151
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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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152
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Chronic Sleep Disruption Advances the Temporal Progression of Tauopathy in P301S Mutant Mice. J Neurosci 2018; 38:10255-10270. [PMID: 30322903 PMCID: PMC6262148 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0275-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brainstem locus ceruleus neurons (LCn) are among the first neurons across the lifespan to evidence tau pathology, and LCn are implicated in tau propagation throughout the cortices. Yet, events influencing LCn tau are poorly understood. Activated persistently across wakefulness, LCn experience significant metabolic stress in response to chronic short sleep (CSS). Here we explored whether CSS influences LCn tau and the biochemical, neuroanatomical, and/or behavioral progression of tauopathy in male and female P301S mice. CSS in early adult life advanced the temporal progression of neurobehavioral impairments and resulted in a lasting increase in soluble tau oligomers. Intriguingly, CSS resulted in an early increase in AT8 and MC1 tau pathology in the LC. Over time tau pathology, including tangles, was evident in forebrain tau-vulnerable regions. Sustained microglial and astrocytic activation was observed as well. Remarkably, CSS resulted in significant loss of neurons in the two regions examined: the basolateral amygdala and LC. A second, distinct form of chronic sleep disruption, fragmentation of sleep, during early adult life also increased tau deposition and imparted early neurobehavioral impairment. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that early life sleep disruption has important lasting effects on the temporal progression in P301S mice, influencing tau pathology and hastening neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and neurobehavioral impairments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Chronic short sleep (CSS) is pervasive in modern society. Here, we found that early life CSS influences behavioral, biochemical, and neuroanatomic aspects of the temporal progression of tauopathy in a mouse model of the P301S tau mutation. Specifically, CSS hastened the onset of motor impairment and resulted in a greater loss of neurons in both the locus ceruleus and basolateral/lateral amygdala. Importantly, despite a protracted recovery opportunity after CSS, mice evidenced a sustained increase in pathogenic tau oligomers, and increased pathogenic tau in the locus ceruleus and limbic system nuclei. These findings unveil early life sleep habits as an important determinant in the progression of tauopathy.
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153
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Karikari TK, Nagel DA, Grainger A, Clarke-Bland C, Hill EJ, Moffat KG. Preparation of stable tau oligomers for cellular and biochemical studies. Anal Biochem 2018; 566:67-74. [PMID: 30315761 PMCID: PMC6331036 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that small oligomers are the principal neurotoxic species of tau in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. However, mechanisms of tau oligomer-mediated neurodegeneration are poorly understood. The transience of oligomers due to aggregation can compromise the stability of oligomers prepared in vitro. Consequently, we sought to develop an efficient method which maintains the stability and globular conformation of preformed oligomers. This study demonstrates that labeling a single-cysteine form of the pro-aggregant tau four-repeat region (K18) with either Alexa Fluor 488-C5-maleimide or N-ethylmaleimide in reducing conditions stabilizes oligomers by impeding their further aggregation. Furthermore, the use of this approach to study the propagation of labeled extracellular tau K18 oligomers into human neuroblastoma cells and human stem cell-derived neurons is described. This method is potentially applicable for preparing stabilized oligomers of tau for diagnostic and biomarker tests, as well as for in vitro structure-activity relationship assays. The transient nature of tau aggregation makes it difficult to maintain the stability of preformed oligomers. Efficient labeling of tau K18 with Alexa Fluor-488-C5-maleimide or N-ethyl maleimide stabilizes the resulting oligomers. Oligomers applied exogenously are propagated intracellularly by cultured human iPSC neurons and neuroblastoma cells. Oligomer preparation by maleimide labeling allows mechanistic studies of tau aggregation and its link to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas K Karikari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK; Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - David A Nagel
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alastair Grainger
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | | | - Eric J Hill
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Kevin G Moffat
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
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154
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Perea JR, Ávila J, Bolós M. Dephosphorylated rather than hyperphosphorylated Tau triggers a pro-inflammatory profile in microglia through the p38 MAPK pathway. Exp Neurol 2018; 310:14-21. [PMID: 30138606 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are a broad set of neurodegenerative dementias characterized by the aggregation of Tau protein. Activated microglia and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory molecules are also pathological hallmarks of tauopathies. In these diseases, intracellular Tau is secreted to the extracellular space, where it interacts with other cells, such as neurons and glia, promoting inflammation. However, the mechanism through which extracellular Tau triggers pro-inflammatory responses in microglia remains unknown. Primary microglia cultures were treated with extracellular Tau in its hyperphosphorylated, dephosphorylated or non-phosphorylated form. Protein cytokine arrays, real-time PCR, inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway, phosphatase assays, and quantification of proteins through immunoblotting were used to analyze the effect of extracellular Tau on the pro-inflammatory response of microglia. The main finding of this work is that extracellular non-phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms of Tau, rather than hyperphosphorylated Tau, activate the p38 MAPK pathway in microglia, thus triggering a pro-inflammatory response in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ramón Perea
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CBMSO, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CBMSO, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Bolós
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CBMSO, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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155
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Comerota MM, Tumurbaatar B, Krishnan B, Kayed R, Taglialatela G. Near Infrared Light Treatment Reduces Synaptic Levels of Toxic Tau Oligomers in Two Transgenic Mouse Models of Human Tauopathies. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3341-3355. [PMID: 30120733 PMCID: PMC6476871 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1248-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tau oligomers are emerging as a key contributor to the synaptic dysfunction that drives cognitive decline associated with the clinical manifestation and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Accordingly, there is ample consensus that interventions that target tau oligomers may slow or halt the progression of AD. With this ultimate goal in mind, in the present study, we investigated tau oligomer accumulation and its synaptic and behavioral consequences after an in vivo treatment with near infrared (NIR) light (600–1000 nm) in two transgenic mouse models, overexpressing human tau either alone (hTau mice) or in combination with amyloid beta (3xTgAD mice). We found that a 4-week exposure to NIR light (90 s/day/5 days a week) significantly reduced levels of endogenous total and oligomeric tau in both synaptosomes and total protein extracts from the hippocampus and cortex of hTau mice and improved deteriorating memory function. Similar results were observed in the 3xTgAD mice, which further displayed reduced synaptic Aβ after NIR light treatment. On the other hand, ex vivo binding of tau oligomers in isolated synaptosomes as well as tau oligomer-induced depression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal slices from NIR light-treated wt mice were unaffected. Finally, levels of proteins critically involved in two mechanisms associated with clearance of misfolded tau, inducible HSP70 and autophagy, were upregulated in NIR light treated mice. Collectively, these results show that NIR light decreases levels of endogenous toxic tau oligomers and alleviate associated memory deficits, thus furthering the development of NIR light as a possible therapeutic for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele M Comerota
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Batbayar Tumurbaatar
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Balaji Krishnan
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Giulio Taglialatela
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA.
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156
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Savelieff MG, Nam G, Kang J, Lee HJ, Lee M, Lim MH. Development of Multifunctional Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Last Decade. Chem Rev 2018; 119:1221-1322. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masha G. Savelieff
- SciGency Science Communications, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, United States
| | - Geewoo Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhye Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuck Jin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Misun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hee Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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157
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Hu NW, Corbett GT, Moore S, Klyubin I, O'Malley TT, Walsh DM, Livesey FJ, Rowan MJ. Extracellular Forms of Aβ and Tau from iPSC Models of Alzheimer's Disease Disrupt Synaptic Plasticity. Cell Rep 2018; 23:1932-1938. [PMID: 29768194 PMCID: PMC5972225 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The early stages of Alzheimer's disease are associated with synaptic dysfunction prior to overt loss of neurons. To identify extracellular molecules that impair synaptic plasticity in the brain, we studied the secretomes of human iPSC-derived neuronal models of Alzheimer's disease. When introduced into the rat brain, secretomes from human neurons with either a presenilin-1 mutation, amyloid precursor protein duplication, or trisomy of chromosome 21 all strongly inhibit hippocampal long-term potentiation. Synaptic dysfunction caused by presenilin-1 mutant and amyloid precusor protein duplication secretomes is mediated by Aβ peptides, whereas trisomy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) neuronal secretomes induce dysfunction through extracellular tau. In all cases, synaptotoxicity is relieved by antibody blockade of cellular prion protein. These data indicate that human models of Alzheimer's disease generate distinct proteins that converge at the level of cellular prion protein to induce synaptic dysfunction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng-Wei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Zhengzhou University School of Medicine, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Grant T Corbett
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Steven Moore
- Gurdon Institute and ARUK Stem Cell Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Igor Klyubin
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Tiernan T O'Malley
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dominic M Walsh
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- Gurdon Institute and ARUK Stem Cell Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK.
| | - Michael J Rowan
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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158
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Manassero G, Guglielmotto M, Monteleone D, Vasciaveo V, Butenko O, Tamagno E, Arancio O, Tabaton M. Dual Mechanism of Toxicity for Extracellular Injection of Tau Oligomers versus Monomers in Human Tau Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 59:743-751. [PMID: 28671129 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of tau toxicity is still unclear. Here we report that recombinant tau oligomers and monomers, intraventricularly injected in mice with a pure human tau background, foster tau pathology through different mechanisms. Oligomeric forms of tau alter the conformation of tau in a paired helical filament-like manner. This effect occurs without tau hyperphosphorylation as well as activation of specific kinases, suggesting that oligomers of tau induce tau assembly through a nucleation effect. Monomers, in turn, induce neurodegeneration through a calpain-mediated tau cleavage that leads to accumulation of a 17 kDa neurotoxic peptide and induction of apoptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Manassero
- Neuroscience Institute of Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), Unit of Geriatric Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,IRCS San Martino-IST, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Michela Guglielmotto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), Unit of Geriatric Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Debora Monteleone
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Vasciaveo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Olena Butenko
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Tamagno
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Massimo Tabaton
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), Unit of Geriatric Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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159
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Batista AF, Forny-Germano L, Clarke JR, Lyra E Silva NM, Brito-Moreira J, Boehnke SE, Winterborn A, Coe BC, Lablans A, Vital JF, Marques SA, Martinez AM, Gralle M, Holscher C, Klein WL, Houzel JC, Ferreira ST, Munoz DP, De Felice FG. The diabetes drug liraglutide reverses cognitive impairment in mice and attenuates insulin receptor and synaptic pathology in a non-human primate model of Alzheimer's disease. J Pathol 2018; 245:85-100. [PMID: 29435980 PMCID: PMC5947670 DOI: 10.1002/path.5056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder that still lacks an effective treatment, and this has stimulated an intense pursuit of disease-modifying therapeutics. Given the increasingly recognized link between AD and defective brain insulin signaling, we investigated the actions of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog marketed for treatment of type 2 diabetes, in experimental models of AD. Insulin receptor pathology is an important feature of AD brains that impairs the neuroprotective actions of central insulin signaling. Here, we show that liraglutide prevented the loss of brain insulin receptors and synapses, and reversed memory impairment induced by AD-linked amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) in mice. Using hippocampal neuronal cultures, we determined that the mechanism of neuroprotection by liraglutide involves activation of the PKA signaling pathway. Infusion of AβOs into the lateral cerebral ventricle of non-human primates (NHPs) led to marked loss of insulin receptors and synapses in brain regions related to memory. Systemic treatment of NHPs with liraglutide provided partial protection, decreasing AD-related insulin receptor, synaptic, and tau pathology in specific brain regions. Synapse damage and elimination are amongst the earliest known pathological changes and the best correlates of memory impairment in AD. The results illuminate mechanisms of neuroprotection by liraglutide, and indicate that GLP-1 receptor activation may be harnessed to protect brain insulin receptors and synapses in AD. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre F Batista
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leticia Forny-Germano
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Julia R Clarke
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natalia M Lyra E Silva
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jordano Brito-Moreira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susan E Boehnke
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Brian C Coe
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ann Lablans
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juliana F Vital
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suelen A Marques
- Departament of Neurobiology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Ana Mb Martinez
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matthias Gralle
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christian Holscher
- Division of Biomed and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - William L Klein
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Jean-Christophe Houzel
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sergio T Ferreira
- 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
| | - Douglas P Munoz
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - 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, Ontario, Canada
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160
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The Neurotoxic Role of Extracellular Tau Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19040998. [PMID: 29584657 PMCID: PMC5979432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19040998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases associated with the microtubule-associated protein tau, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the most prevalent related disorder. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are one of the neuropathological hallmarks present in the brains of AD patients. Because NFTs are aberrant intracellular inclusions formed by hyperphosphorylated tau, it was initially proposed that phosphorylated and/or aggregated intracellular tau protein was causative of neuronal death. However, recent studies suggest a toxic role for non-phosphorylated and non-aggregated tau when it is located in the brain extracellular space. In this work, we will discuss the neurotoxic role of extracellular tau as well its involvement in the spreading of tau pathologies.
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161
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AD-Related N-Terminal Truncated Tau Is Sufficient to Recapitulate In Vivo the Early Perturbations of Human Neuropathology: Implications for Immunotherapy. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:8124-8153. [PMID: 29508283 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The NH2tau 26-44 aa (i.e., NH2htau) is the minimal biologically active moiety of longer 20-22-kDa NH2-truncated form of human tau-a neurotoxic fragment mapping between 26 and 230 amino acids of full-length protein (htau40)-which is detectable in presynaptic terminals and peripheral CSF from patients suffering from AD and other non-AD neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, whether its exogenous administration in healthy nontransgenic mice is able to elicit a neuropathological phenotype resembling human tauopathies has not been yet investigated. We explored the in vivo effects evoked by subchronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of NH2htau or its reverse counterpart into two lines of young (2-month-old) wild-type mice (C57BL/6 and B6SJL). Six days after its accumulation into hippocampal parenchyma, significant impairment in memory/learning performance was detected in NH2htau-treated group in association with reduced synaptic connectivity and neuroinflammatory response. Compromised short-term plasticity in paired-pulse facilitation paradigm (PPF) was detected in the CA3/CA1 synapses from NH2htau-impaired animals along with downregulation in calcineurin (CaN)-stimulated pCREB/c-Fos pathway(s). Importantly, these behavioral, synaptotoxic, and neuropathological effects were independent from the genetic background, occurred prior to frank neuronal loss, and were specific because no alterations were detected in the control group infused with its reverse counterpart. Finally, a 2.0-kDa peptide which biochemically and immunologically resembles the injected NH2htau was endogenously detected in vivo, being present in hippocampal synaptosomal preparations from AD subjects. Given that the identification of the neurotoxic tau species is mandatory to develop a more effective tau-based immunological approach, our evidence can have important translational implications for cure of human tauopathies.
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162
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Tiernan CT, Mufson EJ, Kanaan NM, Counts SE. Tau Oligomer Pathology in Nucleus Basalis Neurons During the Progression of Alzheimer Disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2018; 77:246-259. [PMID: 29378005 PMCID: PMC6251641 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlx120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although tau is the primary constituent of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), evidence suggests that its toxic moiety is oligomeric in Alzheimer disease (AD). In this regard, tau oligomers correlate more strongly with neuronal loss than NFTs and exhibit neurotoxicity in preclinical AD models. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal progression of oligomeric tau accumulation within the highly vulnerable cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM) in AD. Tissue from subjects who died with a clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, or AD was immunostained with the tau oligomeric complex 1 (TOC1) antibody, a marker of tau oligomers, and p75NTR, a cholinergic cell marker. Stereological estimates revealed a significant increase in the number of TOC1 nbM immunopositive (+) neurons with a concomitant decrease in p75NTR+ nbM neurons during the transition from mild cognitive impairment to AD. Immunofluorescence identified TOC1+ neurons that colocalized with the pretangle tau marker phospho-Ser422, which persisted into late stage NFTs immunoreactive for MN423. Analysis of the nbM subfields revealed a topographical caudal to rostral gradient of TOC1+ neurons during disease progression. Taken together, these data suggest that toxic tau oligomers accumulate caudorostrally in selectively vulnerable nbM neurons during the onset of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine
- Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital, Hauenstein Neurosciences Center, Grand Rapids
| | - Scott E Counts
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine
- Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital, Hauenstein Neurosciences Center, Grand Rapids
- Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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163
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Tau Spreading Mechanisms; Implications for Dysfunctional Tauopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19030645. [PMID: 29495325 PMCID: PMC5877506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies comprise a group of progressive age-associated neurodegenerative diseases where tau protein deposits are found as the predominant pathological signature (primary tauopathies) or in combination with the presence of other toxic aggregates (secondary tauopathies). In recent years, emerging evidence suggests that abnormal tau accumulation is mediated through spreading of seeds of the protein from cell to cell, favouring the hypothesis of a prion-like transmission of tau to explain the propagation of the pathology. This would also support the concept that the pathology initiates in a very small part of the brain before becoming symptomatic and spreads across the brain over time. To date, many key questions still remain unclear, such as the nature of the tau species involved in the spreading, the precise seeding/template and uptaking mechanisms or the selectivity explaining why certain neurons are affected and some others are not. A better understanding of the tau spreading machinery will contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches focused on halting the abnormal propagation, offering also new perspectives for early diagnosis and preventive therapies. In this review, we will cover the most recent advances in tau spreading mechanisms as well as the implications of these findings for dysfunctional tauopathies.
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Biundo F, Del Prete D, Zhang H, Arancio O, D'Adamio L. A role for tau in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3184. [PMID: 29453339 PMCID: PMC5816660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders: mutations in the gene encoding for tau (MAPT) are linked to Fronto-temporal Dementia (FTD) and hyper-phosphorylated aggregates of tau forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that constitute a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and FTD. Accordingly, tau is a favored therapeutic target for the treatment of these diseases. Given the criticality of tau to dementia's pathogenesis and therapy, it is important to understand the physiological function of tau in the central nervous system. Analysis of Mapt knock out (Mapt-/-) mice has yielded inconsistent results. Some studies have shown that tau deletion does not alter memory while others have described synaptic plasticity and memory alterations in Mapt-/- mice. To help clarifying these contrasting results, we analyzed a distinct Mapt-/- model on a B6129PF3/J genetic background. We found that tau deletion leads to aging-dependent short-term memory deficits, hyperactivity and synaptic plasticity defects. In contrast, Mapt+/- mice only showed a mild short memory deficit in the novel object recognition task. Thus, while tau is important for normal neuronal functions underlying learning and memory, partial reduction of tau expression may have fractional deleterious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Biundo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Dolores Del Prete
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, 630 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, 630 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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Krishnan B, Kayed R, Taglialatela G. Elevated phospholipase D isoform 1 in Alzheimer's disease patients' hippocampus: Relevance to synaptic dysfunction and memory deficits. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2018; 4:89-102. [PMID: 29560412 PMCID: PMC5857521 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Phospholipase D (PLD), a lipolytic enzyme that breaks down membrane phospholipids, is also involved in signaling mechanisms downstream of seven transmembrane receptors. Abnormally elevated levels of PLD activity are well-established in Alzheimer's disease (AD), implicating the two isoforms of mammalian phosphatidylcholine cleaving PLD (PC-PLD1 and PC-PLD2). Therefore, we took a systematic approach of investigating isoform-specific expression in human synaptosomes and further investigated the possibility of therapeutic intervention using preclinical studies. Methods Synaptosomal Western blot analyses on the postmortem human hippocampus, temporal cortex, and frontal cortex of AD patient brains/age-matched controls and the 3XTg-AD mice hippocampus (mouse model with overexpression of human amyloid precursor protein, presenilin-1 gene, and microtubule-associated protein tau causing neuropathology progressing comparable to that in human AD patients) were used to detect the levels of neuronal PLD1 expression. Mouse hippocampal long-term potentiation of PLD1-dependent changes was studied using pharmacological approaches in ex vivo slice preparations from wild-type and transgenic mouse models. Finally, PLD1-dependent changes in novel object recognition memory were assessed following PLD1 inhibition. Results We observed elevated synaptosomal PLD1 in the hippocampus/temporal cortex from postmortem tissues of AD patients compared to age-matched controls and age-dependent hippocampal PLD1 increases in 3XTg-AD mice. PLD1 inhibition blocked effects of oligomeric amyloid β or toxic oligomeric tau species on high-frequency stimulation long-term potentiation and novel object recognition deficits in wild-type mice. Finally, PLD1 inhibition blocked long-term potentiation deficits normally observed in aging 3XTg-AD mice. Discussion Using human studies, we propose a novel role for PLD1-dependent signaling as a critical mechanism underlying oligomer-driven synaptic dysfunction and consequent memory disruption in AD. We, further, provide the first set of preclinical studies toward future therapeutics targeting PLD1 in slowing down/stopping the progression of AD-related memory deficits as a complementary approach to immunoscavenging clinical trials that are currently in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Krishnan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: 409 772 8069; Fax: 409 747 0015.
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Frozza RL, Lourenco MV, De Felice FG. Challenges for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy: Insights from Novel Mechanisms Beyond Memory Defects. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:37. [PMID: 29467605 PMCID: PMC5808215 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia in late life, will become even more prevalent by midcentury, constituting a major global health concern with huge implications for individuals and society. Despite scientific breakthroughs during the past decades that have expanded our knowledge on the cellular and molecular bases of AD, therapies that effectively halt disease progression are still lacking, and focused efforts are needed to address this public health challenge. Because AD is classically recognized as a disease of memory, studies have mainly focused on investigating memory-associated brain defects. However, compelling evidence has indicated that additional brain regions, not classically linked to memory, are also affected in the course of disease. In this review, we outline the current understanding of key pathophysiological mechanisms in AD and their clinical manifestation. We also highlight how considering the complex nature of AD pathogenesis, and exploring repurposed drug approaches can pave the road toward the development of novel therapeutics for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudimar L. Frozza
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mychael V. Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G. De Felice
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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167
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Tagge CA, Fisher AM, Minaeva OV, Gaudreau-Balderrama A, Moncaster JA, Zhang XL, Wojnarowicz MW, Casey N, Lu H, Kokiko-Cochran ON, Saman S, Ericsson M, Onos KD, Veksler R, Senatorov VV, Kondo A, Zhou XZ, Miry O, Vose LR, Gopaul KR, Upreti C, Nowinski CJ, Cantu RC, Alvarez VE, Hildebrandt AM, Franz ES, Konrad J, Hamilton JA, Hua N, Tripodis Y, Anderson AT, Howell GR, Kaufer D, Hall GF, Lu KP, Ransohoff RM, Cleveland RO, Kowall NW, Stein TD, Lamb BT, Huber BR, Moss WC, Friedman A, Stanton PK, McKee AC, Goldstein LE. Concussion, microvascular injury, and early tauopathy in young athletes after impact head injury and an impact concussion mouse model. Brain 2018; 141:422-458. [PMID: 29360998 PMCID: PMC5837414 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underpinning concussion, traumatic brain injury, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and the relationships between these disorders, are poorly understood. We examined post-mortem brains from teenage athletes in the acute-subacute period after mild closed-head impact injury and found astrocytosis, myelinated axonopathy, microvascular injury, perivascular neuroinflammation, and phosphorylated tau protein pathology. To investigate causal mechanisms, we developed a mouse model of lateral closed-head impact injury that uses momentum transfer to induce traumatic head acceleration. Unanaesthetized mice subjected to unilateral impact exhibited abrupt onset, transient course, and rapid resolution of a concussion-like syndrome characterized by altered arousal, contralateral hemiparesis, truncal ataxia, locomotor and balance impairments, and neurobehavioural deficits. Experimental impact injury was associated with axonopathy, blood-brain barrier disruption, astrocytosis, microgliosis (with activation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells, TREM2), monocyte infiltration, and phosphorylated tauopathy in cerebral cortex ipsilateral and subjacent to impact. Phosphorylated tauopathy was detected in ipsilateral axons by 24 h, bilateral axons and soma by 2 weeks, and distant cortex bilaterally at 5.5 months post-injury. Impact pathologies co-localized with serum albumin extravasation in the brain that was diagnostically detectable in living mice by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. These pathologies were also accompanied by early, persistent, and bilateral impairment in axonal conduction velocity in the hippocampus and defective long-term potentiation of synaptic neurotransmission in the medial prefrontal cortex, brain regions distant from acute brain injury. Surprisingly, acute neurobehavioural deficits at the time of injury did not correlate with blood-brain barrier disruption, microgliosis, neuroinflammation, phosphorylated tauopathy, or electrophysiological dysfunction. Furthermore, concussion-like deficits were observed after impact injury, but not after blast exposure under experimental conditions matched for head kinematics. Computational modelling showed that impact injury generated focal point loading on the head and seven-fold greater peak shear stress in the brain compared to blast exposure. Moreover, intracerebral shear stress peaked before onset of gross head motion. By comparison, blast induced distributed force loading on the head and diffuse, lower magnitude shear stress in the brain. We conclude that force loading mechanics at the time of injury shape acute neurobehavioural responses, structural brain damage, and neuropathological sequelae triggered by neurotrauma. These results indicate that closed-head impact injuries, independent of concussive signs, can induce traumatic brain injury as well as early pathologies and functional sequelae associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. These results also shed light on the origins of concussion and relationship to traumatic brain injury and its aftermath.awx350media15713427811001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A Tagge
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Andrew M Fisher
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Olga V Minaeva
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Amanda Gaudreau-Balderrama
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Juliet A Moncaster
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Xiao-Lei Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Mark W Wojnarowicz
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Noel Casey
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- The Center for Biometals and Metallomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Haiyan Lu
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Olga N Kokiko-Cochran
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Sudad Saman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Maria Ericsson
- Electron Microscope Facility, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Ronel Veksler
- Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Vladimir V Senatorov
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Asami Kondo
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Xiao Z Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Omid Miry
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Linnea R Vose
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Katisha R Gopaul
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Chirag Upreti
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Christopher J Nowinski
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Robert C Cantu
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA 01742, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | | | - Erich S Franz
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Janusz Konrad
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Ning Hua
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | | | | | - Daniela Kaufer
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Garth F Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Kun P Lu
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Richard M Ransohoff
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Robin O Cleveland
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Bruce T Lamb
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - William C Moss
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Alon Friedman
- Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Brain Repair Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Patric K Stanton
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Lee E Goldstein
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- The Center for Biometals and Metallomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, CTE Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Kuznetsov IA, Kuznetsov AV. How the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles may be related: a mathematical modelling study. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2018; 474:20170777. [PMID: 29507520 PMCID: PMC5832841 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2017.0777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We develop a mathematical model that enables us to investigate possible mechanisms by which two primary markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD), extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular tangles, may be related. Our model investigates the possibility that the decay of anterograde axonal transport of amyloid precursor protein (APP), caused by toxic tau aggregates, leads to decreased APP transport towards the synapse and APP accumulation in the soma. The developed model thus couples three processes: (i) slow axonal transport of tau, (ii) tau misfolding and agglomeration, which we simulated by using the Finke-Watzky model and (iii) fast axonal transport of APP. Because the timescale for tau agglomeration is much larger than that for tau transport, we suggest using the quasi-steady-state approximation for formulating and solving the governing equations for these three processes. Our results suggest that misfolded tau most likely accumulates in the beginning of the axon. The analysis of APP transport suggests that APP will also likely accumulate in the beginning of the axon, causing an increased APP concentration in this region, which could be interpreted as a 'traffic jam'. The APP flux towards the synapse is significantly reduced by tau misfolding, but not due to the APP traffic jam, which can be viewed as a symptom, but rather due to the reduced affinity of kinesin-1 motors to APP-transporting vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. A. Kuznetsov
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - A. V. Kuznetsov
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695–7910, USA
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169
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Dunkelmann T, Teichmann K, Ziehm T, Schemmert S, Frenzel D, Tusche M, Dammers C, Jürgens D, Langen KJ, Demuth HU, Shah NJ, Kutzsche J, Willuweit A, Willbold D. Aβ oligomer eliminating compounds interfere successfully with pEAβ(3-42) induced motor neurodegenerative phenotype in transgenic mice. Neuropeptides 2018; 67:27-35. [PMID: 29273382 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Currently, there are no causative or disease modifying treatments available for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, it has been shown that D3, a small, fully d-enantiomeric peptide is able to eliminate low molecular weight Aβ oligomers in vitro, enhance cognition and reduce plaque load in AD transgenic mice. To further characterise the therapeutic potential of D3 towards N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamated Aβ (pEAβ(3-42)) we tested D3 and its head-to-tail tandem derivative D3D3 both in vitro and in vivo in the new mouse model TBA2.1. These mice produce human pEAβ(3-42) leading to a strong, early onset motor neurodegenerative phenotype. In the present study, we were able to demonstrate 1) strong binding affinity of both D3 and D3D3 to pEAβ(3-42) in comparison to Aβ(1-42) and 2) increased affinity of the tandem derivative D3D3 in comparison to D3. Subsequently we tested the therapeutic potentials of both peptides in the TBA2.1 animal model. Truly therapeutic, non-preventive treatment with D3 and D3D3 clearly slowed the progression of the neurodegenerative TBA2.1 phenotype, indicating the strong therapeutic potential of both peptides against pEAβ(3-42) induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Dunkelmann
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Teichmann
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Tamar Ziehm
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Sarah Schemmert
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Daniel Frenzel
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Markus Tusche
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Christina Dammers
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Dagmar Jürgens
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-4), Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Fraunhofer-Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation (MWT), Biozentrum, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Nadim Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-4), Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, JARA, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering and Monash Biomedical Imaging, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-4), Medical Imaging Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Complex Systems, Structural Biochemistry (ICS-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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170
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Jurado S. AMPA Receptor Trafficking in Natural and Pathological Aging. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 10:446. [PMID: 29375307 PMCID: PMC5767248 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) enable most excitatory transmission in the brain and are crucial for mediating basal synaptic strength and plasticity. Because of the importance of their function, AMPAR dynamics, activity and subunit composition undergo a tight regulation which begins as early as prenatal development and continues through adulthood. Accumulating evidence suggests that the precise regulatory mechanisms involved in orchestrating AMPAR trafficking are challenged in the aging brain. In turn dysregulation of AMPARs can be linked to most neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding the mechanisms that govern AMPAR signaling during natural and pathological cognitive decline will guide the efforts to develop most effective ways to tackle neurodegenerative diseases which are one of the primary burdens afflicting an increasingly aging population. In this review, I provide a brief overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in AMPAR trafficking highlighting what is currently known about how these processes change with age and disease. As a particularly well-studied example of AMPAR dysfunction in pathological aging I focus in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with special emphasis in how the production of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid-β plaques may contribute to disruption in AMPAR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Jurado
- Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC-UMH, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
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171
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Tau Proteins and Tauopathies in Alzheimer’s Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2018; 38:965-980. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-017-0574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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172
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Gulisano W, Maugeri D, Baltrons MA, Fà M, Amato A, Palmeri A, D’Adamio L, Grassi C, Devanand D, Honig LS, Puzzo D, Arancio O. Role of Amyloid-β and Tau Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease: Confuting the Amyloid Cascade. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:S611-S631. [PMID: 29865055 PMCID: PMC8371153 DOI: 10.3233/jad-179935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The "Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis" has dominated the Alzheimer's disease (AD) field in the last 25 years. It posits that the increase of amyloid-β (Aβ) is the key event in AD that triggers tau pathology followed by neuronal death and eventually, the disease. However, therapeutic approaches aimed at decreasing Aβ levels have so far failed, and tau-based clinical trials have not yet produced positive findings. This begs the question of whether the hypothesis is correct. Here we have examined literature on the role of Aβ and tau in synaptic dysfunction, memory loss, and seeding and spreading of AD, highlighting important parallelisms between the two proteins in all of these phenomena. We discuss novel findings showing binding of both Aβ and tau oligomers to amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), and the requirement for the presence of this protein for both Aβ and tau to enter neurons and induce abnormal synaptic function and memory. Most importantly, we propose a novel view of AD pathogenesis in which extracellular oligomers of Aβ and tau act in parallel and upstream of AβPP. Such a view will call for a reconsideration of therapeutic approaches directed against Aβ and tau, paving the way to an increased interest toward AβPP, both for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and elaborating new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Maugeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marian A. Baltrons
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mauro Fà
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arianna Amato
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luciano D’Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - D.P. Devanand
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence S. Honig
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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173
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Ishikawa M, Yoshitomi T, Covey DF, Zorumski CF, Izumi Y. Neurosteroids and oxysterols as potential therapeutic agents for glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 8:344-359. [PMID: 30774720 DOI: 10.4172/neuropsychiatry.1000356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the most frequent causes of visual impairment worldwide and involves selective damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) resulting in degeneration of neural pathways connecting retina to visual cortex. It is of interest that similarities in pathological changes have been described in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of progressive memory loss and dementia in older people. Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) and hyperphosphorylated tau is thought to contribute to apoptotic neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease, and similar changes have been linked to apoptotic RGC death in glaucoma. Both glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease also suffer from a lack of effective treatments prompting a search for novel therapeutic interventions. Neurosteroids (NSs) (including oxysterols) are endogenous molecules synthesized in the nervous system from cholesterol that can modulate glutamate and GABA receptors, the primary mediators of fast excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain, respectively. Because changes in the glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems contribute to the pathogenesis of AD and glaucoma, NSs are possible therapeutic targets for these disorders. In this review, we present recent evidence supporting pathological links between Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma, and focus on the possible role of NSs in these diseases and how NSs might be developed for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Ishikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yoshitomi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Developmental Biology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.,Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.,Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, M.O, USA
| | - Yukitoshi Izumi
- Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.,Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, M.O, USA
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174
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Sengupta U, Carretero-Murillo M, Kayed R. Preparation and Characterization of Tau Oligomer Strains. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1779:113-146. [PMID: 29886531 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7816-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the existence of multiple conformational entities of tau, as have been observed for prion protein. We have developed and optimized techniques to isolate and study oligomeric tau strains both in vitro and ex vivo. Moreover, we have modified protocols that demonstrate the seeding properties of oligomeric tau strains that are capable of propagating in vivo. These methods and protocols are explained in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mariana Carretero-Murillo
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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175
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Argyrousi EK, Staniszewski A, Nicholls RE, Arancio O. Preparation of Tau Oligomers After the Protein Extraction from Bacteria and Brain Cortices. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1779:85-97. [PMID: 29886529 PMCID: PMC8375413 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7816-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Oligomerization of soluble tau protein is attracting the attention of an increasingly larger number of scientists involved in research on Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. A variety of methods have been developed for the purification of proteins from biological tissues and bacterial cells. Various types of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and affinity tags represent the most common techniques for isolating proteins. Here, we describe a procedure for extracting recombinant tau protein from bacterial cells, utilizing a 6×His affinity tag, or endogenous tau from brain cortices using acid extraction followed by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). Additionally, we introduce a method for oligomerization based on reduction and oxidation of cysteine residues. Our preparation assures high yield of tau protein, while preserving its physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elentina K Argyrousi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Agnieszka Staniszewski
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Russell E Nicholls
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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176
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Polanco JC, Li C, Bodea LG, Martinez-Marmol R, Meunier FA, Götz J. Amyloid-β and tau complexity — towards improved biomarkers and targeted therapies. Nat Rev Neurol 2017; 14:22-39. [DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2017.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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177
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Yamada K. Extracellular Tau and Its Potential Role in the Propagation of Tau Pathology. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:667. [PMID: 29238289 PMCID: PMC5712583 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathological aggregation of tau protein is a hallmark of a set of neurodegenerative diseases collectively referred to as tauopathies. Tau aggregates independently in each neuron, but this aggregation can also occur in a non-cell autonomous manner in which aggregated tau is transmitted from one cell to another. Such trans-cellular propagation is initiated by the uptake of extracellular tau, which then seeds soluble tau in the recipient cells to spread the tau pathology. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that tau is not only present in the cytoplasm of neurons but also actively released into the extracellular space. This finding has led to the idea that extracellular tau could be a novel therapeutic target to halt the propagation of tau pathology. From this perspective, the present review article focuses on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms regulating the levels of extracellular tau and discusses the role of such mechanisms in the propagation of tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Yamada
- Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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178
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Near infrared light decreases synaptic vulnerability to amyloid beta oligomers. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15012. [PMID: 29118388 PMCID: PMC5678170 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15357-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction due to the disrupting binding of amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau oligomers is one of the earliest impairments in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), driving initial cognitive deficits and clinical manifestation. Consequently, there is ample consensus that preventing early synaptic dysfunction would be an effective therapeutic strategy for AD. With this goal in mind, we investigated the effect of a treatment of mice with near infrared (NIR) light on synaptic vulnerability to Aβ oligomers. We found that Aβ oligomer binding to CNS synaptosomes isolated from wild type (wt) mice treated with NIR light was significantly reduced and the resulting suppression of long term potentiation (LTP) by Aβ oligomers was prevented. Similarly, APP transgenic mice treated with NIR showed a significant reduction of endogenous Aβ at CNS synapses. We further found that these phenomena were accompanied by increased synaptic mitochondrial membrane potential in both wt and Tg2576 mice. This study provides evidence that NIR light can effectively reduce synaptic vulnerability to damaging Aβ oligomers, thus furthering NIR light therapy as a viable treatment for AD.
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179
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Kneynsberg A, Combs B, Christensen K, Morfini G, Kanaan NM. Axonal Degeneration in Tauopathies: Disease Relevance and Underlying Mechanisms. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:572. [PMID: 29089864 PMCID: PMC5651019 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a diverse group of diseases featuring progressive dying-back neurodegeneration of specific neuronal populations in association with accumulation of abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau. It is well-established that the clinical symptoms characteristic of tauopathies correlate with deficits in synaptic function and neuritic connectivity early in the course of disease, but mechanisms underlying these critical pathogenic events are not fully understood. Biochemical in vitro evidence fueled the widespread notion that microtubule stabilization represents tau's primary biological role and that the marked atrophy of neurites observed in tauopathies results from loss of microtubule stability. However, this notion contrasts with the mild phenotype associated with tau deletion. Instead, an analysis of cellular hallmarks common to different tauopathies, including aberrant patterns of protein phosphorylation and early degeneration of axons, suggests that alterations in kinase-based signaling pathways and deficits in axonal transport (AT) associated with such alterations contribute to the loss of neuronal connectivity triggered by pathogenic forms of tau. Here, we review a body of literature providing evidence that axonal pathology represents an early and common pathogenic event among human tauopathies. Observations of axonal degeneration in animal models of specific tauopathies are discussed and similarities to human disease highlighted. Finally, we discuss potential mechanistic pathways other than microtubule destabilization by which disease-related forms of tau may promote axonopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kneynsberg
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Kyle Christensen
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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180
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Rane JS, Bhaumik P, Panda D. Curcumin Inhibits Tau Aggregation and Disintegrates Preformed Tau Filaments in vitro. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 60:999-1014. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-170351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Subhash Rane
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Prasenjit Bhaumik
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Dulal Panda
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
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181
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Nizynski B, Dzwolak W, Nieznanski K. Amyloidogenesis of Tau protein. Protein Sci 2017; 26:2126-2150. [PMID: 28833749 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The role of microtubule-associated protein Tau in neurodegeneration has been extensively investigated since the discovery of Tau amyloid aggregates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The process of formation of amyloid fibrils is known as amyloidogenesis and attracts much attention as a potential target in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions linked to protein aggregation. Cerebral deposition of amyloid aggregates of Tau is observed not only in AD but also in numerous other tauopathies and prion diseases. Amyloidogenesis of intrinsically unstructured monomers of Tau can be triggered by mutations in the Tau gene, post-translational modifications, or interactions with polyanionic molecules and aggregation-prone proteins/peptides. The self-assembly of amyloid fibrils of Tau shares a number of characteristic features with amyloidogenesis of other proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. For example, in vitro experiments have demonstrated that the nucleation phase, which is the rate-limiting stage of Tau amyloidogenesis, is shortened in the presence of fragmented preformed Tau fibrils acting as aggregation templates ("seeds"). Accordingly, Tau aggregates released by tauopathy-affected neurons can spread the neurodegenerative process in the brain through a prion-like mechanism, originally described for the pathogenic form of prion protein. Moreover, Tau has been shown to form amyloid strains-structurally diverse self-propagating aggregates of potentially various pathological effects, resembling in this respect prion strains. Here, we review the current literature on Tau aggregation and discuss mechanisms of propagation of Tau amyloid in the light of the prion-like paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Nizynski
- College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, 2C Banacha Str, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland.,Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 1 Pasteur Str, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Wojciech Dzwolak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 1 Pasteur Str, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Nieznanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Str, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
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182
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Florenzano F, Veronica C, Ciasca G, Ciotti MT, Pittaluga A, Olivero G, Feligioni M, Iannuzzi F, Latina V, Maria Sciacca MF, Sinopoli A, Milardi D, Pappalardo G, Marco DS, Papi M, Atlante A, Bobba A, Borreca A, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Extracellular truncated tau causes early presynaptic dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Oncotarget 2017; 8:64745-64778. [PMID: 29029390 PMCID: PMC5630290 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The largest part of tau secreted from AD nerve terminals and released in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is C-terminally truncated, soluble and unaggregated supporting potential extracellular role(s) of NH2 -derived fragments of protein on synaptic dysfunction underlying neurodegenerative tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we show that sub-toxic doses of extracellular-applied human NH2 tau 26-44 (aka NH 2 htau) -which is the minimal active moiety of neurotoxic 20-22kDa peptide accumulating in vivo at AD synapses and secreted into parenchyma- acutely provokes presynaptic deficit in K+ -evoked glutamate release on hippocampal synaptosomes along with alteration in local Ca2+ dynamics. Neuritic dystrophy, microtubules breakdown, deregulation in presynaptic proteins and loss of mitochondria located at nerve endings are detected in hippocampal cultures only after prolonged exposure to NH 2 htau. The specificity of these biological effects is supported by the lack of any significant change, either on neuronal activity or on cellular integrity, shown by administration of its reverse sequence counterpart which behaves as an inactive control, likely due to a poor conformational flexibility which makes it unable to dynamically perturb biomembrane-like environments. Our results demonstrate that one of the AD-relevant, soluble and secreted N-terminally truncated tau forms can early contribute to pathology outside of neurons causing alterations in synaptic activity at presynaptic level, independently of overt neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Institute of Physics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo F Vito 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Ciotti
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neuroscience, CNR, IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Pittaluga
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Viale Cembrano, Italy
| | - Gunedalina Olivero
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Viale Cembrano, Italy
| | - Marco Feligioni
- European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Danilo Milardi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Catania, Italy
| | | | - De Spirito Marco
- Institute of Physics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo F Vito 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Institute of Physics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo F Vito 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics, CNR, Bari, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, Italy
| | - Antonella Bobba
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics, CNR, Bari, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, Italy
| | - Antonella Borreca
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neuroscience, CNR, IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
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183
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Kimura T, Suzuki M, Akagi T. Age-dependent changes in synaptic plasticity enhance tau oligomerization in the mouse hippocampus. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:67. [PMID: 28874186 PMCID: PMC5586024 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0469-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The aggregation mechanism of phosphorylated tau is an important therapeutic target for tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease, although the mechanism by which aggregation occurs is still unknown. Because the phosphorylation process of tau is involved in the trafficking of AMPA receptors, which accompanies the long-term depression (LTD) of synapses, we examined the effect of LTD-inducing low-frequency stimulation (LFS) on the formation of pathological tau aggregates in adult and aged wild-type mice. Our biochemical analysis demonstrated that LFS led to the formation of sarkosyl-insoluble (SI) tau oligomers in aged hippocampi but not in adult hippocampi in wild-type mice. In parallel, electrophysiological experiments showed an increased contribution of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) to LTD during aging, although the other properties of LFS-induced LTD that we investigated were not altered. Thus, we anticipate that the increased contribution of the ALP to the LTD cascade is involved in the age-dependent formation of tau oligomers that results from LFS. Analysis of the LC3 ratio, an indicator of autophagosome formation, showed that LFS increased cleaved LC3 (type II) in the aged hippocampus relative to type I LC3, suggesting potentiation of the ALP accompanied by LTD. Pharmacological inhibition of autophagosome formation depressed LFS-induced oligomerization of tau. Prevention of lysosomal function in the ALP enhanced the formation of tau oligomers by LFS. These results suggest the importance of the autophagosome for the LFS-induced oligomerization of tau and suggest a reason for its age dependency. Interestingly, the lysosomal disturbance promoted the formation of the fibrillar form of aggregates consisting of hyper-phosphorylated tau. The LTD-ALP cascade potentially acts as one of the suppliers of pathological aggregates of tau in aged neurons.
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184
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Abolishing Tau cleavage by caspases at Aspartate 421 causes memory/synaptic plasticity deficits and pre-pathological Tau alterations. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1198. [PMID: 28786980 PMCID: PMC5611732 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
TAU mutations are genetically linked to fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) and hyper-phosphorylated aggregates of Tau form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that constitute a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and FTD. These observations indicate that Tau has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Tau is cleaved by caspases at Aspartate421, to form a Tau metabolite known as δTau; δTau is increased in AD, due to the hyper-activation of caspases in AD brains. δTau is considered a critical toxic moiety underlying neurodegeneration, which initiates and facilitates NFT formation. As Tau is a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration, it is important to rigorously determine whether δTau is a toxic Tau species that should be pharmacologically attacked. To directly address these questions, we have generated a knock-in (KI) mouse called TauDN-that expresses a Tau mutant that cannot be cleaved by caspases. TauDN mice present short-term memory deficits and synaptic plasticity defects. Moreover, mice carrying two mutant Tau alleles show increased total insoluble hyper-phosphorylated Tau in the forebrain. These data are in contrast with the concept that δTau is a critical toxic moiety underlying neurodegeneration, and suggest that cleavage of Tau by caspases represents a negative feedback mechanism aimed to eliminate toxic Tau species. Alternatively, it is possible that either a reduction or an increase in δTau leads to synaptic dysfunction, memory impairments and Tau pathology. Both possibilities will have to be considered when targeting caspase cleavage of Tau in AD therapy.
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185
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Piacentini R, Puma DDL, Mainardi M, Lazzarino G, Tavazzi B, Arancio O, Grassi C. Reduced gliotransmitter release from astrocytes mediates tau-induced synaptic dysfunction in cultured hippocampal neurons. Glia 2017; 65:1302-1316. [PMID: 28519902 PMCID: PMC5520670 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein exerting several physiological functions in neurons. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) misfolded tau accumulates intraneuronally and leads to axonal degeneration. However, tau has also been found in the extracellular medium. Recent studies indicated that extracellular tau uploaded from neurons causes synaptic dysfunction and contributes to tau pathology propagation. Here we report novel evidence that extracellular tau oligomers are abundantly and rapidly accumulated in astrocytes where they disrupt intracellular Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+ -dependent release of gliotransmitters, especially ATP. Consequently, synaptic vesicle release, the expression of pre- and postsynaptic proteins, and mEPSC frequency and amplitude were reduced in neighboring neurons. Notably, we found that tau uploading from astrocytes required the amyloid precursor protein, APP. Collectively, our findings suggests that astrocytes play a critical role in the synaptotoxic effects of tau via reduced gliotransmitter availability, and that astrocytes are major determinants of tau pathology in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Mainardi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Lazzarino
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, 630 W 168th St., NY 10032 USA
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
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186
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Puzzo D, Piacentini R, Fá M, Gulisano W, Li Puma DD, Staniszewski A, Zhang H, Tropea MR, Cocco S, Palmeri A, Fraser P, D'Adamio L, Grassi C, Arancio O. LTP and memory impairment caused by extracellular Aβ and Tau oligomers is APP-dependent. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28696204 PMCID: PMC5529106 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The concurrent application of subtoxic doses of soluble oligomeric forms of human amyloid-beta (oAβ) and Tau (oTau) proteins impairs memory and its electrophysiological surrogate long-term potentiation (LTP), effects that may be mediated by intra-neuronal oligomers uptake. Intrigued by these findings, we investigated whether oAβ and oTau share a common mechanism when they impair memory and LTP in mice. We found that as already shown for oAβ, also oTau can bind to amyloid precursor protein (APP). Moreover, efficient intra-neuronal uptake of oAβ and oTau requires expression of APP. Finally, the toxic effect of both extracellular oAβ and oTau on memory and LTP is dependent upon APP since APP-KO mice were resistant to oAβ- and oTau-induced defects in spatial/associative memory and LTP. Thus, APP might serve as a common therapeutic target against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and a host of other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by abnormal levels of Aβ and/or Tau. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26991.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Fá
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnes Staniszewski
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paul Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New york, United States
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187
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Kaniyappan S, Chandupatla RR, Mandelkow EM, Mandelkow E. Extracellular low-n oligomers of tau cause selective synaptotoxicity without affecting cell viability. Alzheimers Dement 2017; 13:1270-1291. [PMID: 28528849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tau-mediated toxicity in Alzheimer's disease is thought to operate through low-n oligomers, rather than filamentous aggregates. However, the nature of oligomers and pathways of toxicity are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated structural and functional aspects of highly purified oligomers of a pro-aggregant tau species. METHODS Purified oligomers of the tau repeat domain were characterized by biophysical and structural methods. Functional aspects were investigated by cellular assays ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay of cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase release assay [for cell toxicity], reactive oxygen species production, and calcium assay), combined with analysis of neuronal dendritic spines exposed to oligomers. RESULTS Purified low-n oligomers are roughly globular, with sizes around 1.6 to 5.4 nm, exhibit an altered conformation, but do not have substantial β-structure. Treatment of primary neurons with oligomers impairs spine morphology and density, accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium, but without affecting cell viability (by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay of cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase release assay [for cell toxicity]). DISCUSSION Tau oligomers are toxic to synapses but not lethal to cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilvelrajan Kaniyappan
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; MPI for Metabolism Research, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Ram Reddy Chandupatla
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; MPI for Metabolism Research, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; MPI for Metabolism Research, Hamburg, Germany; CAESAR Research Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany; MPI for Metabolism Research, Hamburg, Germany; CAESAR Research Center, Bonn, Germany.
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188
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Yang Q, Song D, Qing H. Neural changes in Alzheimer's disease from circuit to molecule: Perspective of optogenetics. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 79:110-118. [PMID: 28522119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), as a crucial neurodegenerative disorder, affects neural activities at many levels. Synaptic plasticity and neural circuits are most susceptible in AD, but the detailed mechanism is unclear. Optogenetic tools provide unprecedented spatio-temporal specificity to stimulate specific neural circuits or synaptic molecules to reveal the precise function of normal brain and mechanism of deficits in AD models. Furthermore, using optogenetics to stimulate neurons can rescue learning and memory loss caused by AD. It also has possibility to use light to control the Neurotransmitter receptors and their downstream signal pathway. These technical methods have broad therapeutic application prospect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghu Yang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Da Song
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Hong Qing
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China.
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189
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Ripoli C. Engrampigenetics: Epigenetics of engram memory cells. Behav Brain Res 2017; 325:297-302. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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190
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Vargas-Caballero M, Denk F, Wobst HJ, Arch E, Pegasiou CM, Oliver PL, Shipton OA, Paulsen O, Wade-Martins R. Wild-Type, but Not Mutant N296H, Human Tau Restores Aβ-Mediated Inhibition of LTP in Tau-/- mice. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:201. [PMID: 28484365 PMCID: PMC5401872 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and many forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We recently reported that Aβ-mediated inhibition of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in mice requires tau. Here, we asked whether expression of human MAPT can restore Aβ-mediated inhibition on a mouse Tau−/− background and whether human tau with an FTD-causing mutation (N296H) can interfere with Aβ-mediated inhibition of LTP. We used transgenic mouse lines each expressing the full human MAPT locus using bacterial artificial chromosome technology. These lines expressed all six human tau protein isoforms on a Tau−/− background. We found that the human wild-type MAPT H1 locus was able to restore Aβ42-mediated impairment of LTP. In contrast, Aβ42 did not reduce LTP in slices in two independently generated transgenic lines expressing tau protein with the mutation N296H associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Basal phosphorylation of tau measured as the ratio of AT8/Tau5 immunoreactivity was significantly reduced in N296H mutant hippocampal slices. Our data show that human MAPT is able to restore Aβ42-mediated inhibition of LTP in Tau−/− mice. These results provide further evidence that tau protein is central to Aβ-induced LTP impairment and provide a valuable tool for further analysis of the links between Aβ, human tau and impairment of synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franziska Denk
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of OxfordOxford, UK.,Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Heike J Wobst
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of OxfordOxford, UK.,AstraZeneca-Tufts Lab for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Tufts University School of MedicineBoston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Arch
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - Chrysia-Maria Pegasiou
- Biological Sciences and Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthampton, UK
| | - Peter L Oliver
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - Olivia A Shipton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of OxfordOxford, UK.,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of CambridgeCambridge, UK
| | - Ole Paulsen
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of CambridgeCambridge, UK
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191
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Bakota L, Ussif A, Jeserich G, Brandt R. Systemic and network functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau: Implications for tau-based therapies. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 84:132-141. [PMID: 28318914 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated neuronal protein, whose primary role was long thought to regulate axonal microtubule assembly. Tau is subject to many posttranslational modifications and can aggregate into neurofibrillary tangles, which are considered to be a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases collectively called "tauopathies". The most common tauopathy is Alzheimer's disease, where tau pathology correlates with sites of neurodegeneration. Tau belongs to the class of intrinsically disordered proteins, which are known to interact with many partners and are considered to be involved in various signaling, regulation and recognition processes. Thus more recent evidence indicates that tau functionally interacts with many proteins and different cellular structures, which may have an important physiological role and may be involved in neurodegenerative processes. Furthermore, tau can be released from neurons and exert functional effects on other cells. This review article weighs the evidence that tau has subtle but important systemic effects on neuronal network function by maintaining physiological neuronal transmission and synaptic plasticity, which are possibly independent from tau's microtubule modulating activities. Implications for tau-based therapeutic approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Bakota
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Abdala Ussif
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Gunnar Jeserich
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Roland Brandt
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany.
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192
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Criscuolo C, Fabiani C, Cerri E, Domenici L. Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Glaucoma: From Common Degenerative Mechanisms Toward Neuroprotection. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:53. [PMID: 28289378 PMCID: PMC5326746 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and glaucoma are two distinct multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases, primarily affecting the elderly. Common pathophysiological mechanisms have been elucidated in the past decades. First of all both diseases are progressive, with AD leading to dementia and glaucoma inducing blindness. Pathologically, they all feature synaptic dysfunction with changes of neuronal circuitry, progressive accumulation of protein aggregates such as the beta amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular microtubule inclusions containing hyperphosphorylated tau, which belongs to microtubule associated protein family. During an early phase of degeneration, both diseases are characterized by synaptic dysfunction and changes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Common degenerative mechanisms underlying both diseases are discussed here, along with recent results on the potential use of the visual system as a biomarker for diagnosis and progression of AD. Common neuropathological changes and mechanisms in AD and glaucoma have facilitated the transfer of therapeutic strategies between diseases. In particular, we discuss past and present evidence for neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Criscuolo
- Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR) Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlotta Fabiani
- Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR) Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Cerri
- Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR) Pisa, Italy
| | - Luciano Domenici
- Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR)Pisa, Italy; Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L'AquilaL'Aquila, Italy
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193
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Franco R, Martínez-Pinilla E, Navarro G, Zamarbide M. Potential of GPCRs to modulate MAPK and mTOR pathways in Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 149-150:21-38. [PMID: 28189739 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite efforts to understand the mechanism of neuronal cell death, finding effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases is still a challenge. Cognitive deficits are often associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Remarkably, in the absence of consensus biomarkers, diagnosis of diseases such as Alzheimer's still relies on cognitive tests. Unfortunately, all efforts to translate findings in animal models to the patients have been unsuccessful. Alzheimer's disease may be addressed from two different points of view, neuroprotection or cognitive enhancement. Based on recent data, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway arises as a versatile player whose modulation may impact on mechanisms of both neuroprotection and cognition. Whereas direct targeting of mTOR does not seem to constitute a convenient approach in drug discovery, its indirect modulation by other signaling pathways seems promising. In fact, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remain the most common 'druggable' targets and as such pharmacological manipulation of GPCRs with selective ligands may modulate phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and mTOR signaling pathways. Thus, GPCRs become important targets for potential drug treatments in different neurodegenerative disorders including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease. GPCR-mediated modulation of mTOR may take advantage of different GPCRs coupled to different G-dependent and G-independent signal transduction routes, of functional selectivity and/or of biased agonism. Signals mediated by GPCRs may act as coincidence detectors to achieve different benefits in different stages of the neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Franco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine and IBUB (Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de investigación en Red: Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Martínez-Pinilla
- Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine and IBUB (Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de investigación en Red: Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
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194
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Giacomelli C, Daniele S, Martini C. Potential biomarkers and novel pharmacological targets in protein aggregation-related neurodegenerative diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 131:1-15. [PMID: 28159621 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aggregation of specific proteins plays a pivotal role in the etiopathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). β-Amyloid (Aβ) peptide-containing plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated protein tau are the two main neuropathological lesions in Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Parkinson's disease is defined by the presence of intraneuronal inclusions (Lewy bodies), in which α-synuclein (α-syn) has been identified as a major protein component. The current literature provides considerable insights into the mechanisms underlying oligomeric-related neurodegeneration, as well as the relationship between protein aggregation and ND, thus facilitating the development of novel putative biomarkers and/or pharmacological targets. Recently, α-syn, tau and Aβ have been shown to interact each other or with other "pathological proteins" to form toxic heteroaggregates. These latest findings are overcoming the concept that each neurodegenerative disease is related to the misfolding of a single specific protein. In this review, potential opportunities and pharmacological approaches targeting α-syn, tau and Aβ and their oligomeric forms are highlighted with examples from recent studies. Protein aggregation as a biomarker of NDs, in both the brain and peripheral fluids, is deeply explored. Finally, the relationship between biomarker establishment and assessment and their use as diagnostics or therapeutic targets are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giacomelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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195
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Soluble phospho-tau from Alzheimer's disease hippocampus drives microglial degeneration. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 132:897-916. [PMID: 27743026 PMCID: PMC5106501 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1630-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The role of microglial cells in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrated the existence of a weak microglial response in human AD hippocampus which is in contrast to the massive microglial activation observed in APP-based models. Most importantly, microglial cells displayed a prominent degenerative profile (dentate gyrus > CA3 > CA1 > parahippocampal gyrus), including fragmented and dystrophic processes with spheroids, a reduced numerical density, and a significant decrease in the area of surveillance ("microglial domain"). Consequently, there was a substantial decline in the area covered by microglia which may compromise immune protection and, therefore, neuronal survival. In vitro experiments demonstrated that soluble fractions (extracellular/cytosolic) from AD hippocampi were toxic for microglial cells. This toxicity was abolished by AT8 and/or AT100 immunodepletion, validating that soluble phospho-tau was the toxic agent. These results were reproduced using soluble fractions from phospho-tau-positive Thy-tau22 hippocampi. Cultured microglial cells were not viable following phagocytosis of SH-SY5Y cells expressing soluble intracellular phospho-tau. Because the phagocytic capacity of microglial cells is highly induced by apoptotic signals in the affected neurons, we postulate that accumulation of intraneuronal soluble phospho-tau might trigger microglial degeneration in the AD hippocampus. This microglial vulnerability in AD pathology provides new insights into the immunological mechanisms underlying the disease progression and highlights the need to improve or develop new animal models, as the current models do not mimic the microglial pathology observed in the hippocampus of AD patients.
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196
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Smethurst P, Newcombe J, Troakes C, Simone R, Chen YR, Patani R, Sidle K. In vitro prion-like behaviour of TDP-43 in ALS. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 96:236-247. [PMID: 27590623 PMCID: PMC5113659 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND), and >95% of familial and sporadic cases involve the deposition of insoluble aggregated, phosphorylated and cleaved TDP-43 protein. Accumulating clinical and biological evidence now indicates that ALS bears a number of similarities to the prion diseases, with TDP-43 acting as a misfolded 'prion-like' protein demonstrating similar underlying pathobiology. Here we systematically address the hypothesis that ALS is a prion-like disorder. First we demonstrate that TDP-43 demonstrates seeded polymerisation in vitro directly from both ALS brain and spinal cord. We next show that the seeding of TDP-43 results in the formation of characteristic insoluble, aggregated, and phosphorylated TDP-43 pathology that directly recapitulates the morphological diversity of TDP-43 inclusions detected in ALS patient CNS tissue. We next demonstrate that this reaction can be serially propagated to produce increasing amounts of phosphorylated TDP-43 pathology, and that aggregates can spread from cell to cell in an analogous fashion to that seen in the prion diseases. Finally, we reproduced our findings in a murine motor neuron-like cell line (NSC-34), where the seeding of TDP-43 induces the formation of TDP-43 oligomers and reduced cell viability. These findings may guide therapeutic strategies in this rapidly progressive and invariably fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Smethurst
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Newcombe
- NeuroResource, UCL Institute of Neurology, Department of Neuroinflammation, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Troakes
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, DeCrispigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Simone
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Sidle
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
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197
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Koss DJ, Jones G, Cranston A, Gardner H, Kanaan NM, Platt B. Soluble pre-fibrillar tau and β-amyloid species emerge in early human Alzheimer's disease and track disease progression and cognitive decline. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 132:875-895. [PMID: 27770234 PMCID: PMC5106509 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1632-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Post-mortem investigations of human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have largely failed to provide unequivocal evidence in support of the original amyloid cascade hypothesis, which postulated deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregates to be the cause of a demented state as well as inductive to tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Conflicting evidence suggests, however, that Aβ plaques and NFTs, albeit to a lesser extent, are present in a substantial subset of non-demented individuals. Hence, a range of soluble tau and Aβ species has more recently been implicated as the disease-relevant toxic entities. Despite the incorporation of soluble proteins into a revised amyloid cascade hypothesis, a detailed characterization of these species in the context of human AD onset, progression and cognitive decline has been lacking. Here, lateral temporal lobe samples (Brodmann area 21) of 46 human cases were profiled via tau and Aβ Western blot and native state dot blot protocols. Elevations in phospho-tau (antibodies: CP13, AT8 and PHF-1), pathological tau conformations (MC-1) and oligomeric tau (TOC1) agreed with medical diagnosis (non-AD cf. AD) and Braak stage classification (low, intermediate and high), alongside elevations in soluble Aβ species (MOAB-2 and pyro-glu Aβ) and a decline in levels of the amyloid precursor protein. Strong correlations were observed between individual Braak stages and multiple cognitive measures with all tau markers as well as total soluble Aβ. In contrast to previous reports, SDS-stable Aβ oligomers (*56) were not found to be reliable for all classifications and appeared likely to be a technical artefact. Critically, the robust predictive value of total soluble Aβ was dependent on native state quantification. Elevations in tau and Aβ within soluble fractions (Braak stage 2–3 cf. 0) were evident earlier than previously established in fibril-focused disease progression scales. Together, these data provide strong evidence that soluble forms of tau and Aβ co-localise early in AD and are closely linked to disease progression and cognitive decline.
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198
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Cox K, Combs B, Abdelmesih B, Morfini G, Brady ST, Kanaan NM. Analysis of isoform-specific tau aggregates suggests a common toxic mechanism involving similar pathological conformations and axonal transport inhibition. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 47:113-126. [PMID: 27574109 PMCID: PMC5075521 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Misfolded tau proteins are characteristic of tauopathies, but the isoform composition of tau inclusions varies by tauopathy. Using aggregates of the longest tau isoform (containing 4 microtubule-binding repeats and 4-repeat tau), we recently described a direct mechanism of toxicity that involves exposure of the N-terminal phosphatase-activating domain (PAD) in tau, which triggers a signaling pathway that disrupts axonal transport. However, the impact of aggregation on PAD exposure for other tau isoforms was unexplored. Here, results from immunochemical assays indicate that aggregation-induced increases in PAD exposure and oligomerization are common features among all tau isoforms. The extent of PAD exposure and oligomerization was larger for tau aggregates composed of 4-repeat isoforms compared with those made of 3-repeat isoforms. Most important, aggregates of all isoforms exhibited enough PAD exposure to significantly impair axonal transport in the squid axoplasm. We also show that PAD exposure and oligomerization represent common pathological characteristics in multiple tauopathies. Collectively, these results suggest a mechanism of toxicity common to each tau isoform that likely contributes to degeneration in different tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Cox
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | | | - Gerardo Morfini
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Scott T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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Tiernan CT, Combs B, Cox K, Morfini G, Brady ST, Counts SE, Kanaan NM. Pseudophosphorylation of tau at S422 enhances SDS-stable dimer formation and impairs both anterograde and retrograde fast axonal transport. Exp Neurol 2016; 283:318-29. [PMID: 27373205 PMCID: PMC4992631 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau undergoes numerous modifications, including increased phosphorylation at serine-422 (pS422). In the human brain, pS422 tau protein is found in prodromal AD, correlates well with cognitive decline and neuropil thread pathology, and appears associated with increased oligomer formation and exposure of the N-terminal phosphatase-activating domain (PAD). However, whether S422 phosphorylation contributes to toxic mechanisms associated with disease-related forms of tau remains unknown. Here, we report that S422-pseudophosphorylated tau (S422E) lengthens the nucleation phase of aggregation without altering the extent of aggregation or the types of aggregates formed. When compared to unmodified tau aggregates, the S422E modification significantly increased the amount of SDS-stable tau dimers, despite similar levels of immunoreactivity with an oligomer-selective antibody (TOC1) and another antibody that reports PAD exposure (TNT1). Vesicle motility assays in isolated squid axoplasm further revealed that S422E tau monomers inhibited anterograde, kinesin-1 dependent fast axonal transport (FAT). Unexpectedly, and unlike unmodified tau aggregates, which selectively inhibit anterograde FAT, aggregates composed of S422E tau were found to inhibit both anterograde and retrograde FAT. Highlighting the relevance of these findings to human disease, pS422 tau was found to colocalize with tau oligomers and with a fraction of tau showing increased PAD exposure in the human AD brain. This study identifies novel effects of pS422 on tau biochemical properties, including prolonged nucleation and enhanced dimer formation, which correlate with a distinct inhibitory effect on FAT. Taken together, these findings identify a novel mechanistic basis by which pS422 confers upon tau a toxic effect that may directly contribute to axonal dysfunction in AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea T Tiernan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kristine Cox
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Scott T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Scott E Counts
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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200
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Rosa E, Mahendram S, Ke YD, Ittner LM, Ginsberg SD, Fahnestock M. Tau downregulates BDNF expression in animal and cellular models of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 48:135-142. [PMID: 27676333 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease, soluble tau accumulates and deposits as neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). However, a precise toxic mechanism of tau is not well understood. We hypothesized that overexpression of wild-type tau downregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic peptide essential for learning and memory. Two transgenic mouse models of human tau expression and human tau (hTau40)-transfected human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells were used to examine the effect of excess or pathologically modified wild-type human tau on BDNF expression. Both transgenic mouse models, with or without NFTs, as well as hTau40-SH-SY5Y cells significantly downregulated BDNF messenger RNA compared with controls. Similarly, transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid-β (Aβ) significantly downregulated BDNF expression. However, when crossed with tau knockout mice, the resulting animals exhibited BDNF levels that were not statistically different from wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that excess or pathologically modified wild-type human tau downregulates BDNF and that neither a mutation in tau nor the presence of NFTs is required for toxicity. Moreover, our findings suggest that tau at least partially mediates Aβ-induced BDNF downregulation. Therefore, Alzheimer's disease treatments targeting Aβ alone may not be effective without considering the impact of tau pathology on neurotrophic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sujeivan Mahendram
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Unit, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Margaret Fahnestock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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