Self-assembly of Abeta(1-42) into globular neurotoxins

Amyloid-β-induced synapse damage is mediated via cross-linkage of cellular prion proteins

The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)), which is highly expressed at synapses, was identified as a receptor for the amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers that are associated with dementia in Alzheimer disease. Here, we report that Aβ oligomers secreted by 7PA2 cells caused synapse damage in cultured neurons via a PrP(C)-dependent process. Exogenous PrP(C) added to Prnp knock-out((0/0)) neurons was targeted to synapses and significantly increased Aβ-induced synapse damage. In contrast, the synapse damage induced by a phospholipase A(2)-activating peptide was independent of PrP(C). In Prnp wild-type((+/+)) neurons Aβ oligomers activated synaptic cytoplasmic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)). In these cells, the addition of Aβ oligomers triggered the translocation of cPLA(2) in synapses to cholesterol dense membranes (lipid rafts) where it formed a complex also containing Aβ and PrP(C). In contrast, the addition of Aβ to Prnp((0/0)) neurons did not activate synaptic cPLA(2), which remained in the cytoplasm and was not associated with Aβ. Filtration assays and non-denaturing gels demonstrated that Aβ oligomers cross-link PrP(C). We propose that it is the cross-linkage of PrP(C) by Aβ oligomers that triggers abnormal activation of cPLA(2) and synapse damage. This hypothesis was supported by our observation that monoclonal antibody mediated cross-linkage of PrP(C) also activated synaptic cPLA(2) and caused synapse damage.

Aggregation of amyloids in a cellular context: modelling and experiment

Amyloid-related diseases are a group of illnesses in which an abnormal accumulation of proteins into fibrillar structures is evident. Results from a wide range of studies, ranging from identification of amyloid-β dimers in the brain to biophysical characterization of the interactions between amyloidogenic peptides and lipid membranes during fibril growth shed light on the initial events which take place during amyloid aggregation. Accounts of fibril disaggregation and formation of globular aggregates due to interactions with lipids or fatty acids further demonstrate the complexity of the aggregation process and the difficulty to treat amyloid-related diseases. There is an inherent difficulty in generalizing from studies of aggregation in vitro, but the involvement of too many cellular components limits the ability to follow amyloid aggregation in a cellular (or extracellular) context. Fortunately, the development of experimental methods to generate stable globular aggregates suggests new means of studying the molecular events associated with amyloid aggregation. Furthermore, simulation studies enable deeper understanding of the experimental results and provide useful predictions that can be tested in the laboratory. Computer simulations can nowadays provide molecular or even atomistic details that are experimentally not available or very difficult to obtain. In the present review, recent developments on modelling and experiments of amyloid aggregation are reviewed, and an integrative account on how isolated interactions (as observed in vitro and in silico) combine during the course of amyloid-related diseases is presented. Finally, it is argued that an integrative approach is necessary to get a better understanding of the protein aggregation process.

Development and validation of a yeast high-throughput screen for inhibitors of Aβ₄₂ oligomerization

Recent reports point to small soluble oligomers, rather than insoluble fibrils, of amyloid β (Aβ), as the primary toxic species in Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, we developed a low-throughput assay in yeast that is capable of detecting small Aβ₄₂ oligomer formation. Specifically, Aβ₄₂ fused to the functional release factor domain of yeast translational termination factor, Sup35p, formed sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-stable low-n oligomers in living yeast, which impaired release factor activity. As a result, the assay for oligomer formation uses yeast growth to indicate restored release factor activity and presumably reduced oligomer formation. We now describe our translation of this assay into a high-throughput screen (HTS) for anti-oligomeric compounds. By doing so, we also identified two presumptive anti-oligomeric compounds from a sub-library of 12,800 drug-like small molecules. Subsequent biochemical analysis confirmed their anti-oligomeric activity, suggesting that this form of HTS is an efficient, sensitive and cost-effective approach to identify new inhibitors of Aβ₄₂ oligomerization.

Expression and localization of mitochondrial ferritin mRNA in Alzheimer's disease cerebral cortex

Mitochondrial ferritin (MtF) has been identified as a novel ferritin encoded by an intron-lacking gene with specific mitochondrial localization located on chromosome 5q23.1. MtF has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Friedreich ataxia and restless leg syndrome. However, little information is available about MtF in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, therefore, we investigated the expression and localization of MtF messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cerebral cortex of AD and control cases using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as in situ hybridization histochemistry. We also examined protein expression using western-blot assay. In addition, we used in vitro methods to further explore the effect of oxidative stress and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) on MtF expression. To do this we examined MtF mRNA and protein expression changes in the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32, after treatment with Aβ, H2O2, or both. The neuroprotective effect of MtF on oxidative stress induced by H(2)O(2) was measured by MTT assay. The in situ hybridization studies revealed that MtF mRNA was detected mainly in neurons to a lesser degree in glial cells in the cerebral cortex. The staining intensity and the number of positive cells were increased in the cerebral cortex of AD patients. Real-time PCR and western-blot confirmed that MtF expression levels in the cerebral cortex were significantly higher in AD cases than that in control cases at both the mRNA and the protein level. Cell culture experiments demonstrated that the expression of both MtF mRNA and protein were increased by treatment with H2O2 or a combination of Aβ and H2O2, but not with Aβ alone. Finally, MtF expression showed a significant neuroprotective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress (p<0.05). The present study suggests that MtF is involved in the pathology of AD and may play a neuroprotective role against oxidative stress.

Glial and endothelial blood-retinal barrier responses to amyloid-beta in the neural retina of the rat

The effects of an intravitreal or subretinal injection of soluble or aggregated forms of Abeta(1-42) on retinal nestin-immunoreactivity (-IR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-IR in astrocytes and Müller glial cells and the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) were tested in the in vivo rat vitreal-retinal model. Retinas were exposed for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 30 days. We present novel data demonstrating that aggregated Abeta(1-42) up-regulates nestin-IR in astrocytes and Müller cells, with a graded response directly related to the length of pre-injection aggregation time. Similar results were obtained with GFAP-IR, but the signal was weaker. An intravitreal injection of aggregated Abeta(1-42) led to VEGF-IR up-regulation, particularly in the GCL and to a lesser extent in the INL. VEGFR1-IR (Flt1) was also increased, particularly in Müller cells and this was accompanied by marked leakage of albumin into the retinal parenchyma of the injected eye, but not in the contralateral eye.

Different β-amyloid oligomer assemblies in Alzheimer brains correlate with age of disease onset and impaired cholinergic activity

In this study, we examined the relationship between various β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomer assemblies in autopsy brain with the levels of fibrillar Aβ and cholinergic synaptic function. Brain tissues obtained from the frontal cortex of 14 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients grouped into early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD) and 12 age-matched control subjects were used to extract and quantify Aβ oligomers in soluble (TBS), detergent soluble (TBST), and insoluble (GuHCl) fractions. The predominant oligomeric Aβ assemblies detected were dodecamers, decamers, and pentamers, and different patterns of expression were observed between EOAD and LOAD patients. There was no association between any of the detected Aβ oligomer assemblies and fibrillar Aβ levels measured by N-methyl[(3)H] 2-(40-methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxy-benzothiazole ([(3)H]PIB) binding. Levels of pentamers in the soluble fraction significantly correlated with a reduction in choline acetyltransferase activity in AD patients. The number of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors negatively correlated with the total amount of Aβ oligomers in the insoluble fraction in EOAD patients, and with decamers in the soluble fraction in LOAD patients. These novel findings suggest that distinct Aβ oligomers induce impairment of cholinergic neurotransmission in AD pathogenesis.

Conformer-specific hydrogen exchange analysis of Aβ(1-42) oligomers by top-down electron capture dissociation mass spectrometry

Protein structural studies are particularly challenging under conditions in which several conformational species (e.g., monomers and aggregated forms) coexist in solution. Most spectroscopic techniques provide population-averaged data. Hence, it is usually not possible to obtain detailed structural information on individual protein species in heterogeneous samples. The current work employs an experimental strategy that addresses this issue. Solution-phase hydrogen exchange (HX) is used in combination with tandem mass spectrometry. Electrosprayed intact ions exhibiting specific HX mass shifts are selected in the gas phase, followed by electron capture dissociation. The resulting fragment ion deuteration pattern provides amide hydrogen bonding information in a conformer-specific and spatially resolved fashion. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by applying it to neurotoxic Aβ(1-42) oligomers that coexist with disordered monomers in solution. The findings of this study point to similarities between oligomers and mature amyloid fibrils with regard to the Aβ(1-42) backbone organization. Specifically, fibrils and oligomers appear to share a β-loop-β secondary structure motif. The spatial resolution obtained with the "top-down" approach used here exceeds that of earlier proteolysis-based HX data on Aβ.

Gami-Chunghyuldan ameliorates memory impairment and neurodegeneration induced by intrahippocampal Aβ 1-42 oligomer injection

Soluble oligomeric forms of amyloid beta (AβO) are regarded as a main cause of synaptic and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and have been a primary target in the development of drug treatments for AD. The present study utilized a mouse model of AD induced by intrahippocampal injection of AβO (10 μM) to investigate the effects of Gami-Chunghyuldan (GCD), a standardized multi-herbal medicinal formula, on the presentation of memory deficits and neurohistological pathogenesis. GCD (10 and 50mg/kg/day, 5 days, p.o.) improved AβO-induced memory impairment as well as reduced neuronal cell death, astrogliosis, and microgliosis in the hippocampus. In addition, GCD prevented AβO-triggered synaptic disruption and cholinergic fiber loss. These results suggest that GCD may be useful in the prevention and treatment of AD.

Polyphenolic glycosides and aglycones utilize opposing pathways to selectively remodel and inactivate toxic oligomers of amyloid β

Substantial evidence suggests that soluble prefibrillar oligomers of the Aβ42 peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease are the most cytotoxic aggregated Aβ isoform. Limited previous work has revealed that aromatic compounds capable of remodeling Aβ oligomers into nontoxic conformers typically do so by converting them into off-pathway aggregates instead of dissociating them into monomers. Towards identifying small-molecule antagonists capable of selectively dissociating toxic Aβ oligomers into soluble peptide at substoichiometric concentrations, we have investigated the pathways used by polyphenol aglycones and their glycosides to remodel Aβ soluble oligomers. We find that eleven polyphenol aglycones of variable size and structure utilize the same remodeling pathway whereby Aβ oligomers are rapidly converted into large, off-pathway aggregates. Strikingly, we find that glycosides of these polyphenols all utilize a distinct remodeling pathway in which Aβ oligomers are rapidly dissociated into soluble, disaggregated peptide. This disaggregation activity is a synergistic combination of the aglycone and glycone moieties because combinations of polyphenols and sugars fail to disaggregate Aβ oligomers. We also find that polyphenolic glycosides and aglycones use the same opposing pathways to remodel Aβ fibrils. Importantly, both classes of polyphenols fail to remodel nontoxic Aβ oligomers (which are indistinguishable in size and morphology to Aβ soluble oligomers) or promote aggregation of freshly disaggregated Aβ peptide; thus revealing that they are specific for remodeling toxic Aβ conformers. We expect that these and related small molecules will be powerful chemical probes for investigating the conformational and cellular underpinnings of Aβ-mediated toxicity.

A strategy for designing a peptide probe for detection of β-amyloid oligomers

Aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) is implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Development of a robust strategy to detect Aβ oligomeric intermediates, which have been identified as significant toxic agents, would be highly beneficial in the screening of drug candidates as well as enhancing our understanding of Aβ oligomerization. Rapid, specific and quantitative detection, currently unavailable, would be highly preferred for accurate and reliable probing of transient Aβ oligomers. Here, we report the development of a novel peptide probe, PG46, based on the nature of Aβ self-assembly and the conformation-sensitive fluorescence of the biarsenical dye, FlAsH. PG46 was found to bind to Aβ oligomers and displayed an increase in FlAsH fluorescence upon binding. No such event was observed when PG46 was co-incubated with Aβ low-molecular-weight species or Aβ fibrils. Aβ oligomer detection was fast, and occurred within one hour without any additional sample incubation or preparation. We anticipate that the development of a strategy for detection of amyloid oligomers described in this study will be directly relevant to a host of other amyloidogenic proteins.

Biflavonoids are superior to monoflavonoids in inhibiting amyloid-β toxicity and fibrillogenesis via accumulation of nontoxic oligomer-like structures

Polymerization of monomeric amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) into soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils is one of the major pathways triggering the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using small molecules to prevent the polymerization of Aβ peptides can, therefore, be an effective therapeutic strategy for AD. In this study, we investigate the effects of mono- and biflavonoids in Aβ42-induced toxicity and fibrillogenesis and find that the biflavonoid taiwaniaflavone (TF) effectively and specifically inhibits Aβ toxicity and fibrillogenesis. Compared to TF, the monoflavonoid apigenin (AP) is less effective and less specific. Our data show that differential effects of the mono- and biflavonoids in Aβ fibrillogenesis correlate with their varying cytoprotective efficacies. We also find that other biflavonoids, namely, 2',8''-biapigenin, amentoflavone, and sumaflavone, can also effectively inhibit Aβ toxicity and fibrillogenesis, implying that the participation of two monoflavonoids in a single biflavonoid molecule enhances their activity. Biflavonoids, while strongly inhibiting Aβ fibrillogenesis, accumulate nontoxic Aβ oligomeric structures, suggesting that these are off-pathway oligomers. Moreover, TF abrogates the toxicity of preformed Aβ oligomers and fibrils, indicating that TF and other biflavonoids may also reduce the toxicity of toxic Aβ species. Altogether, our data clearly show that biflavonoids, possibly because of the possession of two Aβ binders separated by an appropriate size linker, are likely to be promising therapeutics for suppressing Aβ toxicity.

Targets for AD treatment: conflicting messages from γ-secretase inhibitors

Current evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-factorial disease that starts with accumulation of multiple proteins. We have previously proposed that inhibition of γ-secretase may impair membrane recycling causing neurodegeneration starting at synapses (Sambamurti K., Suram A., Venugopal C., Prakasam A., Zhou Y., Lahiri D. K. and Greig N. H. A partial failure of membrane protein turnover may cause Alzheimer's disease: a new hypothesis. Curr. Alzheimer Res., 3, 2006, 81). We also proposed familal AD mutations increase Aβ42 by inhibiting γ-secretase. Herein, we discuss the failure of Eli Lilly's γ-secretase inhibitor, semagacestat, in clinical trials in the light of our hypothesis, which extends the problem beyond toxicity of Aβ aggregates. We elaborate that γ-secretase inhibitors lead to accumulation of amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragments that can later be processed by γ-secretase to yields bursts of Aβ to facilitate aggregation. Although we do not exclude a role for toxic Aβ aggregates, inhibition of γ-secretase can affect numerous substrates other than amyloid precursor protein to affect multiple pathways and the combined accumulation of multiple peptides in the membrane may impair its function and turnover. Taken together, protein processing and turnover pathways play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and unless we clearly see consistent disease-related increase in their levels or activity, we need to focus on preserving their function rather than inhibiting them for treatment of AD and similar diseases.

Dissociation of β-amyloid from lipoprotein in cerebrospinal fluid from Alzheimer's disease accelerates β-amyloid-42 assembly

Monoclonal 2C3 specific to β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers (AβOs) enabled us to test our hypothesis that the alteration of lipoprotein-Aβ interaction in the central nervous system (CNS) initiates and/or accelerates the cascade favoring Aβ assembly. Immunoprecipitation of frontal cortex employing 2C3 unequivocally detected soluble 4-, 8-, and 12-mers in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. Immunoblot analysis of the entorhinal cortex employing 2C3 revealed that the accumulation of soluble 12-mers precedes the appearance of neuronal loss or cognitive impairment and is enhanced as the Braak neurofibrially tangle (NFT) stages progress. The dissociation of soluble Aβ from lipoprotein particles occurs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the presence of lipoprotein-free oligomeric 2C3 conformers (4- to 35-mers) was evident, which mimic CNS environments. Such CNS environments may strongly affect conformation of soluble Aβ peptides, resulting in the conversion of soluble Aβ(42) monomers into soluble Aβ(42) assembly. The findings suggest that functionally declined lipoproteins may accelerate the generation of metabolic conditions leading to higher levels of soluble Aβ(42) assembly in the CNS.

Sporadic inclusion-body myositis: conformational multifactorial ageing-related degenerative muscle disease associated with proteasomal and lysosomal inhibition, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and accumulation of amyloid-β42 oligomers and phosphorylated tau

The pathogenesis of sporadic inclusion-body myositis (s-IBM), the most common muscle disease of older persons, is complex and multifactorial. Both the muscle fiber degeneration and the mononuclear-cell inflammation are components of the s-IBM pathology, but how each relates to the pathogenesis remains unsettled. We consider that the intramuscle fiber degenerative component plays the primary and the major pathogenic role leading to muscle fiber destruction and clinical weakness. In this article we review the newest research advances that provide a better understanding of the s-IBM pathogenesis. Cellular abnormalities occurring in s-IBM muscle fibers are discussed, including: several proteins that are accumulated in the form of aggregates within muscle fibers, including amyloid-β42 and its oligomers, and phosphorylated tau in the form of paired helical filaments, and we consider their putative detrimental influence; cellular mechanisms leading to protein misfolding and aggregation, including evidence of their inadequate disposal; pathogenic importance of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response demonstrated in s-IBM muscle fibers; and decreased deacetylase activity of SIRT1. All these factors are combined with, and perhaps provoked by, an ageing intracellular milieu. Also discussed are the intriguing phenotypic similarities between s-IBM muscle fibers and the brains of Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease patients, the two most common neurodegenerative diseases associated with ageing. Muscle biopsy diagnostic criteria are also described and illustrated.

Extracellular and intraneuronal HMW-AbetaOs represent a molecular basis of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease model mouse

Background

Several lines of evidence indicate that memory loss represents a synaptic failure caused by soluble amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers. However, the pathological relevance of Aβ oligomers (AβOs) as the trigger of synaptic or neuronal degeneration, and the possible mechanism underlying the neurotoxic action of endogenous AβOs remain to be determined.

Results

To specifically target toxic AβOs in vivo, monoclonal antibodies (1A9 and 2C3) specific to them were generated using a novel design method. 1A9 and 2C3 specifically recognize soluble AβOs larger than 35-mers and pentamers on Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. Biophysical and structural analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that neurotoxic 1A9 and 2C3 oligomeric conformers displayed non-fibrilar, relatively spherical structure. Of note, such AβOs were taken up by neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell, resulted in neuronal death. In humans, immunohistochemical analysis employing 1A9 or 2C3 revealed that 1A9 and 2C3 stain intraneuronal granules accumulated in the perikaryon of pyramidal neurons and some diffuse plaques. Fluoro Jade-B binding assay also revealed 1A9- or 2C3-stained neurons, indicating their impending degeneration. In a long-term low-dose prophylactic trial using active 1A9 or 2C3 antibody, we found that passive immunization protected a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) from memory deficits, synaptic degeneration, promotion of intraneuronal AβOs, and neuronal degeneration. Because the primary antitoxic action of 1A9 and 2C3 occurs outside neurons, our results suggest that extracellular AβOs initiate the AD toxic process and intraneuronal AβOs may worsen neuronal degeneration and memory loss.

Conclusion

Now, we have evidence that HMW-AβOs are among the earliest manifestation of the AD toxic process in mice and humans. We are certain that our studies move us closer to our goal of finding a therapeutic target and/or confirming the relevance of our therapeutic strategy.

Conjugated Quantum Dots Inhibit the Amyloid β (1-42) Fibrillation Process

Nanoparticles have enormous potential in diagnostic and therapeutic studies. We have demonstrated that the amyloid beta mixed with and conjugated to dihydrolipoic acid- (DHLA) capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) of size approximately 2.5 nm can be used to reduce the fibrillation process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used as tools for analysis of fibrillation. There is a significant change in morphology of fibrils when amyloid β (1–42) (Aβ (1–42)) is mixed or conjugated to the QDs. The length and the width of the fibrils vary under modified conditions. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence supports the decrease in fibril formation in presence of DHLA-capped QDs.

Microglia activation mediates fibrillar amyloid-β toxicity in the aged primate cortex

The amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The fibrillar form of Aβ (fAβ) exerts toxic effects on neurons through mechanisms not well understood. We have shown that the aged primate cortex is selectively vulnerable to fAβ toxicity at low concentrations. In addition to neuronal loss, fAβ induced massive activation of microglia in the aged rhesus cortex. We now demonstrate that inhibition of microglia activation abolishes fAβ toxicity. Injection or pump delivery of macrophage/microglia inhibitory factor (MIF) significantly reduced activation of microglia and the volume of damage caused by fAβ. Microglia isolated from aged rhesus cortex produced substantial reactive oxygen species when stimulated by fAβ, which was inhibited by MIF in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first definitive in vivo demonstration that the fAβ-induced microglia activation and inflammation mediate, at least in part, its toxic effects on neurons. Combined with our earlier observations, these findings suggest that aged primate microglia may display an exaggerated inflammatory response to fAβ when compared with young microglia.

Formation of Toxic Amyloid Fibrils by Amyloid β-Protein on Ganglioside Clusters

It is widely accepted that the conversion of the soluble, nontoxic amyloid β-protein (Aβ) monomer to aggregated toxic Aβ rich in β-sheet structures is central to the development of Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanism of the abnormal aggregation of Aβ in vivo is not well understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that lipid rafts (microdomains) in membranes mainly composed of sphingolipids (gangliosides and sphingomyelin) and cholesterol play a pivotal role in this process. This paper summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which Aβ aggregates on membranes containing ganglioside clusters, forming amyloid fibrils. Notably, the toxicity and physicochemical properties of the fibrils are different from those of Aβ amyloids formed in solution. Furthermore, differences between Aβ-(1–40) and Aβ-(1–42) in membrane interaction and amyloidogenesis are also emphasized.

Ganglioside-mediated aggregation of amyloid β-proteins (Aβ): comparison between Aβ-(1-42) and Aβ-(1-40)

Conversion of the soluble, non-toxic amyloid β-protein (Aβ) into an aggregated, toxic form rich in β-sheets is considered a key step in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that lipid rafts in membranes play a pivotal role in this process. We have proposed that Aβ-(1-40) specifically bound to a ganglioside cluster forms cytotoxic fibrils via a conformational transition from an α-helix-rich structure to a β-sheet-rich one. In the present study, we compared the interaction of Aβ-(1-40) and Aβ-(1-42) with both model and living cell membranes. Aβ-(1-42) exhibited lipid specificity and affinity similar to Aβ-(1-40), though its amyloidogenic activity was more than 10-fold that of Aβ-(1-40). Antibody staining experiments, using the A11 antibody specific to Aβ oligomers, demonstrated that oligomers were not detected during the aggregation process, and cell death was observed only after significant accumulation of the proteins, suggesting that the fibril-induced disruption of cell membranes leads to the cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we succeeded in visualizing fibrils formed on cell membranes using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Aβ-(1-40) formed long fibrils extruding to the aqueous phase, whereas Aβ-(1-42) fibrils appeared to be laterally co-assembled and short.

Restricted V gene usage and VH/VL pairing of mouse humoral response against the N-terminal immunodominant epitope of the amyloid β peptide

Over the last decade, the potential of antibodies as therapeutic strategies to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been growing, based on successful experimental and clinical trials in transgenic mice. Despite, undesirable side effects in humans using an active immunization approach, immunotherapy still remains one of the most promising treatments for AD. In this study, we analyzed the V genes of twelve independently isolated monoclonal antibodies raised against the N-terminal immunodominant epitope of the amyloid β peptide (Aβ or A beta). Surprisingly, we found a high and unusual level of restriction in the VH/VL pairing of these antibodies. Moreover, these antibodies mostly differ in their heavy chain complementary determining region 3 (HCDR3) and the residues in the antibodies which contact Aβ are already present in the germline V-genes. Based on these observations and or co-crystal structures of antibodies with Aβ, the aim of the current study was to better understand the role of antibody V-domains, HCDR3 regions, key contact residue (H58) and germline encoded residues in Aβ recognition. For that purpose, we designed and produced a range of recombinant Fab constructs. All the Fabs were tested and compared by surface plasmon resonance on Aβ(1-16), Aβ(1-42) high molecular weight and Aβ(1-42) low molecular weight soluble oligomers. Although all the Fabs recognized the Aβ(1-16) peptide and the Aβ(1-42) high molecular weight soluble oligomers, they did not bind the Aβ(1-42) low molecular weight soluble oligomers. Furthermore, we demonstrated that: (1) an aromatic residue at position H58 in the antibody is essential in the recognition of Aβ and (2) Fabs based on germline V-genes bind to Aβ monomers with a low affinity. These findings may have important implications in designing more effective therapeutic antibodies against Aβ.

β-amyloid oligomers and prion protein: Fatal attraction?

The relationship between Alzheimer disease (AD) and prion-related encephalopathies (TSE) has been proposed by different points of view. Recently, the scientific attention has been attracted by the results proposing the possibility that PrPc, the protein whose pathologic form is responsible of TSE, can mediated the toxic effect of β amyloid (Aβ) oligomers. The oligomers are considered the culprit of the neurodegenerative process associated to AD, although the pathogenic mechanism activated by these small aggregates remain to be elucidated. In the initial study based on the binding screening PrPc was identified as ligand /receptor of Aβ oligomers, while long term potentiation (LTP) analysis in vitro and behavioural studies in vivo, demonstrated that the absence of PrPc abolished the damage induced by Aβ oligomers. The high affinity binding Aβ oligomers-PrPc has been confirmed, whereas a functional role of this association has been excluded by three different studies. We approached this issue by the direct application of Aβ oligomers in the brain followed by the behavioural examination of memory deficits. Our data using PrP knock-out mice suggest that Aβ 1-42 oligomers are responsible for cognitive impairment in AD but PrPc is not required for their effect. Similarly, in two other studies the LTP alterations induced by Aβ 1-42 oligomers was not influenced by the absence of PrP. Possible explanations of these contradictory results are discussed.

A beta-amino acid modified heptapeptide containing a designed recognition element disrupts fibrillization of the amyloid beta-peptide

We study the complex formation of a peptide betaAbetaAKLVFF, previously developed by our group, with Abeta(1-42) in aqueous solution. Circular dichroism spectroscopy is used to probe the interactions between betaAbetaAKLVFF and Abeta(1-42), and to study the secondary structure of the species in solution. Thioflavin T fluorescence spectroscopy shows that the population of fibers is higher in betaAbetaAKLVFF/Abeta(1-42) mixtures compared to pure Abeta(1-42) solutions. TEM and cryo-TEM demonstrate that co-incubation of betaAbetaAKLVFF with Abeta(1-42) causes the formation of extended dense networks of branched fibrils, very different from the straight fibrils observed for Abeta(1-42) alone. Neurotoxicity assays show that although betaAbetaAKLVFF alters the fibrillization of Abeta(1-42), it does not decrease the neurotoxicity, which suggests that toxic oligomeric Abeta(1-42) species are still present in the betaAbetaAKLVFF/Abeta(1-42) mixtures. Our results show that our designed peptide binds to Abeta(1-42) and changes the amyloid fibril morphology. This is shown to not necessarily translate into reduced toxicity.

Novel demonstration of amyloid-β oligomers in sporadic inclusion-body myositis muscle fibers

Accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) within muscle fibers has been considered an upstream step in the development of the s-IBM pathologic phenotype. Aβ42, which is considered more cytotoxic than Aβ40 and has a higher propensity to oligomerize, is preferentially increased in s-IBM muscle fibers. In Alzheimer disease (AD), low-molecular weight Aβ oligomers and toxic oligomers, also referred to as "Aβ-Derived Diffusible Ligands" (ADDLs), are considered strongly cytotoxic and proposed to play an important pathogenic role. ADDLs have been shown to be increased in AD brain. We now report for the first time that in s-IBM muscle biopsies Aβ-dimer, -trimer, and -tetramer are identifiable by immunoblots. While all the s-IBM samples we studied had Aβ-oligomers, their molecular weights and intensity varied between the patient samples. None of the control muscle biopsies had Aβ oligomers. Dot-immunoblots using highly specific anti-ADDL monoclonal antibodies also showed highly increased ADDLs in all s-IBM biopsies studied, while controls were negative. By immunofluorescence, in some of the abnormal s-IBM muscle fibers ADDLs were accumulated in the form of plaque-like inclusions, and were often increased diffusely in very small fibers. Normal and disease-controls were negative. By gold-immuno-electron microscopy, ADDL-immunoreactivities were in close proximity to 6-10 nm amyloid-like fibrils, and also were immunodecorating amorphous and floccular material. In cultured human muscle fibers, we found that inhibition of autophagy led to the accumulation of Aβ oligomers. This novel demonstration of Aβ42 oligomers in s-IBM muscle biopsy provides additional evidence that intra-muscle fiber accumulation of Aβ42 oligomers in s-IBM may contribute importantly to s-IBM pathogenic cascade.

Effects of peptides derived from terminal modifications of the aβ central hydrophobic core on aβ fibrillization

Considerable research effort has focused on the discovery of mitigators that block the toxicity of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) by targeting a specific step involved in Aβ fibrillogenesis and subsequent aggregation. Given that aggregation intermediates are hypothesized to be responsible for Aβ toxicity, such compounds could likely prevent or mitigate aggregation, or alternatively cause further association of toxic oligomers into larger nontoxic aggregates. Herein we investigate the effect of modifications of the KLVFF hydrophobic core of Aβ by replacing N- and C-terminal groups with various polar moieties. Several of these terminal modifications were found to disrupt the formation of amyloid fibrils and in some cases induced the disassembly of preformed fibrils. Significantly, mitigators that incorporate MiniPEG polar groups were found to be effective against Aβ(1-40) fibrilligonesis. Previously, we have shown that mitigators incorporating alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids (ααAAs) were effective in disrupting fibril formation as well as inducing fibril disassembly. In this work, we further disclose that the number of polar residues (six) and ααAAs (three) in the original mitigator can be reduced without dramatically changing the ability to disrupt Aβ(1-40) fibrillization in vitro.

Embryonic stem and haematopoietic progenitor cells resist to Aβ oligomer toxicity and maintain the differentiation potency in culture

Regenerative medicine deals with the possible use of stem cells to repair tissues damaged by aging and related diseases, including amyloidoses. In the latter case, the toxicity of the amyloid deposits can, in principle, question the possibility to graft specific tissues by undifferentiated cells. To assess whether stem cells are vulnerable to amyloid toxicity, we exposed, in culture, murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and haematopoietic progenitor (HP) cells to oligomers of the amyloidogenic peptide Aβ42 at concentrations previously shown to be cytotoxic to several other cell types. These stem cells did not display any sign of apoptosis and their survival, proliferation and differentiation were not affected by the oligomers although the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay revealed that ES, but not HP, cells displayed some impaired ability to reduce the tetrazole salts possibly as a result of transient oxidative stress. Our results support a remarkable resistance of the investigated stem cells against amyloids and hence their potential use in cell therapy of Alzheimer's disease and, possibly, other amyloid diseases.

Deleterious effects of amyloid beta oligomers acting as an extracellular scaffold for mGluR5

Soluble oligomers of amyloid beta (Abeta) play a role in the memory impairment characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Acting as pathogenic ligands, Abeta oligomers bind to particular synapses and perturb their function, morphology, and maintenance. Events that occur shortly after oligomer binding have been investigated here in live hippocampal neurons by single particle tracking of quantum dot-labeled oligomers and synaptic proteins. Membrane-attached oligomers initially move freely, but their diffusion is hindered markedly upon accumulation at synapses. Concomitantly, individual metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5) manifest strikingly reduced lateral diffusion as they become aberrantly clustered. This clustering of mGluR5 elevates intracellular calcium and causes synapse deterioration, responses prevented by an mGluR5 antagonist. As expected, clustering by artificial crosslinking also promotes synaptotoxicity. These results reveal a mechanism whereby Abeta oligomers induce the abnormal accumulation and overstabilization of a glutamate receptor, thus providing a mechanistic and molecular basis for Abeta oligomer-induced early synaptic failure.

The culprit behind amyloid beta peptide related neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease: oligomer size or conformation?

Since the reformulation of the amyloid cascade hypothesis to focus on oligomeric aggregates of amyloid beta as the prime toxic species causing Alzheimer's disease, many researchers refocused on detecting a specific molecular assembly of defined size thatis the main trigger of Alzheimer's disease. The result has been the identification of a host of molecular assemblies containing from two up to a hundred molecules of the amyloid beta peptide, which were all found to impair memory formation in mice. This clearly demonstrates that size is insufficient to define toxicity and peptide conformation has to be taken into account. In this review we discuss the interplay between oligomer size and peptide conformation as the key determinants of the neurotoxicity of the amyloid beta peptide.

An Aß concatemer with altered aggregation propensities

We present an analysis of the conformational and aggregative properties of an Aß concatemer (Con-Alz) of interest for vaccine development against Alzheimer's disease. Con-Alz consists of 3 copies of the 43 residues of the Aß peptide separated by the P2 and P30 T-cell epitopes from the tetanus toxin. Even in the presence of high concentrations of denaturants or fluorinated alcohols, Con-Alz has a very high propensity to form aggregates which slowly coalesce over time with changes in secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Only micellar concentrations of SDS were able to inhibit aggregation. The increase in the ability to bind the fibril-binding dye ThT increases without lag time, which is characteristic of relatively amorphous aggregates. Confirming this, electron microscopy reveals that Con-Alz adopts a morphology resembling truncated protofibrils after prolonged incubation, but it is unable to assemble into classical amyloid fibrils. Despite its high propensity to aggregate, Con-Alz does not show any significant ability to permeabilize vesicles, which for fibrillating proteins is taken to be a key factor in aggregate cytotoxicity and is attributed to oligomers formed at an early stage in the fibrillation process. Physically linking multiple copies of the Aß-peptide may thus sterically restrict Con-Alz against forming cytotoxic oligomers, forcing it instead to adopt a less well-organized assembly of intermeshed polypeptide chains.

Preparation and characterization of toxic Abeta aggregates for structural and functional studies in Alzheimer's disease research

The amyloid cascade hypothesis, supported by strong evidence from genetics, pathology and studies using animal models, implicates amyloid-beta (Abeta) oligomerization and fibrillogenesis as central causative events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Today, significant efforts in academia, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry are devoted to identifying the mechanisms by which the process of Abeta aggregation contributes to neurodegeneration in AD and to the identity of the toxic Abeta species. In this paper, we describe methods and detailed protocols for reproducibly preparing Abeta aggregates of defined size distribution and morphology, including monomers, protofibrils and fibrils, using size exclusion chromatography. In addition, we describe detailed biophysical procedures for elucidating the structural features, aggregation kinetics and toxic properties of the different Abeta aggregation states, with special emphasis on protofibrillar intermediates. The information provided by this approach allows for consistent correlation between the properties of the aggregates and their toxicity toward primary neurons and/or cell lines. A better understanding of the molecular and structural basis of Abeta aggregation and toxicity is crucial for the development of effective strategies aimed at prevention and/or treatment of AD. Furthermore, the identification of specific aggregation states, which correlate with neurodegeneration in AD, could lead to the development of diagnostic tools to detect and monitor disease progression. The procedures described can be performed in as little as 1 day, or may take longer, depending on the exact toxicity assays used.

Neuronal and axonal loss are selectively linked to fibrillar amyloid-{beta} within plaques of the aged primate cerebral cortex

The amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) deposited in plaques in Alzheimer's disease has been shown to cause degeneration of neurons in experimental paradigms in vivo and in vitro. However, it has been difficult to convincingly demonstrate toxicity of native amyloid deposits in the aged and Alzheimer brains. Here we provide evidence that the fibrillar conformation of Abeta (fAbeta) deposited in compact plaques is associated with the pathologies observed in Alzheimer brains. fAbeta containing compact but not diffuse plaques in the aged rhesus cortex contained activated microglia and clusters of phosphorylated tau-positive swollen neurites. Scholl's quantitative analysis revealed that the area adjacent to fAbeta, containing compact but not diffuse plaques in aged rhesus, aged human, and Alzheimer's disease cortex, displays significant loss of neurons and small but statistically significant reduction in the density of cholinergic axons. These observations suggest that fAbeta toxicity may not be restricted to cultured cells and animal injection models. Rather, fAbeta deposited in native compact plaques in aged and AD brains may exert selective toxic effects on its surrounding neural environment.

Phospholipase A2 inhibitors protect against prion and Abeta mediated synapse degeneration

BACKGROUND

An early event in the neuropathology of prion and Alzheimer's diseases is the loss of synapses and a corresponding reduction in the level of synaptophysin, a pre-synaptic membrane protein essential for neurotransmission. The molecular mechanisms involved in synapse degeneration in these diseases are poorly understood. In this study the process of synapse degeneration was investigated by measuring the synaptophysin content of cultured neurones incubated with the prion derived peptide (PrP82-146) or with Abeta1-42, a peptide thought to trigger pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. A pharmacological approach was used to screen cell signalling pathways involved in synapse degeneration.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment with phospholipase A2 inhibitors (AACOCF3, MAFP and aristolochic acids) protected against synapse degeneration in cultured cortical and hippocampal neurones incubated with PrP82-146 or Abeta1-42. Synapse degeneration was also observed following the addition of a specific phospholipase A2 activating peptide (PLAP) and the addition of PrP82-146 or Abeta1-42 activated cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 within synapses. Activation of phospholipase A2 is the first step in the generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and PAF receptor antagonists (ginkgolide B, Hexa-PAF and CV6029) protected against synapse degeneration induced by PrP82-146, Abeta1-42 and PLAP. PAF facilitated the production of prostaglandin E2, which also caused synapse degeneration and pre-treatment with the prostanoid E receptor antagonist AH13205 protected against PrP82-146, Abeta1-42 and PAF induced synapse degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that PrP82-146 and Abeta1-42trigger abnormal activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 resident within synapses, resulting in elevated levels of PAF and prostaglandin E2that cause synapse degeneration. Inhibitors of this pathway that can cross the blood brain barrier may protect against the synapse degeneration seen during Alzheimer's or prion diseases.

Proteases and Proteolysis in Alzheimer Disease: A Multifactorial View on the Disease Process

Alzheimer disease is characterized by the accumulation of abnormally folded protein fragments, i.e., amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) and tau that precipitate in amyloid plaques and neuronal tangles, respectively. In this review we discuss the complicated proteolytic pathways that are responsible for the generation and clearance of these fragments, and how disturbances in these pathways interact and provide a background for a novel understanding of Alzheimer disease as a multifactorial disorder. Recent insights evolve from the static view that the morphologically defined plaques and tangles are disease driving towards a more dynamic, biochemical view in which the intermediary soluble Aβ oligomers and soluble tau fragments are considered as the main mediators of neurotoxicity. The relevance of proteolytic pathways, centered on the generation and clearance of toxic Aβ, on the cleavage and nucleation of tau, and on the general proteostasis of the neurons, then becomes obvious. Blocking or stimulating these pathways provide, or have the potential to provide, interesting drug targets, which raises the hope that we will be able to provide a cure for this dreadful disorder.

Anti-amyloidogenic property of leaf aqueous extract of Caesalpinia crista

Amyloid beta (Abeta) is the major etiological factor implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta(42) self-assembles to form oligomers and fibrils via multiple aggregation process. The recent studies aimed to decrease Abeta levels or prevention of Abeta aggregation which are the major targets for therapeutic intervention. Natural products as alternatives for AD drug discovery are a current trend. We evidenced that Caesalpinia crista leaf aqueous extract has anti-amyloidogenic potential. The studies on pharmacological properties of C. crista are very limited. Our study focused on ability of C. crista leaf aqueous extract on the prevention of (i) the formation of oligomers and aggregates from monomers (Phase I: Abeta(42)+extract co-incubation); (ii) the formation of fibrils from oligomers (Phase II: extract added after oligomers formation); and (iii) dis-aggregation of pre-formed fibrils (Phase III: aqueous extract added to matured fibrils and incubated for 9 days). The aggregation kinetics was monitored using thioflavin-T assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that C. crista aqueous extract could able to inhibit the Abeta(42) aggregation from monomers and oligomers and also able to dis-aggregate the pre-formed fibrils. The study provides an insight on finding new natural products for AD therapeutics.

Increased BACE1 mRNA and noncoding BACE1-antisense transcript in sporadic inclusion-body myositis muscle fibers--possibly caused by endoplasmic reticulum stress

Sporadic inclusion-body myositis (s-IBM) is the most common muscle disease of older persons. Its muscle-fiber phenotype shares several molecular similarities with Alzheimer-disease (AD) brain, including increased AbetaPP, accumulation of amyloid-beta (Abeta), and increased BACE1 protein. Abeta42 is prominently increased in AD brain and within s-IBM fibers, and its oligomers are putatively toxic to both tissues--accordingly, minimizing Abeta42 production can be a therapeutic objective in both tissues. The pathogenic development of s-IBM is unknown, including the mechanisms of BACE1 protein increase. BACE1 is an enzyme essential for production from AbetaPP of Abeta42 and Abeta40, which are proposed to be detrimental within s-IBM muscle fibers. Novel noncoding BACE1-antisense (BACE1-AS) was recently shown (a) to be increased in AD brain, and (b) to increase BACE1 mRNA and BACE1 protein. We studied BACE1-AS and BACE1 transcripts by real-time PCR (a) in 10 s-IBM and 10 age-matched normal muscle biopsies; and (b) in our established ER-Stress-Human-Muscle-Culture-IBM Model, in which we previously demonstrated increased BACE1 protein. Our study demonstrated for the first time that (a) in s-IBM biopsies BACE1-AS and BACE1 transcripts were significantly increased, suggesting that their increased expression can be responsible for the increase of BACE1 protein; and (b) experimental induction of ER stress significantly increased both BACE1-AS and BACE1 transcripts, suggesting that ER stress can participate in their induction in s-IBM muscle. Accordingly, decreasing BACE1 through a targeted downregulation of its regulatory BACE1-AS, or reducing ER stress, might be therapeutic strategies in s-IBM, assuming that it would not impair any normal cellular functions of BACE1.

Identical oligomeric and fibrillar structures captured from the brains of R6/2 and knock-in mouse models of Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized neuropathologically by the presence of neuropil aggregates and nuclear inclusions. However, the profile of aggregate structures that are present in the brains of HD patients or of HD mouse models and the relative contribution of specific aggregate structures to disease pathogenesis is unknown. We have used the Seprion ligand to develop a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method for quantifying aggregated polyglutamine in tissues from HD mouse models. We used a combination of electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) to investigate the aggregate structures isolated by the ligand. We found that the oligomeric, proto-fibrillar and fibrillar aggregates extracted from the brains of R6/2 and HdhQ150 knock-in mice were remarkably similar. Using AFM, we determined that the nanometre globular oligomers isolated from the brains of both mouse models have dimensions identical to those generated from recombinant huntingtin exon 1 proteins. Finally, antibodies that detect exon 1 Htt epitopes differentially recognize the ligand-captured material on SDS–PAGE gels. The Seprion-ligand ELISA provides an assay with good statistical power for use in preclinical pharmacodynamic therapeutic trials or to assess the effects of the genetic manipulation of potential therapeutic targets on aggregate load. This, together with the ability to identify a spectrum of aggregate species in HD mouse tissues, will contribute to our understanding of how these structures relate to the pathogenesis of HD and whether their formation can be manipulated for therapeutic benefit.

Amyloid oligomers: formation and toxicity of Abeta oligomers

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, progressive degenerative disorder that is characterized by synapse and neuron loss in the brain and the accumulation of protein-containing deposits (referred to as 'senile plaques') and neurofibrillary tangles. Insoluble amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) fibrillar aggregates found in extracellular plaques have long been thought to cause the neurodegenerative cascades of AD. However, accumulating evidence suggests that prefibrillar soluble Abeta oligomers induce AD-related synaptic dysfunction. The size of Abeta oligomers is distributed over a wide molecular weight range (from < 10 kDa to > 100 kDa), with structural polymorphism in Abeta oligomers of similar sizes. Recent studies have demonstrated that Abeta can accumulate in living cells, as well as in extracellular spaces. This review summarizes current research on Abeta oligomers, focusing on their structures and toxicity mechanism. We also discuss possible formation mechanisms of intracellular and extracellular Abeta oligomers.

Ribosylation rapidly induces alpha-synuclein to form highly cytotoxic molten globules of advanced glycation end products

Background

Alpha synuclein (α-Syn) is the main component of Lewy bodies which are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. While the glycation with D-glucose that results in α-Syn misfold and aggregation has been studied, the effects of glycation with D-ribose on α-Syn have not been investigated.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we show that ribosylation induces α-Syn misfolding and generates advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which form protein molten globules with high cytotoxcity. Results from native- and SDS-PAGE showed that D-ribose reacted rapidly with α-Syn, leading to dimerization and polymerization. Trypsin digestion and sequencing analysis revealed that during ribosylation the lysinyl residues (K₅₈, K₆₀, K₈₀, K₉₆, K₉₇ and K₁₀₂) in the C-terminal region reacted more quickly with D-ribose than those of the N-terminal region. Using Western blotting, AGEs resulting from the glycation of α-Syn were observed within 24 h in the presence of D-ribose, but were not observed in the presence of D-glucose. Changes in fluorescence at 410 nm demonstrated again that AGEs were formed during early ribosylation. Changes in the secondary structure of ribosylated α-Syn were not clearly detected by CD spectrometry in studies on protein conformation. However, intrinsic fluorescence at 310 nm decreased markedly in the presence of D-ribose. Observations with atomic force microscopy showed that the surface morphology of glycated α-Syn looked like globular aggregates. thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence increased during α-Syn incubation regardless of ribosylation. As incubation time increased, ribosylation of α-Syn resulted in a blue-shift (∼100 nm) in the fluorescence of ANS. The light scattering intensity of ribosylated α-Syn was not markedly different from native α-Syn, suggesting that ribosylated α-Syn is present as molten protein globules. Ribosylated products had a high cytotoxicity to SH-SY5Y cells, leading to LDH release and increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Conclusions/Significance

α-Syn is rapidly glycated in the presence of D-ribose generating molten globule-like aggregations which cause cell oxidative stress and result in high cytotoxicity.

Controlled in situ preparation of A beta(1-42) oligomers from the isopeptide "iso-A beta(1-42)", physicochemical and biological characterization

Beta-amyloid (A beta) peptides play a crucial role in the pathology of the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Biological experiments (both in vitro and animal model studies of AD) require synthetic A beta peptides of standard quality, aggregation grade, neurotoxicity and water solubility. The synthesis of A beta peptides has been difficult, owing to their hydrophobic character, poor solubility and high tendency for aggregation. Recently an isopeptide precursor (iso-A beta(1-42)) was synthesized by Fmoc-chemistry and transformed at neutral pH to A beta(1-42) by O-->N acyl migration in a short period of time. We prepared the same precursor peptide using Boc-chemistry and studied the transformation to A beta(1-42) by acyl migration. The peptide conformation and aggregation processes were studied by several methods (circular dichroism, atomic force and transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering). The biological activity of the synthetic A beta(1-42) was measured by ex vivo (long-term potentiation studies in rat hippocampal slices) and in vivo experiments (spatial learning of rats). It was proven that O-->N acyl migration of the precursor isopeptide results in a water soluble oligomeric mixture of neurotoxic A beta(1-42). These oligomers are formed in situ just before the biological experiments and their aggregation grade could be standardized.

Noradrenaline activation of neurotrophic pathways protects against neuronal amyloid toxicity

Degeneration of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic forebrain projection neurons is an early feature of Alzheimer's disease. The physiological consequences of this phenomenon are unclear, but observations correlating LC neuron loss with increased Alzheimer's disease pathology in LC projection sites suggest that noradrenaline (NA) is neuroprotective. To investigate this hypothesis, we determined that NA protected both hNT human neuronal cultures and rat primary hippocampal neurons from amyloid-beta (Abeta(1-42) and Abeta(25-35)) toxicity. The noradrenergic co-transmitter galanin was also effective at preventing Abeta-induced cell death. NA inhibited Abeta(25-35)-mediated increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and caspase activation in hNT neurons. NA exerted its neuroprotective effects in these cells by stimulating canonical beta(1) and beta(2) adrenergic receptor signaling pathways involving the activation of cAMP response element binding protein and the induction of endogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Treatment with functional blocking antibodies for either NGF or BDNF blocked NA's protective actions against Abeta(1-42) and Abeta(25-35) toxicity in primary hippocampal and hNT neurons, respectively. Taken together, these data suggest that the neuroprotective effects of noradrenergic LC afferents result from stimulating neurotrophic NGF and BDNF autocrine or paracrine loops via beta adrenoceptor activation of the cAMP response element binding protein pathway.