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Genetic deletion of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors induces an age-dependent Alzheimer's disease-like pathology. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 206:102154. [PMID: 34453977 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and the failure of cholinergic transmission are key players in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, in the healthy brain, Aβ contributes to synaptic plasticity and memory acting through α7 subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs). Here, we hypothesized that the α7nAChR deletion blocks Aβ physiological function and promotes a compensatory increase in Aβ levels that, in turn, triggers an AD-like pathology. To validate this hypothesis, we studied the age-dependent phenotype of α7 knock out mice. We found that α7nAChR deletion caused an impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory at 12 months of age, paralleled by an increase of Amyloid Precursor Protein expression and Aβ levels. This was accompanied by other classical AD features such as a hyperphosphorylation of tau at residues Ser 199, Ser 396, Thr 205, a decrease of GSK-3β at Ser 9, the presence of paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and an increase of GFAP-positive astrocytes. Our findings suggest that α7nAChR malfunction might precede Aβ and tau pathology, offering a different perspective to interpret the failure of anti-Aβ therapies against AD and to find novel therapeutical approaches aimed at restoring α7nAChRs-mediated Aβ function at the synapse.
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52
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Wang K, Na L, Duan M. The Pathogenesis Mechanism, Structure Properties, Potential Drugs and Therapeutic Nanoparticles against the Small Oligomers of Amyloid-β. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 21:151-167. [PMID: 32938351 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200916123000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people in the world. The abnormal aggregation of amyloid β protein (Aβ) is regarded as the key event in AD onset. Meanwhile, the Aβ oligomers are believed to be the most toxic species of Aβ. Recent studies show that the Aβ dimers, which are the smallest form of Aβ oligomers, also have the neurotoxicity in the absence of other oligomers in physiological conditions. In this review, we focus on the pathogenesis, structure and potential therapeutic molecules against small Aβ oligomers, as well as the nanoparticles (NPs) in the treatment of AD. In this review, we firstly focus on the pathogenic mechanism of Aβ oligomers, especially the Aβ dimers. The toxicity of Aβ dimer or oligomers, which attributes to the interactions with various receptors and the disruption of membrane or intracellular environments, were introduced. Then the structure properties of Aβ dimers and oligomers are summarized. Although some structural information such as the secondary structure content is characterized by experimental technologies, detailed structures are still absent. Following that, the small molecules targeting Aβ dimers or oligomers are collected; nevertheless, all of these ligands have failed to come into the market due to the rising controversy of the Aβ-related "amyloid cascade hypothesis". At last, the recent progress about the nanoparticles as the potential drugs or the drug delivery for the Aβ oligomers are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liu Na
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Mojie Duan
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
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53
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Yamamoto K, Yamamoto R, Kato N. Amyloid β and Amyloid Precursor Protein Synergistically Suppress Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel in Cortical Neurons. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:660319. [PMID: 34149396 PMCID: PMC8211014 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.660319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular amyloid β (Aβ) injection suppresses the large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (BK) channel in cortical pyramidal cells from wild-type (WT) mice. In 3xTg Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice, intraneuronal Aβ is genetically programed to accumulate, which suppresses the BK channel. However, the mode of BK channel suppression remained unclarified. The present report revealed that only one (11A1) of the three anti-Aβ-oligomer antibodies that we examined, but not anti-monomer-Aβ-antibodies, was effective in recovering BK channel activity in 3xTg neurons. Antibodies against amyloid precursor protein (APP) were also found to be effective, suggesting that APP plays an essential part in this Aβ-oligomer-induced BK channel suppression in 3xTg neurons. In WT neurons, by contrast, APP suppressed BK channels by itself, which suggests that either APP or Aβ is sufficient to block BK channels, thus pointing to a different co-operativity of Aβ and APP in WT and 3xTg neurons. To clarify this difference, we relied on our previous finding that the scaffold protein Homer1a reverses the BK channel blockade in both WT and 3xTg neurons. In cortical neurons from 3xTg mice that bear Homer1a knockout (4xTg mice), neither anti-APP antibodies nor 11A1, but only the 6E10 antibody that binds both APP and Aβ, rescued the BK channel suppression. Given that Homer1a expression is activity dependent and 3xTg neurons are hyperexcitable, Homer1a is likely to be expressed sufficiently in 3xTg neurons, thereby alleviating the suppressive influence of APP and Aβ on BK channel. A unique way that APP modifies Aβ toxicity is thus proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yamamoto
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan.,Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Utano National Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamamoto
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Nobuo Kato
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
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54
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Zampar S, Wirths O. Characterization of a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Expressing Aβ4-42 and Human Mutant Tau. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105191. [PMID: 34069029 PMCID: PMC8156793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the two most prominent neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits and intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau in neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), remains at present not fully understood. A large body of evidence places Aβ upstream in the cascade of pathological events, triggering NFTs formation and the subsequent neuron loss. Extracellular Aβ deposits were indeed causative of an increased tau phosphorylation and accumulation in several transgenic models but the contribution of soluble Aβ peptides is still controversial. Among the different Aβ variants, the N-terminally truncated peptide Aβ4–42 is among the most abundant. To understand whether soluble Aβ4–42 peptides impact the onset or extent of tau pathology, we have crossed the homozygous Tg4–42 mouse model of AD, exclusively expressing Aβ4–42 peptides, with the PS19 (P301S) tau transgenic model. Behavioral assessment showed that the resulting double-transgenic line presented a partial worsening of motor performance and spatial memory deficits in the aged group. While an increased loss of distal CA1 pyramidal neurons was detected in young mice, no significant alterations in hippocampal tau phosphorylation were observed in immunohistochemical analyses.
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55
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Bok E, Leem E, Lee BR, Lee JM, Yoo CJ, Lee EM, Kim J. Role of the Lipid Membrane and Membrane Proteins in Tau Pathology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:653815. [PMID: 33996814 PMCID: PMC8119898 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.653815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal accumulation of misfolded tau aggregates is a pathological hallmark of various tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although tau is a cytosolic microtubule-associated protein enriched in neurons, it is also found in extracellular milieu, such as interstitial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood. Accumulating evidence showed that pathological tau spreads along anatomically connected areas in the brain through intercellular transmission and templated misfolding, thereby inducing neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. In line with this, the spatiotemporal spreading of tau pathology is closely correlated with cognitive decline in AD patients. Although the secretion and uptake of tau involve multiple different pathways depending on tau species and cell types, a growing body of evidence suggested that tau is largely secreted in a vesicle-free forms. In this regard, the interaction of vesicle-free tau with membrane is gaining growing attention due to its importance for both of tau secretion and uptake as well as aggregation. Here, we review the recent literature on the mechanisms of the tau-membrane interaction and highlights the roles of lipids and proteins at the membrane in the tau-membrane interaction as well as tau aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Bok
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Eunju Leem
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Lee
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Ji Min Lee
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea.,School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Chang Jae Yoo
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Eun Mi Lee
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jaekwang Kim
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea
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56
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Neuronal Network Excitability in Alzheimer's Disease: The Puzzle of Similar versus Divergent Roles of Amyloid β and Tau. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0418-20.2020. [PMID: 33741601 PMCID: PMC8174042 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0418-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disorder that commonly causes dementia in the elderly. Recent evidence indicates that network abnormalities, including hypersynchrony, altered oscillatory rhythmic activity, interneuron dysfunction, and synaptic depression, may be key mediators of cognitive decline in AD. In this review, we discuss characteristics of neuronal network excitability in AD, and the role of Aβ and tau in the induction of network hyperexcitability. Many patients harboring genetic mutations that lead to increased Aβ production suffer from seizures and epilepsy before the development of plaques. Similarly, pathologic accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau has been associated with hyperexcitability in the hippocampus. We present common and divergent roles of tau and Aβ on neuronal hyperexcitability in AD, and hypotheses that could serve as a template for future experiments.
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57
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Mueller RL, Combs B, Alhadidy MM, Brady ST, Morfini GA, Kanaan NM. Tau: A Signaling Hub Protein. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:647054. [PMID: 33815057 PMCID: PMC8017207 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.647054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over four decades ago, in vitro experiments showed that tau protein interacts with and stabilizes microtubules in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. This observation fueled the widespread hypotheses that these properties extend to living neurons and that reduced stability of microtubules represents a major disease-driving event induced by pathological forms of tau in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Accordingly, most research efforts to date have addressed this protein as a substrate, focusing on evaluating how specific mutations, phosphorylation, and other post-translational modifications impact its microtubule-binding and stabilizing properties. In contrast, fewer efforts were made to illuminate potential mechanisms linking physiological and disease-related forms of tau to the normal and pathological regulation of kinases and phosphatases. Here, we discuss published work indicating that, through interactions with various kinases and phosphatases, tau may normally act as a scaffolding protein to regulate phosphorylation-based signaling pathways. Expanding on this concept, we also review experimental evidence linking disease-related tau species to the misregulation of these pathways. Collectively, the available evidence supports the participation of tau in multiple cellular processes sustaining neuronal and glial function through various mechanisms involving the scaffolding and regulation of selected kinases and phosphatases at discrete subcellular compartments. The notion that the repertoire of tau functions includes a role as a signaling hub should widen our interpretation of experimental results and increase our understanding of tau biology in normal and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Mueller
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Mohammed M Alhadidy
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Scott T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Gerardo A Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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58
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Residue Interaction Network Analysis Predicts a Val24-Ile31 Interaction May be Involved in Preventing Amyloid-Beta (1-42) Primary Nucleation. Protein J 2021; 40:175-183. [PMID: 33566321 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-021-09965-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients could benefit from a more effective treatment than the current FDA-approved options. Because amyloid-beta (Aβ) is thought to play a central role in AD pathogenesis, many experimental drugs attempt to reduce Aβ-induced pathology. Preventing amyloid accumulation may be a more effective strategy than clearing Aβ plaques after they form. If preventing Aβ accumulation can treat or prevent AD, then understanding Aβ primary nucleation may aid rational drug design. This study examines Aβ residue interaction networks and reports network and structural observations that may provide insight into primary nucleation. While many studies identify structural features of Aβ that promote aggregation, this study reports features that may resist primary nucleation by examining Aβ42 studies in more and less polar solvents. In Aβ42 in a less polar solvent (PDB ID: 1IYT), Val24 and Ile31 have higher betweenness and residue centrality values. This may be due to a predicted interaction between Val24 and Ile31. Residues in the central hydrophobic cluster (CHC) of Aβ40 and Aβ42 had significantly higher betweenness values compared to the average betweenness of the structures, highlighting the CHC's reported role in oligomerization. The predicted interaction between Val24 and Ile31 may reduce the likelihood of primary nucleation of Aβ.
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59
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Puzzo D, Argyrousi EK, Staniszewski A, Zhang H, Calcagno E, Zuccarello E, Acquarone E, Fa' M, Li Puma DD, Grassi C, D'Adamio L, Kanaan NM, Fraser PE, Arancio O. Tau is not necessary for amyloid-β-induced synaptic and memory impairments. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4831-4844. [PMID: 32544084 DOI: 10.1172/jci137040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The amyloid hypothesis posits that the amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein precedes and requires microtubule-associated protein tau in a sort of trigger-bullet mechanism leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. This sequence of events has become dogmatic in the AD field and is used to explain clinical trial failures due to a late start of the intervention when Aβ already activated tau. Here, using a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biological, biochemical, histopathological, electrophysiological, and behavioral methods, we demonstrated that tau suppression did not protect against Aβ-induced damage of long-term synaptic plasticity and memory, or from amyloid deposition. Tau suppression could even unravel a defect in basal synaptic transmission in a mouse model of amyloid deposition. Similarly, tau suppression did not protect against exogenous oligomeric tau-induced impairment of long-term synaptic plasticity and memory. The protective effect of tau suppression was, in turn, confined to short-term plasticity and memory. Taken together, our data suggest that therapies downstream of Aβ and tau together are more suitable to combat AD than therapies against one or the other alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Elentina K Argyrousi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Agnieszka Staniszewski
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elisa Calcagno
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elisa Zuccarello
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Erica Acquarone
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mauro Fa'
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Paul E Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, and.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, and.,Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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60
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Li Puma DD, Piacentini R, Grassi C. Does Impairment of Adult Neurogenesis Contribute to Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease? A Still Open Question. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:578211. [PMID: 33551741 PMCID: PMC7862134 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.578211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a physiological mechanism contributing to hippocampal memory formation. Several studies associated altered hippocampal neurogenesis with aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether amyloid-β protein (Aβ)/tau accumulation impairs adult hippocampal neurogenesis and, consequently, the hippocampal circuitry, involved in memory formation, or altered neurogenesis is an epiphenomenon of AD neuropathology contributing negligibly to the AD phenotype, is, especially in humans, still debated. The detrimental effects of Aβ/tau on synaptic function and neuronal viability have been clearly addressed both in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Until some years ago, studies carried out on in vitro models investigating the action of Aβ/tau on proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells led to contrasting results, mainly due to discrepancies arising from different experimental conditions (e.g., different cellular/animal models, different Aβ and/or tau isoforms, concentrations, and/or aggregation profiles). To date, studies investigating in situ adult hippocampal neurogenesis indicate severe impairment in most of transgenic AD mice; this impairment precedes by several months cognitive dysfunction. Using experimental tools, which only became available in the last few years, research in humans indicated that hippocampal neurogenesis is altered in cognitive declined individuals affected by either mild cognitive impairment or AD as well as in normal cognitive elderly with a significant inverse relationship between the number of newly formed neurons and cognitive impairment. However, despite that such information is available, the question whether impaired neurogenesis contributes to AD pathogenesis or is a mere consequence of Aβ/pTau accumulation is not definitively answered. Herein, we attempted to shed light on this complex and very intriguing topic by reviewing relevant literature on impairment of adult neurogenesis in mouse models of AD and in AD patients analyzing the temporal relationship between the occurrence of altered neurogenesis and the appearance of AD hallmarks and cognitive dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) is overshadowed by its degradation product, the Alzheimer protein Aβ. Lee et al. now find a role for the APP family in neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and memory in adulthood, despite the lack of requirement for neuronal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, 630W 168(th) Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, 630W 168(th) Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, 630W 168(th) Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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62
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Chen ML, Hong CG, Yue T, Li HM, Duan R, Hu WB, Cao J, Wang ZX, Chen CY, Hu XK, Wu B, Liu HM, Tan YJ, Liu JH, Luo ZW, Zhang Y, Rao SS, Luo MJ, Yin H, Wang YY, Xia K, Tang SY, Xie H, Liu ZZ. Inhibition of miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p ameliorates Alzheimer's disease by enhancing autophagy. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2395-2409. [PMID: 33500732 PMCID: PMC7797673 DOI: 10.7150/thno.47408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is currently ranked as the third leading cause of death for eldly people, just behind heart disease and cancer. Autophagy is declined with aging. Our study determined the biphasic changes of miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p associated with AD progression in APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model and demonstrated inhibiting miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p treatment prevented AD progression by promoting the autophagic clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ). Methods: The biphasic changes of microRNAs were obtained from RNA-seq data and verified by qRT-PCR in early-stage (6 months) and late-stage (12 months) APPswe/PS1dE9 mice (hereinafter referred to as AD mice). The AD progression was determined by analyzing Aβ levels, neuron numbers (MAP2+) and activated microglia (CD68+IBA1+) in brain tissues using immunohistological and immunofluorescent staining. MRNA and protein levels of autophagic-associated genes (Becn1, Sqstm1, LC3b) were tested to determine the autophagic activity. Morris water maze and object location test were employed to evaluate the memory and learning after antagomirs treatments in AD mice and the Aβ in the brain tissues were determined. Results: MiR-331-3p and miR-9-5p are down-regulated in early-stage of AD mice, whereas up-regulated in late-stage of AD mice. We demonstrated that miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p target autophagy receptors Sequestosome 1 (Sqstm1) and Optineurin (Optn), respectively. Overexpression of miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p in SH-SY5Y cell line impaired autophagic activity and promoted amyloid plaques formation. Moreover, AD mice had enhanced Aβ clearance, improved cognition and mobility when treated with miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p antagomirs at late-stage. Conclusion: Our study suggests that using miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p, along with autophagic activity and amyloid plaques may distinguish early versus late stage of AD for more accurate and timely diagnosis. Additionally, we further provide a possible new therapeutic strategy for AD patients by inhibiting miR-331-3p and miR-9-5p and enhancing autophagy.
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63
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Kyrke-Smith M, Logan B, Abraham WC, Williams JM. Bilateral histone deacetylase 1 and 2 activity and enrichment at unique genes following induction of long-term potentiation in vivo. Hippocampus 2020; 31:389-407. [PMID: 33378103 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a synaptic plasticity mechanism critical to long-term memory. LTP induced in vivo is characterized by altered transcriptional activity, including a period of upregulation of gene expression which is followed by a later dominant downregulation. This temporal shift to downregulated gene expression is predicted to be partly mediated by epigenetic inhibitors of gene expression, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs). Further, pharmacological inhibitors of HDAC activity have previously been shown to enhance LTP persistence in vitro. To explore the contribution of HDACs to the persistence of LTP in vivo, we examined HDAC1 and HDAC2 activity over a 24 hr period following unilateral LTP induction in the dentate gyrus of freely moving rats. Surprisingly, we found significant changes in HDAC1 and HDAC2 activity in both the stimulated as well as the unstimulated hemispheres, with the largest increase in activity occurring bilaterally, 20 min after LTP stimulation. During this time point of heightened activity, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that both HDAC1 and HDAC2 were enriched at distinct sets of genes within each hemispheres. Further, the HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A enhanced an intermediate phase of LTP lasting days, which has not previously been associated with altered transcription. The inhibitor had no effect on the persistence of LTP lasting weeks. Together, these data suggest that HDAC activity early after the induction of LTP may negatively regulate plasticity-related gene expression that is involved in the initial stabilization of LTP, but not its long-term maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Kyrke-Smith
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Logan
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Joanna M Williams
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Lee SH, Kang J, Ho A, Watanabe H, Bolshakov VY, Shen J. APP Family Regulates Neuronal Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity but Not Neuronal Survival. Neuron 2020; 108:676-690.e8. [PMID: 32891188 PMCID: PMC7704911 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is associated with both familial and sporadic forms of Alzheimer's disease. Despite its importance, the role of APP family in neuronal function and survival remains unclear because of perinatal lethality exhibited by knockout mice lacking all three APP family members. Here we report that selective inactivation of APP family members in excitatory neurons of the postnatal forebrain results in neither cortical neurodegeneration nor increases in apoptosis and gliosis up to ∼2 years of age. However, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory are impaired in these mutant mice. Furthermore, hippocampal neurons lacking APP family exhibit hyperexcitability, as evidenced by increased neuronal spiking in response to depolarizing current injections, whereas blockade of Kv7 channels mimics and largely occludes the effects of APP family inactivation. These findings demonstrate that APP family is not required for neuronal survival and suggest that APP family may regulate neuronal excitability through Kv7 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jongkyun Kang
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Angela Ho
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hirotaka Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Implications of Oligomeric Amyloid-Beta (oAβ 42) Signaling through α7β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability and Cognitive Decline. J Neurosci 2020; 41:555-575. [PMID: 33239400 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0876-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal and network-level hyperexcitability is commonly associated with increased levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) and contribute to cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanistic complexity underlying the selective loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), a well-recognized characteristic of AD, remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the oligomeric form of amyloid-β (oAβ42), interacting with α7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes, leads to subnucleus-specific alterations in BFCN excitability and impaired cognition. We used single-channel electrophysiology to show that oAβ42 activates both homomeric α7- and heteromeric α7β2-nAChR subtypes while preferentially enhancing α7β2-nAChR open-dwell times. Organotypic slice cultures were prepared from male and female ChAT-EGFP mice, and current-clamp recordings obtained from BFCNs chronically exposed to pathophysiologically relevant level of oAβ42 showed enhanced neuronal intrinsic excitability and action potential firing rates. These resulted from a reduction in action potential afterhyperpolarization and alterations in the maximal rates of voltage change during spike depolarization and repolarization. These effects were observed in BFCNs from the medial septum diagonal band and horizontal diagonal band, but not the nucleus basalis. Last, aged male and female APP/PS1 transgenic mice, genetically null for the β2 nAChR subunit gene, showed improved spatial reference memory compared with APP/PS1 aged-matched littermates. Combined, these data provide a molecular mechanism supporting a role for α7β2-nAChR in mediating the effects of oAβ42 on excitability of specific populations of cholinergic neurons and provide a framework for understanding the role of α7β2-nAChR in oAβ42-induced cognitive decline.
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66
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Yin T, Yao W, Lemenze AD, D'Adamio L. Danish and British dementia ITM2b/BRI2 mutations reduce BRI2 protein stability and impair glutamatergic synaptic transmission. J Biol Chem 2020; 296:100054. [PMID: 33172889 PMCID: PMC7948410 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2b/BRI2) gene cause familial British and Danish dementia (FBD and FDD), autosomal dominant disorders characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration. Two pathogenic mechanisms, which may not be mutually exclusive, have been proposed for FDD and FBD: 1) loss of BRI2 function; 2) accumulation of amyloidogenic mutant BRI2-derived peptides, but the mechanistic details remain unclear. We have previously reported a physiological role of BRI2 in excitatory synaptic transmission at both presynaptic termini and postsynaptic termini. To test whether pathogenic ITM2b mutations affect these physiological BRI2 functions, we analyzed glutamatergic transmission in FDD and FBD knock-in mice, which carry pathogenic FDD and FBD mutations into the mouse endogenous Itm2b gene. We show that in both mutant lines, spontaneous glutamate release and AMPAR-mediated responses are decreased, while short-term synaptic facilitation is increased, effects similar to those observed in Itm2bKO mice. In vivo and in vitro studies show that both pathogenic mutations alter maturation of BRI2 resulting in reduced levels of functional mature BRI2 protein at synapses. Collectively, the data show that FDD and FBD mutations cause a reduction of BRI2 levels and function at synapses, which results in reduced glutamatergic transmission. Notably, other genes mutated in Familial dementia, such as APP, PSEN1/PSEN2, are implicated in glutamatergic synaptic transmission, a function that is altered by pathogenic mutations. Thus, defects in excitatory neurotransmitter release may represent a general and convergent mechanism leading to neurodegeneration. Targeting these dysfunction may offer a unique disease modifying method of therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wen Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alexander D Lemenze
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
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67
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Seol Y, Ki S, Ryu HL, Chung S, Lee J, Ryu H. How Microglia Manages Non-cell Autonomous Vicious Cycling of Aβ Toxicity in the Pathogenesis of AD. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:593724. [PMID: 33328884 PMCID: PMC7718019 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.593724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and a common form of dementia that affects cognition and memory mostly in aged people. AD pathology is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) senile plaques and the neurofibrillary tangles of phosphorylated tau, resulting in cell damage and neurodegeneration. The extracellular deposition of Aβ is regarded as an important pathological marker and a principal-agent of neurodegeneration. However, the exact mechanism of Aβ-mediated pathogenesis is not fully understood yet. Recently, a growing body of evidence provides novel insights on the major role of microglia and its non-cell-autonomous cycling of Aβ toxicity. Hence, this article provides a comprehensive overview of microglia as a significant player in uncovering the underlying disease mechanisms of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- YunHee Seol
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soomin Ki
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Ewha Womens University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hannah L Ryu
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sooyoung Chung
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Junghee Lee
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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68
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Scialò C, Legname G. The role of the cellular prion protein in the uptake and toxic signaling of pathological neurodegenerative aggregates. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:297-323. [PMID: 32958237 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are invariably associated with intra- or extra-cellular deposition of aggregates composed of misfolded insoluble proteins. These deposits composed of tau, amyloid-β or α-synuclein spread from cell to cell, in a prion-like manner. Emerging evidence suggests that the circulating soluble species of these misfolded proteins (usually referred as oligomers) could play a major role in pathology, while insoluble aggregates would represent their protective less toxic counterparts. Convincing data support the hypothesis that the cellular prion protein, PrPC, act as a toxicity-transducing receptor for amyloid-β oligomers. As a consequence, several studies extended investigations to the role played by PrPC in binding aggregates of proteins other than Aβ, such as tau and α-synuclein, for its possible common role in mediating toxic signaling. A better characterization of the biological relevance of PrPC as key ligand and potential mediator of toxicity for multiple proteinaceous aggregated species, prions or PrPSc included, would bring relevant therapeutic implications. Here we will first describe the structure of the prion protein and the hypothesized interplay with its pathological counterpart PrPSc and then we will recapitulate the most relevant discoveries regarding the role of PrPC in the interaction with aggregated forms of other neurodegeneration-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Scialò
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.
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69
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Camporesi E, Nilsson J, Brinkmalm A, Becker B, Ashton NJ, Blennow K, Zetterberg H. Fluid Biomarkers for Synaptic Dysfunction and Loss. Biomark Insights 2020; 15:1177271920950319. [PMID: 32913390 PMCID: PMC7444114 DOI: 10.1177/1177271920950319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses are the site for brain communication where information is transmitted between neurons and stored for memory formation. Synaptic degeneration is a global and early pathogenic event in neurodegenerative disorders with reduced levels of pre- and postsynaptic proteins being recognized as a core feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Together with AD, other neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders show altered synaptic homeostasis as an important pathogenic event, and due to that, they are commonly referred to as synaptopathies. The exact mechanisms of synapse dysfunction in the different diseases are not well understood and their study would help understanding the pathogenic role of synaptic degeneration, as well as differences and commonalities among them and highlight candidate synaptic biomarkers for specific disorders. The assessment of synaptic proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can reflect synaptic dysfunction in patients with cognitive disorders, is a keen area of interest. Substantial research efforts are now directed toward the investigation of CSF synaptic pathology to improve the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders at an early stage as well as to monitor clinical progression. In this review, we will first summarize the pathological events that lead to synapse loss and then discuss the available data on established (eg, neurogranin, SNAP-25, synaptotagmin-1, GAP-43, and α-syn) and emerging (eg, synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A and neuronal pentraxins) CSF biomarkers for synapse dysfunction, while highlighting possible utilities, disease specificity, and technical challenges for their detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Camporesi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johanna Nilsson
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ann Brinkmalm
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bruno Becker
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health & Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
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70
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Hill E, Wall MJ, Moffat KG, Karikari TK. Understanding the Pathophysiological Actions of Tau Oligomers: A Critical Review of Current Electrophysiological Approaches. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:155. [PMID: 32973448 PMCID: PMC7468384 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a predominantly neuronal protein that is normally bound to microtubules, where it acts to modulate neuronal and axonal stability. In humans, pathological forms of tau are implicated in a range of diseases that are collectively known as tauopathies. Kinases and phosphatases are responsible for maintaining the correct balance of tau phosphorylation to enable axons to be both stable and labile enough to function properly. In the early stages of tauopathies, this balance is interrupted leading to dissociation of tau from microtubules. This leaves microtubules prone to damage and phosphorylated tau prone to aggregation. Initially, phosphorylated tau forms oligomers, then fibrils, and ultimately neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). It is widely accepted that the initial soluble oligomeric forms of tau are probably the most pathologically relevant species but there is relatively little quantitative information to explain exactly what their toxic effects are at the individual neuron level. Electrophysiology provides a valuable tool to help uncover the mechanisms of action of tau oligomers on synaptic transmission within single neurons. Understanding the concentration-, time-, and neuronal compartment-dependent actions of soluble tau oligomers on neuronal and synaptic properties are essential to understanding how best to counteract its effects and to develop effective treatment strategies. Here, we briefly discuss the standard approaches used to elucidate these actions, focusing on the advantages and shortcomings of the experimental procedures. Subsequently, we will describe a new approach that addresses specific challenges with the current methods, thus allowing real-time toxicity evaluation at the single-neuron level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Wall
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin G Moffat
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Cocco S, Rinaudo M, Fusco S, Longo V, Gironi K, Renna P, Aceto G, Mastrodonato A, Li Puma DD, Podda MV, Grassi C. Plasma BDNF Levels Following Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Allow Prediction of Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Deficits in 3×Tg-AD Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:541. [PMID: 32719795 PMCID: PMC7349675 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) supposedly increases the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. However, presently available diagnostic procedures are either invasive or require complex and expensive technologies, which cannot be applied at a larger scale to screen populations at risk of AD. We were looking for a biomarker allowing to unveil a dysfunction of molecular mechanisms, which underly synaptic plasticity and memory, before the AD phenotype is manifested and investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in 3×Tg-AD mice, an experimental model of AD which does not exhibit any long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory deficits at the age of 3 months (3×Tg-AD-3M). Our results demonstrated that tDCS differentially affected 3×Tg-AD-3M and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. While tDCS increased LTP at CA3-CA1 synapses and memory in WT mice, it failed to elicit these effects in 3×Tg-AD-3M mice. Remarkably, 3×Tg-AD-3M mice did not show the tDCS-dependent increases in pCREBSer133 and pCaMKIIThr286, which were found in WT mice. Of relevance, tDCS induced a significant increase of plasma BDNF levels in WT mice, which was not found in 3×Tg-AD-3M mice. Collectively, our results showed that plasticity mechanisms are resistant to tDCS effects in the pre-AD stage. In particular, the lack of BDNF responsiveness to tDCS in 3×Tg-AD-3M mice suggests that combining tDCS with dosages of plasma BDNF levels may provide an easy-to-detect and low-cost biomarker of covert impairment of synaptic plasticity mechanisms underlying memory, which could be clinically applicable. Testing proposed here might be useful to identify AD in its preclinical stage, allowing timely and, hopefully, more effective disease-modifying interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cocco
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rinaudo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Longo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Gironi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Renna
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aceto
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Podda
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Chatzistavraki M, Papazafiri P, Efthimiopoulos S. Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Regulates Depolarization-Induced Calcium-Mediated Synaptic Signaling in Brain Slices. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 76:1121-1133. [PMID: 32597808 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coordinated calcium influx upon neuronal depolarization activates pathways that phosphorylate CaMKII, ERKs, and the transcription factor CREB and, therefore, expression of pro-survival and neuroprotective genes. Recent evidence indicates that amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) is trafficked to synapses and promotes their formation. At the synapse, AβPP interacts with synaptic proteins involved in vesicle exocytosis and affects calcium channel function. OBJECTIVE Herein, we examined the role of AβPP in depolarization-induced calcium-mediated signaling using acute cerebral slices from wild-type C57bl/6 mice and AβPP-/- C57bl/6 mice. METHODS Depolarization of acute cerebral slices from wild-type C57bl/6 and AβPP-/- C57bl/6 mice was used to induce synaptic signaling. Protein levels were examined by western blot and calcium dynamics were assessed using primary neuronal cultures. RESULTS In the absence of AβPP, decreased pCaMKII and pERKs levels were observed. This decrease was sensitive to the inhibition of N- and P/Q-type Voltage Gated Calcium Channels (N- and P/Q-VGCCs) by ω-conotoxin GVIA and ω-conotoxin MVIIC, respectively, but not to inhibition of L-type VGCCs by nifedipine. However, the absence of AβPP did not result in a statistically significant decrease of pCREB, which is a known substrate of pERKs. Finally, using calcium imaging, we found that down regulation of AβPP in cortical neurons results in a decreased response to depolarization and altered kinetics of calcium response. CONCLUSION AβPP regulates synaptic activity-mediated neuronal signaling by affecting N- and P/Q-VGCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chatzistavraki
- Department of Biology, Division of Animal and Human Physiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Ilisia, Greece
| | - Panagiota Papazafiri
- Department of Biology, Division of Animal and Human Physiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Ilisia, Greece
| | - Spiros Efthimiopoulos
- Department of Biology, Division of Animal and Human Physiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Ilisia, Greece
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Caneus J, Akanda N, Rumsey JW, Guo X, Jackson M, Long CJ, Sommerhage F, Georgieva S, Kanaan NM, Morgan D, Hickman JJ. A human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neuron human-on-a chip system to study Aβ 42 and tau-induced pathophysiological effects on long-term potentiation. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2020; 6:e12029. [PMID: 32490141 PMCID: PMC7253154 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The quest to identify an effective therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases, such as mild congitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), suffers from the lack of good human-based models. Animals represent the most common models used in basic research and drug discovery studies. However, safe and effective compounds identified in animal studies often translate poorly to humans, yielding unsuccessful clinical trials. METHODS A functional in vitro assay based on long-term potentiation (LTP) was used to demonstrate that exposure to amyloid beta (Aβ42) and tau oligomers, or brain extracts from AD transgenic mice led to prominent changes in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons, notably, without cell death. RESULTS Impaired information processing was demonstrated by treatment of neuron-MEA (microelectrode array) systems with the oligomers and brain extracts by reducing the effects of LTP induction. These data confirm the neurotoxicity of molecules linked to AD pathology and indicate the utility of this human-based system to model aspects of AD in vitro and study LTP deficits without loss of viability; a phenotype that more closely models the preclinical or early stage of AD. DISCUSSION In this study, by combining multiple relevant and important molecular and technical aspects of neuroscience research, we generated a new, fully human in vitro system to model and study AD at the preclinical stage. This system can serve as a novel drug discovery platform to identify compounds that rescue or alleviate the initial neuronal deficits caused by Aβ42 and/or tau oligomers, a main focus of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julbert Caneus
- NanoScience Technology CenterUniversity of Central FloridaOrlandoFloridaUSA
| | - Nesar Akanda
- NanoScience Technology CenterUniversity of Central FloridaOrlandoFloridaUSA
| | | | - Xiufang Guo
- NanoScience Technology CenterUniversity of Central FloridaOrlandoFloridaUSA
| | | | | | - Frank Sommerhage
- NanoScience Technology CenterUniversity of Central FloridaOrlandoFloridaUSA
| | - Sanya Georgieva
- NanoScience Technology CenterUniversity of Central FloridaOrlandoFloridaUSA
| | - Nicholas M. Kanaan
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceMichigan State UniversityCollege of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids Research CenterGrand RapidsMichiganUSA
| | - David Morgan
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceMichigan State UniversityCollege of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids Research CenterGrand RapidsMichiganUSA
| | - James J. Hickman
- NanoScience Technology CenterUniversity of Central FloridaOrlandoFloridaUSA
- Hesperos Inc.OrlandoFloridaUSA
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74
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Effect of Aβ Oligomers on Neuronal APP Triggers a Vicious Cycle Leading to the Propagation of Synaptic Plasticity Alterations to Healthy Neurons. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5161-5176. [PMID: 32444385 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2501-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations of excitatory synaptic function are the strongest correlate to the pathologic disturbance of cognitive ability observed in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This pathologic feature is driven by amyloid-β oligomers (Aβos) and propagates from neuron to neuron. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which Aβos affect the function of synapses and how these alterations propagate to surrounding healthy neurons. We used complementary techniques ranging from electrophysiological recordings and molecular biology to confocal microscopy in primary cortical cultures, and from acute hippocampal and cortical slices from male wild-type and amyloid precursor protein (APP) knock-out (KO) mice to assess the effects of Aβos on glutamatergic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic spine structure. We showed that extracellular application of Aβos reduced glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation. These alterations were not observed in APP KO neurons, suggesting that APP expression is required. We demonstrated that Aβos/APP interaction increases the amyloidogenic processing of APP leading to intracellular accumulation of newly produced Aβos. Intracellular Aβos participate in synaptic dysfunctions as shown by pharmacological inhibition of APP processing or by intraneuronal infusion of an antibody raised against Aβos. Furthermore, we provide evidence that following APP processing, extracellular release of Aβos mediates the propagation of the synaptic pathology characterized by a decreased spine density of neighboring healthy neurons in an APP-dependent manner. Together, our data unveil a complementary role for Aβos in AD, while intracellular Aβos alter synaptic function, extracellular Aβos promote a vicious cycle that propagates synaptic pathology from diseased to healthy neurons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Here we provide the proof that a vicious cycle between extracellular and intracellular pools of Aβ oligomers (Aβos) is required for the spreading of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. We showed that extracellular Aβos propagate excitatory synaptic alterations by promoting amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing. Our results also suggest that subsequent to APP cleavage two pools of Aβos are produced. One pool accumulates inside the cytosol, inducing the loss of synaptic plasticity potential. The other pool is released into the extracellular space and contributes to the propagation of the pathology from diseased to healthy neurons. Pharmacological strategies targeting the proteolytic cleavage of APP disrupt the relationship between extracellular and intracellular Aβ, providing a therapeutic approach for the disease.
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Marcocci ME, Napoletani G, Protto V, Kolesova O, Piacentini R, Li Puma DD, Lomonte P, Grassi C, Palamara AT, De Chiara G. Herpes Simplex Virus-1 in the Brain: The Dark Side of a Sneaky Infection. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:808-820. [PMID: 32386801 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) establishes latency preferentially in sensory neurons of peripheral ganglia. A variety of stresses can induce recurrent reactivations of the virus, which spreads and then actively replicates to the site of primary infection (usually the lips or eyes). Viral particles produced following reactivation can also reach the brain, causing a rare but severe form of diffuse acute infection, namely herpes simplex encephalitis. Most of the time, this infection is clinically asymptomatic. However, it was recently correlated with the production and accumulation of neuropathological biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. In this review we discuss the different cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the acute and long-term damage caused by HSV-1 infection in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Napoletani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Protto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Olga Kolesova
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrick Lomonte
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U 1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Lyon, France
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Tau protein which was discovered in 1975 [310] became of great interest when it was identified as the main component of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), a pathological feature in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) [39, 110, 232]. Tau protein is expressed mainly in the brain as six isoforms generated by alternative splicing [46, 97]. Tau is a microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) and plays a role in microtubules assembly and stability, as well as diverse cellular processes such as cell morphogenesis, cell division, and intracellular trafficking [49]. Additionally, Tau is involved in much larger neuronal functions particularly at the level of synapses and nuclei [11, 133, 280]. Tau is also physiologically released by neurons [233] even if the natural function of extracellular Tau remains to be uncovered (see other chapters of the present book).
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Corsetti V, Borreca A, Latina V, Giacovazzo G, Pignataro A, Krashia P, Natale F, Cocco S, Rinaudo M, Malerba F, Florio R, Ciarapica R, Coccurello R, D’Amelio M, Ammassari-Teule M, Grassi C, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Passive immunotherapy for N-truncated tau ameliorates the cognitive deficits in two mouse Alzheimer's disease models. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa039. [PMID: 32954296 PMCID: PMC7425324 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical and neuropathological studies have shown that tau pathology better correlates with the severity of dementia than amyloid plaque burden, making tau an attractive target for the cure of Alzheimer's disease. We have explored whether passive immunization with the 12A12 monoclonal antibody (26-36aa of tau protein) could improve the Alzheimer's disease phenotype of two well-established mouse models, Tg2576 and 3xTg mice. 12A12 is a cleavage-specific monoclonal antibody which selectively binds the pathologically relevant neurotoxic NH226-230 fragment (i.e. NH2htau) of tau protein without cross-reacting with its full-length physiological form(s). We found out that intravenous administration of 12A12 monoclonal antibody into symptomatic (6 months old) animals: (i) reaches the hippocampus in its biologically active (antigen-binding competent) form and successfully neutralizes its target; (ii) reduces both pathological tau and amyloid precursor protein/amyloidβ metabolisms involved in early disease-associated synaptic deterioration; (iii) improves episodic-like type of learning/memory skills in hippocampal-based novel object recognition and object place recognition behavioural tasks; (iv) restores the specific up-regulation of the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein involved in consolidation of experience-dependent synaptic plasticity; (v) relieves the loss of dendritic spine connectivity in pyramidal hippocampal CA1 neurons; (vi) rescues the Alzheimer's disease-related electrophysiological deficits in hippocampal long-term potentiation at the CA3-CA1 synapses; and (vii) mitigates the neuroinflammatory response (reactive gliosis). These findings indicate that the 20-22 kDa NH2-terminal tau fragment is crucial target for Alzheimer's disease therapy and prospect immunotherapy with 12A12 monoclonal antibody as safe (normal tau-preserving), beneficial approach in contrasting the early Amyloidβ-dependent and independent neuropathological and cognitive alterations in affected subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Borreca
- Humanitas University Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Neuro Center, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Paraskevi Krashia
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology for Humans and Environment, University Campus Bio-medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Natale
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rinaudo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rita Florio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Coccurello
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Institute for Complex Systems (ISC), CNR, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D’Amelio
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology for Humans and Environment, University Campus Bio-medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Grassi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)–National Research Council (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
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78
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Tambini MD, Norris KA, D'Adamio L. Opposite changes in APP processing and human Aβ levels in rats carrying either a protective or a pathogenic APP mutation. eLife 2020; 9:52612. [PMID: 32022689 PMCID: PMC7018507 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleavage of APP by BACE1/β-secretase initiates the amyloidogenic cascade leading to Amyloid-β (Aβ) production. α-Secretase initiates the non-amyloidogenic pathway preventing Aβ production. Several APP mutations cause familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), while the Icelandic APP mutation near the BACE1-cleavage site protects from sporadic dementia, emphasizing APP's role in dementia pathogenesis. To study APP protective/pathogenic mechanisms, we generated knock-in rats carrying either the protective (Appp) or the pathogenic Swedish mutation (Apps), also located near the BACE1-cleavage site. α-Cleavage is favored over β-processing in Appp rats. Consequently, non-amyloidogenic and amyloidogenic APP metabolites are increased and decreased, respectively. The reverse APP processing shift occurs in Apps rats. These opposite effects on APP β/α-processing suggest that protection from and pathogenesis of dementia depend upon combinatorial and opposite alterations in APP metabolism rather than simply on Aβ levels. The Icelandic mutation also protects from aging-dependent cognitive decline, suggesting that similar mechanisms underlie physiological cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc D Tambini
- Department of Pharmacology Physiology & Neuroscience New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, United States
| | - Kelly A Norris
- Department of Pharmacology Physiology & Neuroscience New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, United States
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology Physiology & Neuroscience New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, United States
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79
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Ye J, Yin Y, Liu H, Fang L, Tao X, Wei L, Zuo Y, Yin Y, Ke D, Wang J. Tau inhibits PKA by nuclear proteasome-dependent PKAR2α elevation with suppressed CREB/GluA1 phosphorylation. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13055. [PMID: 31668016 PMCID: PMC6974714 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Intraneuronal accumulation of wild-type tau plays a key role in Alzheimer's disease, while the mechanisms underlying tauopathy and memory impairment remain unclear. Here, we report that overexpressing full-length wild-type human tau (hTau) in mouse hippocampus induces learning and memory deficits with remarkably reduced levels of multiple synapse- and memory-associated proteins. Overexpressing hTau inhibits the activity of protein kinase A (PKA) and decreases the phosphorylation level of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), GluA1, and TrkB with reduced BDNF mRNA and protein levels both in vitro and in vivo. Simultaneously, overexpressing hTau increased PKAR2α (an inhibitory subunit of PKA) in nuclear fraction and inactivated proteasome activity. With an increased association of PKAR2α with PA28γ (a nuclear proteasome activator), the formation of PA28γ-20S proteasome complex remarkably decreased in the nuclear fraction, followed by a reduced interaction of PKAR2α with 20S proteasome. Both downregulating PKAR2α by shRNA and upregulating proteasome by expressing PA28γ rescued hTau-induced PKA inhibition and CREB dephosphorylation, and upregulating PKA improved hTau-induced cognitive deficits in mice. Together, these data reveal that intracellular tau accumulation induces synapse and memory impairments by inhibiting PKA/CREB/BDNF/TrkB and PKA/GluA1 signaling, and deficit of PA28γ-20S proteasome complex formation contributes to PKAR2α elevation and PKA inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwang Ye
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Yaling Yin
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang China
| | - Huanhuan Liu
- School of Pharmacy Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang China
| | - Lin Fang
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Xiaoqing Tao
- Department of Physiology School of Basic Medicine Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Linyu Wei
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang China
| | - Yue Zuo
- School of Pharmacy Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang China
| | - Ying Yin
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Dan Ke
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Jian‐Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang China
- Co‐innovation Center of Neurodegeneration Nantong University Nantong China
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80
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Pampuscenko K, Morkuniene R, Sneideris T, Smirnovas V, Budvytyte R, Valincius G, Brown GC, Borutaite V. Extracellular tau induces microglial phagocytosis of living neurons in cell cultures. J Neurochem 2019; 154:316-329. [PMID: 31834946 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein, found at high levels in neurons, and its aggregation is associated with neurodegeneration. Recently, it was found that tau can be actively secreted from neurons, but the effects of extracellular tau on neuronal viability are unclear. In this study, we investigated whether extracellular tau2N4R can cause neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat brain neurons and glial cells. Cell cultures were examined for neuronal loss, death, and phosphatidylserine exposure, as well as for microglial phagocytosis by fluorescence microscopy. Aggregation of tau2N4R was assessed by atomic force microscopy. We found that extracellular addition of tau induced a gradual loss of neurons over 1-2 days, without neuronal necrosis or apoptosis, but accompanied by proliferation of microglia in the neuronal-glial co-cultures. Tau addition caused exposure of the 'eat-me' signal phosphatidylserine on the surface of living neurons, and this was prevented by elimination of the microglia or by inhibition of neutral sphingomyelinase. Tau also increased the phagocytic activity of pure microglia, and this was blocked by inhibitors of neutral sphingomyelinase or protein kinase C. The neuronal loss induced by tau was prevented by inhibitors of neutral sphingomyelinase, protein kinase C or the phagocytic receptor MerTK, or by eliminating microglia from the cultures. The data suggest that extracellular tau induces primary phagocytosis of stressed neurons by activated microglia, and identifies multiple ways in which the neuronal loss induced by tau can be prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katryna Pampuscenko
- Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ramune Morkuniene
- Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Sneideris
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rima Budvytyte
- Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gintaras Valincius
- Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Guy C Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vilmante Borutaite
- Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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81
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Forner S, Martini AC, Prieto GA, Dang CT, Rodriguez-Ortiz CJ, Reyes-Ruiz JM, Trujillo-Estrada L, da Cunha C, Andrews EJ, Phan J, Vu Ha J, Chang AVZD, Levites Y, Cruz PE, Ager R, Medeiros R, Kitazawa M, Glabe CG, Cotman CW, Golde T, Baglietto-Vargas D, LaFerla FM. Intra- and extracellular β-amyloid overexpression via adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer impairs memory and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15936. [PMID: 31685865 PMCID: PMC6828807 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, is currently conceptualized as a disease of synaptic failure. Synaptic impairments are robust within the AD brain and better correlate with dementia severity when compared with other pathological features of the disease. Nevertheless, the series of events that promote synaptic failure still remain under debate, as potential triggers such as β-amyloid (Aβ) can vary in size, configuration and cellular location, challenging data interpretation in causation studies. Here we present data obtained using adeno-associated viral (AAV) constructs that drive the expression of oligomeric Aβ either intra or extracellularly. We observed that expression of Aβ in both cellular compartments affect learning and memory, reduce the number of synapses and the expression of synaptic-related proteins, and disrupt chemical long-term potentiation (cLTP). Together, these findings indicate that during the progression AD the early accumulation of Aβ inside neurons is sufficient to promote morphological and functional cellular toxicity, a phenomenon that can be exacerbated by the buildup of Aβ in the brain parenchyma. Moreover, our AAV constructs represent a valuable tool in the investigation of the pathological properties of Aβ oligomers both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Forner
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Alessandra C Martini
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - G Aleph Prieto
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Cindy T Dang
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | | | - Jorge Mauricio Reyes-Ruiz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Laura Trujillo-Estrada
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Celia da Cunha
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Andrews
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jimmy Phan
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jordan Vu Ha
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Allissa V Z D Chang
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yona Levites
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Pedro E Cruz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Rahasson Ager
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Rodrigo Medeiros
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Masashi Kitazawa
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Charles G Glabe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Carl W Cotman
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Todd Golde
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - David Baglietto-Vargas
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Frank M LaFerla
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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82
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Introduction of Tau Oligomers into Cortical Neurons Alters Action Potential Dynamics and Disrupts Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0166-19.2019. [PMID: 31554666 PMCID: PMC6794083 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0166-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a highly soluble microtubule-associated protein that acts within neurons to modify microtubule stability. However, abnormally phosphorylated tau dissociates from microtubules to form oligomers and fibrils which associate in the somatodendritic compartment. Although tau can form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), it is the soluble oligomers that appear to be the toxic species. There is, however, relatively little quantitative information on the concentration-dependent and time-dependent actions of soluble tau oligomers (oTau) on the electrophysiological and synaptic properties of neurons. Here, whole-cell patch clamp recording was used to introduce known concentrations of oligomeric full-length tau-441 into mouse hippocampal CA1 pyramidal and neocortical Layer V thick-tufted pyramidal cells. oTau increased input resistance, reduced action potential amplitude and slowed action potential rise and decay kinetics. oTau injected into presynaptic neurons induced the run-down of unitary EPSPs which was associated with increased short-term depression. In contrast, introduction of oTau into postsynaptic neurons had no effect on basal synaptic transmission, but markedly impaired the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). Consistent with its effects on synaptic transmission and plasticity, oTau puncta could be observed in the soma, axon and in the distal dendrites of injected neurons.
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83
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Tsokas P, Rivard B, Hsieh C, Cottrell JE, Fenton AA, Sacktor TC. Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide Perfusion Blocks Gene Expression of Synaptic Plasticity-related Proteins without Inducing Compensation in Hippocampal Slices. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3387. [PMID: 31803793 PMCID: PMC6892586 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of long-term synaptic plasticity has been hindered by both the compensation that can occur after chronic loss of the core plasticity molecules and by ex vivo conditions that may not reproduce in vivo plasticity. Here we describe a novel method to rapidly suppress gene expression by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) applied to rodent brain slices in an "Oslo-type" interface chamber. The method has three advantageous features: 1) rapid blockade of new synthesis of the targeted proteins that avoids genetic compensation, 2) efficient oxygenation of the brain slice, which is critical for reproducing in vivo conditions of long-term synaptic plasticity, and 3) a recirculation system that uses only small volumes of bath solution (< 5 ml), reducing the amount of reagents required for long-term experiments lasting many hours. The method employs a custom-made recirculation system involving piezoelectric micropumps and was first used for the acute translational blockade of protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ) synthesis during long-term potentiation (LTP) by Tsokas et al., 2016. In that study, applying antisense-ODN rapidly prevents the synthesis of PKMζ and blocks late-LTP without inducing the compensation by other protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms that occurs in PKCζ/PKMζ knockout mice. In addition, we show that in a low-oxygenation submersion-type chamber, applications of the atypical PKC inhibitor, zeta inhibitory peptide (ZIP), can result in unstable baseline synaptic transmission, but in the high-oxygenation, "Oslo-type" interface electrophysiology chamber, the drug reverses late-LTP without affecting baseline synaptic transmission. This comparison reveals that the interface chamber, but not the submersion chamber, reproduces the effects of ZIP in vivo. Therefore, the protocol combines the ability to acutely block new synthesis of specific proteins for the study of long-term synaptic plasticity, while maintaining properties of synaptic transmission that reproduce in vivo conditions relevant for long-term memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiotis Tsokas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
| | - Bruno Rivard
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
| | - Changchi Hsieh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
| | - James E. Cottrell
- Department of Anesthesiology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
| | - André Antonio Fenton
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Todd Charlton Sacktor
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, United States
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84
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García-González L, Pilat D, Baranger K, Rivera S. Emerging Alternative Proteinases in APP Metabolism and Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis: A Focus on MT1-MMP and MT5-MMP. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:244. [PMID: 31607898 PMCID: PMC6769103 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Processing of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) into amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) by β-secretase and γ-secretase complex is at the heart of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Targeting this proteolytic pathway effectively reduces/prevents pathology and cognitive decline in preclinical experimental models of the disease, but therapeutic strategies based on secretase activity modifying drugs have so far failed in clinical trials. Although this may raise some doubts on the relevance of β- and γ-secretases as targets, new APP-cleaving enzymes, including meprin-β, legumain (δ-secretase), rhomboid-like protein-4 (RHBDL4), caspases and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs/η-secretases) have confirmed that APP processing remains a solid mechanism in AD pathophysiology. This review will discuss recent findings on the roles of all these proteinases in the nervous system, and in particular on the roles of MT-MMPs, which are at the crossroads of pathological events involving not only amyloidogenesis, but also inflammation and synaptic dysfunctions. Assessing the potential of these emerging proteinases in the Alzheimer’s field opens up new research prospects to improve our knowledge of fundamental mechanisms of the disease and help us establish new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominika Pilat
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, Marseille, France
| | - Kévin Baranger
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, Marseille, France
| | - Santiago Rivera
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, Marseille, France
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85
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Penke B, Bogár F, Paragi G, Gera J, Fülöp L. Key Peptides and Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:577-599. [PMID: 30605056 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666190103123434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a form of progressive dementia involving cognitive impairment, loss of learning and memory. Different proteins (such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), β- amyloid (Aβ) and tau protein) play a key role in the initiation and progression of AD. We review the role of the most important proteins and peptides in AD pathogenesis. The structure, biosynthesis and physiological role of APP are shortly summarized. The details of trafficking and processing of APP to Aβ, the cytosolic intracellular Aβ domain (AICD) and small soluble proteins are shown, together with other amyloid-forming proteins such as tau and α-synuclein (α-syn). Hypothetic physiological functions of Aβ are summarized. The mechanism of conformational change, the formation and the role of neurotoxic amyloid oligomeric (oAβ) are shown. The fibril formation process and the co-existence of different steric structures (U-shaped and S-shaped) of Aβ monomers in mature fibrils are demonstrated. We summarize the known pathogenic and non-pathogenic mutations and show the toxic interactions of Aβ species after binding to cellular receptors. Tau phosphorylation, fibrillation, the molecular structure of tau filaments and their toxic effect on microtubules are shown. Development of Aβ and tau imaging in AD brain and CSF as well as blood biomarkers is shortly summarized. The most probable pathomechanisms of AD including the toxic effects of oAβ and tau; the three (biochemical, cellular and clinical) phases of AD are shown. Finally, the last section summarizes the present state of Aβ- and tau-directed therapies and future directions of AD research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botond Penke
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Bogár
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Dom square 8, Hungary
| | - Gábor Paragi
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Dom square 8, Hungary.,Institute of Physics, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pecs, Ifjusag utja 6, Hungary
| | - János Gera
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Lívia Fülöp
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dom square 8, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
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86
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Ittner A, Ittner LM. Dendritic Tau in Alzheimer's Disease. Neuron 2019; 99:13-27. [PMID: 30001506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau and amyloid-β (Aβ) are key players in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ and tau are linked in a molecular pathway at the post-synapse with tau-dependent synaptic dysfunction being a major pathomechanism in AD. Recent work on site-specific modification of dendritic and more specifically post-synaptic tau has revealed new endogenous functions of tau that limits synaptic Aβ toxicity. Thus, molecular studies opened a new perspective on tau, placing it at the center of neurotoxic and neuroprotective signaling at the post-synapse. Here, we review recent advances on tau in the dendritic compartments, with implications for understanding and treatment of AD and related neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia; Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia.
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87
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Gulisano W, Melone M, Ripoli C, Tropea MR, Li Puma DD, Giunta S, Cocco S, Marcotulli D, Origlia N, Palmeri A, Arancio O, Conti F, Grassi C, Puzzo D. Neuromodulatory Action of Picomolar Extracellular Aβ42 Oligomers on Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Mechanisms Underlying Synaptic Function and Memory. J Neurosci 2019; 39:5986-6000. [PMID: 31127002 PMCID: PMC6650983 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0163-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Failure of anti-amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) therapies against Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by high amounts of the peptide in the brain, raised the question of the physiological role of Aβ released at low concentrations in the healthy brain. To address this question, we studied the presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory action of picomolar amounts of oligomeric Aβ42 (oAβ42) on synaptic glutamatergic function in male and female mice. We found that 200 pm oAβ42 induces an increase of frequency of miniature EPSCs and a decrease of paired pulse facilitation, associated with an increase in docked vesicle number, indicating that it augments neurotransmitter release at presynaptic level. oAβ42 also produced postsynaptic changes as shown by an increased length of postsynaptic density, accompanied by an increased expression of plasticity-related proteins such as cAMP-responsive element binding protein phosphorylated at Ser133, calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II phosphorylated at Thr286, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, suggesting a role for Aβ in synaptic tagging. These changes resulted in the conversion of early into late long-term potentiation through the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G intracellular cascade consistent with a cGMP-dependent switch from short- to long-term memory observed in vivo after intrahippocampal administration of picomolar amounts of oAβ42 These effects were present upon extracellular but not intracellular application of the peptide and involved α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These observations clarified the physiological role of oAβ42 in synaptic function and memory formation providing solid fundamentals for investigating the pathological effects of high Aβ levels in the AD brains.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT High levels of oligomeric amyloid-β42 (oAβ42) induce synaptic dysfunction leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, at picomolar concentrations, the peptide is needed to ensure long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory. Here, we show that extracellular 200 pm oAβ42 concentrations increase neurotransmitter release, number of docked vesicles, postsynaptic density length, and expression of plasticity-related proteins leading to the conversion of early LTP into late LTP and of short-term memory into long-term memory. These effects require α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and are mediated through the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway. The knowledge of Aβ function in the healthy brain might be useful to understand the causes leading to its increase and detrimental effect in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Marcello Melone
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani (INRCA), Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Cristian Ripoli
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giunta
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniele Marcotulli
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Nicola Origlia
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council, Pisa 56100, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani (INRCA), Ancona 60020, Italy
- Foundation for Molecular Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy, and
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy,
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, 94018, Italy
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88
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Acquarone E, Argyrousi EK, van den Berg M, Gulisano W, Fà M, Staniszewski A, Calcagno E, Zuccarello E, D’Adamio L, Deng SX, Puzzo D, Arancio O, Fiorito J. Synaptic and memory dysfunction induced by tau oligomers is rescued by up-regulation of the nitric oxide cascade. Mol Neurodegener 2019; 14:26. [PMID: 31248451 PMCID: PMC6598340 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-019-0326-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soluble aggregates of oligomeric forms of tau protein (oTau) have been associated with impairment of synaptic plasticity and memory in Alzheimer's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the synaptic and memory dysfunction induced by elevation of oTau are still unknown. METHODS This work used a combination of biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral techniques. Biochemical methods included analysis of phosphorylation of the cAMP-responsive element binding (CREB) protein, a transcriptional factor involved in memory, histone acetylation, and expression immediate early genes c-Fos and Arc. Electrophysiological methods included assessment of long-term potentiation (LTP), a type of synaptic plasticity thought to underlie memory formation. Behavioral studies investigated both short-term spatial memory and associative memory. These phenomena were examined following oTau elevation. RESULTS Levels of phospho-CREB, histone 3 acetylation at lysine 27, and immediate early genes c-Fos and Arc, were found to be reduced after oTau elevation during memory formation. These findings led us to explore whether up-regulation of various components of the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway impinging onto CREB is capable of rescuing oTau-induced impairment of plasticity, memory, and CREB phosphorylation. The increase of NO levels protected against oTau-induced impairment of LTP through activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Similarly, the elevation of cGMP levels and stimulation of the cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG) re-established normal LTP after exposure to oTau. Pharmacological inhibition of cGMP degradation through inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), rescued oTau-induced LTP reduction. These findings could be extrapolated to memory because PKG activation and PDE5 inhibition rescued oTau-induced memory impairment. Finally, PDE5 inhibition re-established normal elevation of CREB phosphorylation and cGMP levels after memory induction in the presence of oTau. CONCLUSIONS Up-regulation of CREB activation through agents acting on the NO cascade might be beneficial against tau-induced synaptic and memory dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Acquarone
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
- DiMi Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elentina K. Argyrousi
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Manon van den Berg
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Mauro Fà
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Agnieszka Staniszewski
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Elisa Calcagno
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Zuccarello
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Luciano D’Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Shi-Xian Deng
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Jole Fiorito
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, 630 West 168th Street, P&S 12-420D, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Department of Life Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Northern Boulevard P.O. Box 8000, Theobald Science Center, room 425, Old Westbury, NY 11568 USA
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89
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Tuning of Glutamate, But Not GABA, Release by an Intrasynaptic Vesicle APP Domain Whose Function Can Be Modulated by β- or α-Secretase Cleavage. J Neurosci 2019; 39:6992-7005. [PMID: 31235642 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0207-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
APP, whose mutations cause familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), modulates neurotransmission via interaction of its cytoplasmic tail with the synaptic release machinery. Here we identified an intravesicular domain of APP, called intraluminal SV-APP interacting domain (ISVAID), which interacts with glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, synaptic vesicle proteins. ISVAID contains the β- and α-secretase cleavage sites of APP: proteomic analysis of the interactome of ISVAID suggests that β- and α-secretase cleavage of APP cuts inside the interaction domain of ISVAID and destabilizes protein-protein interactions. We have tested the functional significance of the ISVAID and of β-/α-secretase-processing of APP using various ISVAID-derived peptides in competition experiments on both female and male mouse and rats hippocampal slices. A peptide encompassing the entire ISVAID facilitated glutamate, but not GABA, release acting as dominant negative inhibitor of the functions of this APP domain in acute hippocampal slices. In contrast, peptides representing the product of β-/α-secretase-processing of ISVAID did not alter excitatory neurotransmitter release. These findings suggest that cleavage of APP by either β- or α-secretase may inactivate the ISVAID, thereby enhancing glutamate release. Our present data support the notion that APP tunes glutamate release, likely through intravesicular and extravesicular interactions with synaptic vesicle proteins and the neurotransmitter release machinery, and that β-/α cleavage of APP facilitates the release of excitatory neurotransmitter.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alzheimer's disease has been linked to mutations in APP. However, the biological function of APP is poorly understood. Here we show that an intravesicular APP domain interacts with the proteins that control the release of glutamate, but not GABA. Interfering with the function of this domain promotes glutamate release. This APP domain contains the sites cleaved by β- and α-secretases: our data suggest that β-/α cleavage of APP inactivates this functional APP domain promoting excitatory neurotransmitter release.
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90
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Early Electrophysiological Disintegration of Hippocampal Neural Networks in a Novel Locus Coeruleus Tau-Seeding Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:6981268. [PMID: 31285742 PMCID: PMC6594257 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6981268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of synapses and disrupted functional connectivity (FC) across different brain regions. Early in AD progression, tau pathology is found in the locus coeruleus (LC) prior to amyloid-induced exacerbation of clinical symptoms. Here, a tau-seeding model in which preformed synthetic tau fibrils (K18) were unilaterally injected into the LC of P301L mice, equipped with multichannel electrodes for recording EEG in frontal cortical and CA1-CA3 hippocampal areas, was used to longitudinally quantify over 20 weeks of functional network dynamics in (1) power spectra; (2) FC using intra- and intersite phase-amplitude theta-gamma coupling (PAC); (3) coherence, partial coherence, and global coherent network efficiency (Eglob) estimates; and (4) the directionality of functional connectivity using extended partial direct coherence (PDC). A sustained leftward shift in the theta peak frequency was found early in the power spectra of hippocampal CA1 networks ipsilateral to the injection site. Strikingly, hippocampal CA1 coherence and Eglob measures were impaired in K18-treated animals. Estimation of instantaneous EEG amplitudes revealed deficiency in the propagation directionality of gamma oscillations in the CA1 circuit. Impaired PAC strength evidenced by decreased modulation of the theta frequency phase on gamma frequency amplitude further confirms impairments of the neural CA1 network. The present results demonstrate early dysfunctional hippocampal networks, despite no spreading tau pathology to the hippocampus and frontal cortex. The ability of the K18 seed in the brainstem LC to elicit such robust functional alterations in distant hippocampal structures in the absence of pathology challenges the classic view that tau pathology spread to an area is necessary to elicit functional impairments in that area.
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91
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Clarke JR, Ribeiro FC, Frozza RL, De Felice FG, Lourenco MV. Metabolic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease: From Basic Neurobiology to Clinical Approaches. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 64:S405-S426. [PMID: 29562518 DOI: 10.3233/jad-179911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical trials have extensively failed to find effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) so far. Even after decades of AD research, there are still limited options for treating dementia. Mounting evidence has indicated that AD patients develop central and peripheral metabolic dysfunction, and the underpinnings of such events have recently begun to emerge. Basic and preclinical studies have unveiled key pathophysiological mechanisms that include aberrant brain stress signaling, inflammation, and impaired insulin sensitivity. These findings are in accordance with clinical and neuropathological data suggesting that AD patients undergo central and peripheral metabolic deregulation. Here, we review recent basic and clinical findings indicating that metabolic defects are central to AD pathophysiology. We further propose a view for future therapeutics that incorporates metabolic defects as a core feature of AD pathogenesis. This approach could improve disease understanding and therapy development through drug repurposing and/or identification of novel metabolic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Clarke
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe C Ribeiro
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rudimar L Frozza
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G De Felice
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Mychael V Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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92
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Tang BL. Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and GABAergic Neurotransmission. Cells 2019; 8:E550. [PMID: 31174368 PMCID: PMC6627941 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is the parent polypeptide from which amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, key etiological agents of Alzheimer's disease (AD), are generated by sequential proteolytic processing involving β- and γ-secretases. APP mutations underlie familial, early-onset AD, and the involvement of APP in AD pathology has been extensively studied. However, APP has important physiological roles in the mammalian brain, particularly its modulation of synaptic functions and neuronal survival. Recent works have now shown that APP could directly modulate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in two broad ways. Firstly, APP is shown to interact with and modulate the levels and activity of the neuron-specific Potassium-Chloride (K+-Cl-) cotransporter KCC2/SLC12A5. The latter is key to the maintenance of neuronal chloride (Cl-) levels and the GABA reversal potential (EGABA), and is therefore important for postsynaptic GABAergic inhibition through the ionotropic GABAA receptors. Secondly, APP binds to the sushi domain of metabotropic GABAB receptor 1a (GABABR1a). In this regard, APP complexes and is co-transported with GABAB receptor dimers bearing GABABR1a to the axonal presynaptic plasma membrane. On the other hand, secreted (s)APP generated by secretase cleavages could act as a GABABR1a-binding ligand that modulates presynaptic vesicle release. The discovery of these novel roles and activities of APP in GABAergic neurotransmission underlies the physiological importance of APP in postnatal brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Luen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
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93
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Franklin W, Krishnan B, Taglialatela G. Chronic synaptic insulin resistance after traumatic brain injury abolishes insulin protection from amyloid beta and tau oligomer-induced synaptic dysfunction. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8228. [PMID: 31160730 PMCID: PMC6546708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44635-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), although the mechanisms contributing to this increased risk are unknown. Insulin resistance is an additional risk factor for AD whereby decreased insulin signaling increases synaptic sensitivity to amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau. Considering this, we used rats that underwent a lateral fluid percussion injury at acute and chronic time-points to investigate whether decreased insulin responsiveness in TBI animals is playing a role in synaptic vulnerability to AD pathology. We detected acute and chronic decreases in insulin responsiveness in isolated hippocampal synaptosomes after TBI. In addition to assessing both Aβ and tau binding on synaptosomes, we performed electrophysiology to assess the dysfunctional impact of Aβ and tau oligomers as well as the protective effect of insulin. While we saw no difference in binding or degree of LTP inhibition by either Aβ or tau oligomers between sham and TBI animals, we found that insulin treatment was able to block oligomer-induced LTP inhibition in sham but not in TBI animals. Since insulin treatment has been discussed as a therapy for AD, this gives valuable insight into therapeutic implications of treating AD patients based on one's history of associated risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Franklin
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
| | - Balaji Krishnan
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
| | - Giulio Taglialatela
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA.
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Ondrejcak T, Hu NW, Qi Y, Klyubin I, Corbett GT, Fraser G, Perkinton MS, Walsh DM, Billinton A, Rowan MJ. Soluble tau aggregates inhibit synaptic long-term depression and amyloid β-facilitated LTD in vivo. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 127:582-590. [PMID: 30910746 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble synaptotoxic aggregates of the main pathological proteins of Alzheimer's disease, amyloid β-protein (Aß) and tau, have rapid and potent inhibitory effects on long-term potentiation (LTP). Although the promotion of synaptic weakening mechanisms, including long-term depression (LTD), is posited to mediate LTP inhibition by Aß, little is known regarding the action of exogenous tau on LTD. The present study examined the ability of different assemblies of full-length human tau to affect LTD in the dorsal hippocampus of the anaesthetized rat. Unlike Aß, intracerebroventricular injection of soluble aggregates of tau (SτAs), but not monomers or fibrils, potently increased the threshold for LTD induction in a manner that required cellular prion protein. However, MTEP, an antagonist of the putative prion protein coreceptor metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, did not prevent the disruption of synaptic plasticity by SτAs. In contrast, systemic treatment with Ro 25-6981, a selective antagonist at GluN2B subunit-containing NMDA receptors, reduced SτA-mediated inhibition of LTD, but not LTP. Intriguingly, SτAs completely blocked Aß-facilitated LTD, whereas a subthreshold dose of SτAs facilitated Aß-mediated inhibition of LTP. Overall, these findings support the importance of cellular prion protein in mediating a range of, sometimes opposing, actions of soluble Aß and tau aggregates with different effector mechanisms on synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Ondrejcak
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Neng-Wei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Zhengzhou University School of Medicine, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yingjie Qi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Igor Klyubin
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Grant T Corbett
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Graham Fraser
- Neuroscience, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | | | - Dominic M Walsh
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew Billinton
- Neuroscience, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Michael J Rowan
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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95
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Manchikalapudi AL, Chilakala RR, Kalia K, Sunkaria A. Evaluating the Role of Microglial Cells in Clearance of Aβ from Alzheimer's Brain. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1149-1156. [PMID: 30609357 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever increasing incidence of Alzheimer's diseases (AD) has been reported all over the globe, and practically no drug is currently available for its treatment. In the past 15 years, not a single drug came out of clinical trials. The researchers have yet to discover a drug that could specifically target AD; in fact, the drugs that are about to launch in the global market either belong to natural compounds or are already approved drugs targeting other diseases. So, we need to shift our focus on finding novel targets which are more specific and could either detect or inhibit the disease progression at a very early stage. Microglia are the only resident innate immune cells of the brain that are originated from erythromyeloid progenitors. They migrate to the brain during early embryonic development, although their number is less (∼5 to 10%), but they could act as guardians of the brain. It has been shown that the extracellular deposits of Aβ are continuously phagocytosed by microglia in healthy individuals, but this ability would decrease with age and lead to development of AD. In this review, we have explored the possibility of whether microglial cells could be utilized as an early predictor of the AD progression. Here, we discuss the innate immune response of microglial cells, the factors affecting microglia response, microglial receptors to which Aβ could bind, and microglial phenotype markers. Last, we conclude with a list of available AD therapeutics along with their mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajasekhar Reddy Chilakala
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Kiran Kalia
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Aditya Sunkaria
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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96
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De Chiara G, Piacentini R, Fabiani M, Mastrodonato A, Marcocci ME, Limongi D, Napoletani G, Protto V, Coluccio P, Celestino I, Li Puma DD, Grassi C, Palamara AT. Recurrent herpes simplex virus-1 infection induces hallmarks of neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits in mice. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007617. [PMID: 30870531 PMCID: PMC6417650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a DNA neurotropic virus, usually establishing latent infections in the trigeminal ganglia followed by periodic reactivations. Although numerous findings suggested potential links between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease (AD), a causal relation has not been demonstrated yet. Hence, we set up a model of recurrent HSV-1 infection in mice undergoing repeated cycles of viral reactivation. By virological and molecular analyses we found: i) HSV-1 spreading and replication in different brain regions after thermal stress-induced virus reactivations; ii) accumulation of AD hallmarks including amyloid-β protein, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuroinflammation markers (astrogliosis, IL-1β and IL-6). Remarkably, the progressive accumulation of AD molecular biomarkers in neocortex and hippocampus of HSV-1 infected mice, triggered by repeated virus reactivations, correlated with increasing cognitive deficits becoming irreversible after seven cycles of reactivation. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that mild and recurrent HSV-1 infections in the central nervous system produce an AD-like phenotype and suggest that they are a risk factor for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fabiani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Mastrodonato
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Dolores Limongi
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Napoletani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Protto
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Coluccio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
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97
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Leone L, Colussi C, Gironi K, Longo V, Fusco S, Li Puma DD, D'Ascenzo M, Grassi C. Altered Nup153 Expression Impairs the Function of Cultured Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells Isolated from a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:5934-5949. [PMID: 30689197 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1466-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD), playing a crucial role in cognitive dysfunction associated with this pathology. However, the mechanisms underlying defective neurogenesis in AD are still unclear. Recently, the nucleoporin Nup153 has been described as a new epigenetic determinant of adult neural stem cell (NSC) maintenance and fate. Here we investigated whether Nup153 dysfunction could affect the plasticity of NSCs in AD. Nup153 expression was strongly reduced in AD-NSCs, as well as its interaction with the transcription factor Sox2, a master regulator of NSC stemness and their neuronal differentiation. Similar Nup153 reduction was also observed in WT-NSCs treated with amyloid-β (Aβ) or stimulated with a nitric oxide donor. Accordingly, AD-NSCs treated with either a γ-secretase inhibitor or antioxidant compounds showed higher Nup153 levels suggesting that both nitrosative stress and Aβ accumulation affect Nup153 expression. Of note, restoration of Nup153 levels in AD-NSCs promoted their proliferation, as assessed by BrdU incorporation, neurosphere assay, and stemness gene expression analysis. Nup153 overexpression also recovered AD-NSC response to differentiation, increasing the expression of pro-neuronal genes, the percentage of cells positive for neuronal markers, and the acquisition of a more mature neuronal phenotype. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that neurons differentiated from Nup153-transfected AD-NSCs displayed higher Na+ current density, comparable to those deriving from WT-NSCs. Our data uncover a novel role for Nup153 in NSCs from animal model of AD and point to Nup153 as potential target to restore physiological NSC behavior and fate in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Leone
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Claudia Colussi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Katia Gironi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Valentina Longo
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Marcello D'Ascenzo
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
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98
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Bignante EA, Lorenzo A. APP signaling in Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 10:3063-3064. [PMID: 30425187 PMCID: PMC6286822 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Anahi Bignante
- Instituto de Investigación Médica "Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra", INIMEC-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Lorenzo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica "Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra", INIMEC-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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99
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Cellular Prion Protein Mediates the Disruption of Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity by Soluble Tau In Vivo. J Neurosci 2018; 38:10595-10606. [PMID: 30355631 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1700-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of tau protein are a neuropathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). For some time NFTs were considered the primary cause of synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death, however, more recent evidence suggests that soluble aggregates of tau are key drivers of disease. Here we investigated the effect of different tau species on synaptic plasticity in the male rat hippocampus in vivo Intracerebroventricular injection of soluble aggregates formed from either wild-type or P301S human recombinant tau potently inhibited hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) at CA3-to-CA1 synapses. In contrast, tau monomers and fibrils appeared inactive. Neither baseline synaptic transmission, paired-pulse facilitation nor burst response during high-frequency conditioning stimulation was affected by the soluble tau aggregates. Similarly, certain AD brain soluble extracts inhibited LTP in a tau-dependent manner that was abrogated by either immunodepletion with, or coinjection of, a mid-region anti-tau monoclonal antibody (mAb), Tau5. Importantly, this tau-mediated block of LTP was prevented by administration of mAbs selective for the prion protein (PrP). Specifically, mAbs to both the mid-region (6D11) and N-terminus (MI-0131) of PrP prevented inhibition of LTP by both recombinant and brain-derived tau. These findings indicate that PrP is a mediator of tau-induced synaptic dysfunction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Here we report that certain soluble forms of tau selectively disrupt synaptic plasticity in the live rat hippocampus. Further, we show that monoclonal antibodies to cellular prion protein abrogate the impairment of long-term potentiation caused both by recombinant and Alzheimer's disease brain-derived soluble tau. These findings support a critical role for cellular prion protein in the deleterious synaptic actions of extracellular soluble tau in tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. Thus, approaches targeting cellular prion protein, or downstream pathways, might provide an effective strategy for developing therapeutics.
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100
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A role for APP in Wnt signalling links synapse loss with β-amyloid production. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:179. [PMID: 30232325 PMCID: PMC6145937 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the canonical Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) is induced by β-amyloid (Aβ) and shifts the balance from canonical towards non-canonical Wnt signalling. Canonical (Wnt-β-catenin) signalling promotes synapse stability, while non-canonical (Wnt-PCP) signalling favours synapse retraction; thus Aβ-driven synapse loss is mediated by Dkk1. Here we show that the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) co-activates both arms of Wnt signalling through physical interactions with Wnt co-receptors LRP6 and Vangl2, to bi-directionally modulate synapse stability. Furthermore, activation of non-canonical Wnt signalling enhances Aβ production, while activation of canonical signalling suppresses Aβ production. Together, these findings identify a pathogenic-positive feedback loop in which Aβ induces Dkk1 expression, thereby activating non-canonical Wnt signalling to promote synapse loss and drive further Aβ production. The Swedish familial AD variant of APP (APPSwe) more readily co-activates non-canonical, at the expense of canonical Wnt activity, indicating that its pathogenicity likely involves direct effects on synapses, in addition to increased Aβ production. Finally, we report that pharmacological inhibition of the Aβ-Dkk1-Aβ positive feedback loop with the drug fasudil can restore the balance between Wnt pathways, prevent dendritic spine withdrawal in vitro, and reduce Aβ load in vivo in mice with advanced amyloid pathology. These results clarify a relationship between Aβ accumulation and synapse loss and provide direction for the development of potential disease-modifying treatments.
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