guo T, Noble W, Hanger DP. Roles of tau protein in health and disease. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:665-704. [PMID: 28386764 PMCID: PMC5390006 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 565] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tau is well established as a microtubule-associated protein in neurons. However, under pathological conditions, aberrant assembly of tau into insoluble aggregates is accompanied by synaptic dysfunction and neural cell death in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as tauopathies. Recent advances in our understanding of the multiple functions and different locations of tau inside and outside neurons have revealed novel insights into its importance in a diverse range of molecular pathways including cell signalling, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of genomic stability. The present review describes the physiological and pathophysiological properties of tau and how these relate to its distribution and functions in neurons. We highlight the post-translational modifications of tau, which are pivotal in defining and modulating tau localisation and its roles in health and disease. We include discussion of other pathologically relevant changes in tau, including mutation and aggregation, and how these aspects impinge on the propensity of tau to propagate, and potentially drive neuronal loss, in diseased brain. Finally, we describe the cascade of pathological events that may be driven by tau dysfunction, including impaired axonal transport, alterations in synapse and mitochondrial function, activation of the unfolded protein response and defective protein degradation. It is important to fully understand the range of neuronal functions attributed to tau, since this will provide vital information on its involvement in the development and pathogenesis of disease. Such knowledge will enable determination of which critical molecular pathways should be targeted by potential therapeutic agents developed for the treatment of tauopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Guo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Wendy Noble
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Diane P Hanger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK.
| |
Collapse
|