401
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Verkerke M, Hol EM, Middeldorp J. Physiological and Pathological Ageing of Astrocytes in the Human Brain. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2662-2675. [PMID: 33559106 PMCID: PMC8437874 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ageing is the greatest risk factor for dementia, although physiological ageing by itself does not lead to cognitive decline. In addition to ageing, APOE ε4 is genetically the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and is highly expressed in astrocytes. There are indications that human astrocytes change with age and upon expression of APOE4. As these glial cells maintain water and ion homeostasis in the brain and regulate neuronal transmission, it is likely that age- and APOE4-related changes in astrocytes have a major impact on brain functioning and play a role in age-related diseases. In this review, we will discuss the molecular and morphological changes of human astrocytes in ageing and the contribution of APOE4. We conclude this review with a discussion on technical issues, innovations, and future perspectives on how to gain more knowledge on astrocytes in the human ageing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Verkerke
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Immunobiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), P.O. Box 3306, 2280 GH, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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402
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Xu J, Zhang P, Huang Y, Zhou Y, Hou Y, Bekris LM, Lathia J, Chiang CW, Li L, Pieper AA, Leverenz JB, Cummings J, Cheng F. Multimodal single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing data analysis uncovers molecular networks between disease-associated microglia and astrocytes with implications for drug repurposing in Alzheimer's disease. Genome Res 2021; 31:1900-1912. [PMID: 33627474 PMCID: PMC8494225 DOI: 10.1101/gr.272484.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Because disease-associated microglia (DAM) and disease-associated astrocytes (DAA) are involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we systematically identified molecular networks between DAM and DAA to uncover novel therapeutic targets for AD. Specifically, we develop a network-based methodology that leverages single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing data from both transgenic mouse models and AD patient brains, as well as drug-target network, metabolite-enzyme associations, the human protein-protein interactome, and large-scale longitudinal patient data. Through this approach, we find both common and unique gene network regulators between DAM (i.e., PAK1, MAPK14, and CSF1R) and DAA (i.e., NFKB1, FOS, and JUN) that are significantly enriched by neuro-inflammatory pathways and well-known genetic variants (i.e., BIN1). We identify shared immune pathways between DAM and DAA, including Th17 cell differentiation and chemokine signaling. Last, integrative metabolite-enzyme network analyses suggest that fatty acids and amino acids may trigger molecular alterations in DAM and DAA. Combining network-based prediction and retrospective case-control observations with 7.2 million individuals, we identify that usage of fluticasone (an approved glucocorticoid receptor agonist) is significantly associated with a reduced incidence of AD (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.89, P < 1.0 × 10-8). Propensity score-stratified cohort studies reveal that usage of mometasone (a stronger glucocorticoid receptor agonist) is significantly associated with a decreased risk of AD (HR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.81, P < 1.0 × 10-8) compared to fluticasone after adjusting age, gender, and disease comorbidities. In summary, we present a network-based, multimodal methodology for single-cell/nucleus genomics-informed drug discovery and have identified fluticasone and mometasone as potential treatments in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jielin Xu
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Pengyue Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
| | - Yin Huang
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Yadi Zhou
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Yuan Hou
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Lynn M Bekris
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Justin Lathia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Chien-Wei Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Lang Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
- Geriatric Psychiatry, GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
- Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland 44106, Ohio, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - James B Leverenz
- Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Jeffrey Cummings
- Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA
| | - Feixiong Cheng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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403
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Serrano-Pozo A, Li Z, Noori A, Nguyen HN, Mezlini A, Li L, Hudry E, Jackson RJ, Hyman BT, Das S. Effect of APOE alleles on the glial transcriptome in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease. NATURE AGING 2021; 1:919-931. [PMID: 36199750 PMCID: PMC9531903 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00123-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The roles of APOEε4 and APOEε2-the strongest genetic risk and protective factors for Alzheimer's disease-in glial responses remain elusive. We tested the hypothesis that APOE alleles differentially impact glial responses by investigating their effects on the glial transcriptome from elderly control brains with no neuritic amyloid plaques. We identified a cluster of microglial genes that are upregulated in APOEε4 and downregulated in APOEε2 carriers relative to APOEε3 homozygotes. This microglia-APOE cluster is enriched in phagocytosis-including TREM2 and TYROBP-and proinflammatory genes, and is also detectable in brains with frequent neuritic plaques. Next, we tested these findings in APOE knock-in mice exposed to acute (lipopolysaccharide challenge) and chronic (cerebral β-amyloidosis) insults and found that these mice partially recapitulate human APOE-linked expression patterns. Thus, the APOEε4 allele might prime microglia towards a phagocytic and proinflammatory state through an APOE-TREM2-TYROBP axis in normal aging as well as in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Ayush Noori
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Huong N. Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aziz Mezlini
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eloise Hudry
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rosemary J. Jackson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T. Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sudeshna Das
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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404
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Huang W, Bartosch AM, Xiao H, Maji S, Youth EHH, Flowers X, Leskinen S, Tomljanovic Z, Iodice G, Boyett D, Spinazzi E, Menon V, McGovern RA, McKhann GM, Teich AF. An immune response characterizes early Alzheimer's disease pathology and subjective cognitive impairment in hydrocephalus biopsies. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5659. [PMID: 34580300 PMCID: PMC8476497 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25902-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology can be found in cortical biopsies taken during shunt placement for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. This represents an opportunity to study early AD pathology in living patients. Here we report RNA-seq data on 106 cortical biopsies from this patient population. A restricted set of genes correlate with AD pathology in these biopsies, and co-expression network analysis demonstrates an evolution from microglial homeostasis to a disease-associated microglial phenotype in conjunction with increasing AD pathologic burden, along with a subset of additional astrocytic and neuronal genes that accompany these changes. Further analysis demonstrates that these correlations are driven by patients that report mild cognitive symptoms, despite similar levels of biopsy β-amyloid and tau pathology in comparison to patients who report no cognitive symptoms. Taken together, these findings highlight a restricted set of microglial and non-microglial genes that correlate with early AD pathology in the setting of subjective cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenrui Huang
- 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
| | - Anne Marie Bartosch
- 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
| | - Harrison Xiao
- 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
| | - Suvrajit Maji
- 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
| | - Elliot H H Youth
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xena Flowers
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra Leskinen
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zeljko Tomljanovic
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gail Iodice
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah Boyett
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Vilas Menon
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert A McGovern
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Guy M McKhann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew F Teich
- 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.
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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405
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Schulz M, Sevenich L. TAMs in Brain Metastasis: Molecular Signatures in Mouse and Man. Front Immunol 2021; 12:716504. [PMID: 34539650 PMCID: PMC8447936 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.716504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages not only represent an integral part of innate immunity but also critically contribute to tissue and organ homeostasis. Moreover, disease progression is accompanied by macrophage accumulation in many cancer types and is often associated with poor prognosis and therapy resistance. Given their critical role in modulating tumor immunity in primary and metastatic brain cancers, macrophages are emerging as promising therapeutic targets. Different types of macrophages infiltrate brain cancers, including (i) CNS resident macrophages that comprise microglia (TAM-MG) as well as border-associated macrophages and (ii) monocyte-derived macrophages (TAM-MDM) that are recruited from the periphery. Controversy remained about their disease-associated functions since classical approaches did not reliably distinguish between macrophage subpopulations. Recent conceptual and technological advances, such as large-scale omic approaches, provided new insight into molecular profiles of TAMs based on their cellular origin. In this review, we summarize insight from recent studies highlighting similarities and differences of TAM-MG and TAM-MDM at the molecular level. We will focus on data obtained from RNA sequencing and mass cytometry approaches. Together, this knowledge significantly contributes to our understanding of transcriptional and translational programs that define disease-associated TAM functions. Cross-species meta-analyses will further help to evaluate the translational significance of preclinical findings as part of the effort to identify candidates for macrophage-targeted therapy against brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schulz
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Biological Sciences, Faculty 15, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Sevenich
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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406
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Monterey MD, Wei H, Wu X, Wu JQ. The Many Faces of Astrocytes in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol 2021; 12:619626. [PMID: 34531807 PMCID: PMC8438135 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.619626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and is the most common cause of dementia in an aging population. The majority of research effort has focused on the role of neurons in neurodegeneration and current therapies have limited ability to slow disease progression. Recently more attention has been given to the role of astrocytes in the process of neurodegeneration. Specifically, reactive astrocytes have both advantageous and adverse effects during neurodegeneration. The ability to isolate and depict astrocyte phenotype has been challenging. However, with the recent development of single-cell sequencing technologies researchers are provided with the resource to delineate specific biomarkers associated with reactive astrocytes in AD. In this review, we will focus on the role of astrocytes in normal conditions and the pathological development of AD. We will further review recent developments in the understanding of astrocyte heterogeneity and associated biomarkers. A better understanding of astrocyte contributions and phenotypic changes in AD can ultimately lead to more effective therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Monterey
- The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Haichao Wei
- The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UT Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Xizi Wu
- The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UT Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jia Qian Wu
- The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UT Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
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407
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Thrupp N, Sala Frigerio C, Wolfs L, Skene NG, Fattorelli N, Poovathingal S, Fourne Y, Matthews PM, Theys T, Mancuso R, de Strooper B, Fiers M. Single-Nucleus RNA-Seq Is Not Suitable for Detection of Microglial Activation Genes in Humans. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108189. [PMID: 32997994 PMCID: PMC7527779 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) is used as an alternative to single-cell RNA-seq, as it allows transcriptomic profiling of frozen tissue. However, it is unclear whether snRNA-seq is able to detect cellular state in human tissue. Indeed, snRNA-seq analyses of human brain samples have failed to detect a consistent microglial activation signature in Alzheimer’s disease. Our comparison of microglia from single cells and single nuclei of four human subjects reveals that, although most genes show similar relative abundances in cells and nuclei, a small population of genes (∼1%) is depleted in nuclei compared to whole cells. This population is enriched for genes previously implicated in microglial activation, including APOE, CST3, SPP1, and CD74, comprising 18% of previously identified microglial-disease-associated genes. Given the low sensitivity of snRNA-seq to detect many activation genes, we conclude that snRNA-seq is not suited for detecting cellular activation in microglia in human disease. A small set of genes is depleted in microglial nuclei relative to single cells This set is enriched for microglial activation genes, including APOE and SPP1 This depletion is confirmed in publicly available datasets Single-nucleus sequencing is not suited for the detection of human microglial activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Thrupp
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carlo Sala Frigerio
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, University College London, London, UK
| | - Leen Wolfs
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan G Skene
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nicola Fattorelli
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Suresh Poovathingal
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Fourne
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul M Matthews
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tom Theys
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Renzo Mancuso
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart de Strooper
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Mark Fiers
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, University College London, London, UK.
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408
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Romero-Molina C, Navarro V, Jimenez S, Muñoz-Castro C, Sanchez-Mico MV, Gutierrez A, Vitorica J, Vizuete M. Should We Open Fire on Microglia? Depletion Models as Tools to Elucidate Microglial Role in Health and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9734. [PMID: 34575898 PMCID: PMC8471219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia play a critical role in both homeostasis and disease, displaying a wide variety in terms of density, functional markers and transcriptomic profiles along the different brain regions as well as under injury or pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The generation of reliable models to study into a dysfunctional microglia context could provide new knowledge towards the contribution of these cells in AD. In this work, we included an overview of different microglial depletion approaches. We also reported unpublished data from our genetic microglial depletion model, Cx3cr1CreER/Csf1rflx/flx, in which we temporally controlled microglia depletion by either intraperitoneal (acute model) or oral (chronic model) tamoxifen administration. Our results reported a clear microglial repopulation, then pointing out that our model would mimic a context of microglial replacement instead of microglial dysfunction. Next, we evaluated the origin and pattern of microglial repopulation. Additionally, we also reviewed previous works assessing the effects of microglial depletion in the progression of Aβ and Tau pathologies, where controversial data are found, probably due to the heterogeneous and time-varying microglial phenotypes observed in AD. Despite that, microglial depletion represents a promising tool to assess microglial role in AD and design therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Romero-Molina
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Victoria Navarro
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sebastian Jimenez
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Clara Muñoz-Castro
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Maria V. Sanchez-Mico
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Antonia Gutierrez
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Javier Vitorica
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Marisa Vizuete
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain; (C.R.-M.); (V.N.); (S.J.); (C.M.-C.); (M.V.S.-M.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
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409
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Takata K, Ginhoux F, Shimohama S. Roles of microglia in Alzheimer's disease and impact of new findings on microglial heterogeneity as a target for therapeutic intervention. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114754. [PMID: 34480881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are specialized macrophages that reside within the central nervous system and play key roles in brain immunity, development and homeostasis. Recent studies also revealed functions of microglia in neuroprotection and neuroinflammation, leading to the discovery that microglia are involved in several brain pathologies including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the beneficial and detrimental actions of this intriguing cell population can be challenging to dissect: the advent of single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomic technologies has revolutionized our understanding of the heterogeneity of multiple cell types and is now being applied to the study of microglia in health and disease. Here, we review recent findings on microglial biology, focusing on insights from single cell transcriptomic studies and the heterogeneity that they reveal, and consider the impact of these findings on our understanding of AD. We also discuss how microglia might represent a next-generation therapeutic target for treatment of AD and other neuroinflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Takata
- Division of Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore; Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth/Duke-NUS, Academic Medical Centre, The Academia, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Shun Shimohama
- Department of Neurology, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
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410
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Cornell J, Salinas S, Huang HY, Zhou M. Microglia regulation of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:705-716. [PMID: 34472455 PMCID: PMC8530121 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.322423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system. Microglia possess varied morphologies and functions. Under normal physiological conditions, microglia mainly exist in a resting state and constantly monitor their microenvironment and survey neuronal and synaptic activity. Through the C1q, C3 and CR3 “Eat Me” and CD47 and SIRPα “Don’t Eat Me” complement pathways, as well as other pathways such as CX3CR1 signaling, resting microglia regulate synaptic pruning, a process crucial for the promotion of synapse formation and the regulation of neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity. By mediating synaptic pruning, resting microglia play an important role in the regulation of experience-dependent plasticity in the barrel cortex and visual cortex after whisker removal or monocular deprivation, and also in the regulation of learning and memory, including the modulation of memory strength, forgetfulness, and memory quality. As a response to brain injury, infection or neuroinflammation, microglia become activated and increase in number. Activated microglia change to an amoeboid shape, migrate to sites of inflammation and secrete proteins such as cytokines, chemokines and reactive oxygen species. These molecules released by microglia can lead to synaptic plasticity and learning and memory deficits associated with aging, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and other neurological or mental disorders such as autism, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. With a focus mainly on recently published literature, here we reviewed the studies investigating the role of resting microglia in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, as well as how activated microglia modulate disease-related plasticity and learning and memory deficits. By summarizing the function of microglia in these processes, we aim to provide an overview of microglia regulation of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, and to discuss the possibility of microglia manipulation as a therapeutic to ameliorate cognitive deficits associated with aging, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Cornell
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Shelbi Salinas
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Hou-Yuan Huang
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Miou Zhou
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
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411
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Higgins NR, Greenslade JE, Wu JJ, Miranda E, Galliciotti G, Monteiro MJ. Serpin neuropathology in the P497S UBQLN2 mouse model of ALS/FTD. Brain Pathol 2021; 31:e12948. [PMID: 33780087 PMCID: PMC8387369 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests X-linked dominant mutations in UBQLN2 cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) through both loss- and gain-of-function mechanisms. However, the mechanisms by which the mutations cause disease are still unclear. The goal of the study was to uncover the possible pathomechanism(s) by which UBQLN2 mutations cause ALS/FTD. An analysis of proteomic changes in neuronal tissue was used to identify proteins with altered accumulation in the P497S UBQLN2 transgenic mouse model of ALS/FTD. We then used immunocytochemistry and biochemical techniques to confirm protein changes in the mutant P497S mice. Additionally, we used cell lines inactivated of UBQLN2 expression to determine whether its loss underlies the alteration in the proteins seen in P497S mice. The proteome screen identified a dramatic alteration of serine protease inhibitor (serpin) proteins in the mutant P497S animals. Double immunofluorescent staining of brain and spinal cord tissues of the mutant and control mice revealed an age-dependent change in accumulation of Serpin A1, C1, and I1 in puncta whose staining colocalized with UBQLN2 puncta in the mutant P497S mice. Serpin A1 aggregation in P497S animals was confirmed by biochemical extraction and filter retardation assays. A similar phenomenon of serpin protein aggregation was found in HeLa and NSC34 motor neuron cells with inactivated UBQLN2 expression. We found aberrant aggregation of serpin proteins, particularly Serpin A1, in the brain and spinal cord of the P497S UBQLN2 mouse model of ALS/FTD. Similar aggregation of serpin proteins was found in UBQLN2 knockout cells suggesting that serpin aggregation in the mutant P497S animals may stem from loss of UBQLN2 function. Because serpin aggregation is known to cause disease through both loss- and gain-of-function mechanisms, we speculate that their accumulation in the P497S mouse model of ALS/FTD may contribute to disease pathogenesis through similar mechanism(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Higgins
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Jessie E. Greenslade
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Josephine J. Wu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’Pasteur Institute – Cenci Bolognetti FoundationSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Mervyn J. Monteiro
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
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412
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Wu KM, Zhang YR, Huang YY, Dong Q, Tan L, Yu JT. The role of the immune system in Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 70:101409. [PMID: 34273589 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder where the accumulation of amyloid plaques and the formation of tau tangles are the prominent pathological hallmarks. Increasing preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that different components of the immune system may act as important contributors to AD etiology and pathogenesis. The recognition of misfolded Aβ and tau by immune cells can trigger a series of complex immune responses in AD, and then lead to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. In parallel, genome-wide association studies have also identified several immune related loci associated with increased - risk of AD by interfering with the function of immune cells. Other immune related factors, such as impaired immunometabolism, defective meningeal lymphatic vessels and autoimmunity might also be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Here, we review the data showing the alterations of immune cells in the AD trajectory and seek to demonstrate the crosstalk between the immune cell dysfunction and AD pathology. We then discuss the most relevant research findings in regards to the influences of gene susceptibility of immune cells for AD. We also consider impaired meningeal lymphatics, immunometabolism and autoimmune mechanisms in AD. In addition, immune related biomarkers and immunotherapies for AD are also mentioned in order to offer novel insights for future research.
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413
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Hanslik KL, Marino KM, Ulland TK. Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:718324. [PMID: 34531726 PMCID: PMC8439422 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.718324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS), glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, are normally associated with support roles including contributions to energy metabolism, synaptic plasticity, and ion homeostasis. In addition to providing support for neurons, microglia and astrocytes function as the resident immune cells in the brain. The glial function is impacted by multiple aspects including aging and local CNS changes caused by neurodegeneration. During aging, microglia and astrocytes display alterations in their homeostatic functions. For example, aged microglia and astrocytes exhibit impairments in the lysosome and mitochondrial function as well as in their regulation of synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence suggests that glia can also alter the pathology associated with many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Shifts in the microbiome can impact glial function as well. Disruptions in the microbiome can lead to aberrant microglial and astrocytic reactivity, which can contribute to an exacerbation of disease and neuronal dysfunction. In this review, we will discuss the normal physiological functions of microglia and astrocytes, summarize novel findings highlighting the role of glia in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and examine the contribution of microglia and astrocytes to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra L. Hanslik
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M. Marino
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Tyler K. Ulland
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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414
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Lo CH, Skarica M, Mansoor M, Bhandarkar S, Toro S, Pitt D. Astrocyte Heterogeneity in Multiple Sclerosis: Current Understanding and Technical Challenges. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:726479. [PMID: 34456686 PMCID: PMC8385194 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.726479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of single cell technologies provides the opportunity to characterize complex immune/central nervous system cell assemblies in multiple sclerosis (MS) and to study their cell population structures, network activation and dynamics at unprecedented depths. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of astrocyte subpopulations in MS tissue and discuss the challenges associated with resolving astrocyte heterogeneity with single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq). We further discuss multiplexed imaging techniques as tools for defining population clusters within a spatial context. Finally, we will provide an outlook on how these technologies may aid in answering unresolved questions in MS, such as the glial phenotypes that drive MS progression and/or neuropathological differences between different clinical MS subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih Hung Lo
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mario Skarica
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mohammad Mansoor
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shaan Bhandarkar
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Steven Toro
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - David Pitt
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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415
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van Wageningen TA, Gerrits E, Palacin I Bonson S, Huitinga I, Eggen BJL, van Dam AM. Exploring reported genes of microglia RNA-sequencing data: Uses and considerations. Glia 2021; 69:2933-2946. [PMID: 34409652 PMCID: PMC9291850 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The advent of RNA‐sequencing techniques has made it possible to generate large, unbiased gene expression datasets of tissues and cell types. Several studies describing gene expression data of microglia from Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis have been published, aiming to generate more insight into the role of microglia in these neurological diseases. Though the raw sequencing data are often deposited in open access databases, the most accessible source of data for scientists is what is reported in published manuscripts. We observed a relatively limited overlap in reported differentially expressed genes between various microglia RNA‐sequencing studies from multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's diseases. It was clear that differences in experimental set up influenced the number of overlapping reported genes. However, even when the experimental set up was very similar, we observed that overlap in reported genes could be low. We identified that papers reporting large numbers of differentially expressed microglial genes generally showed higher overlap with other papers. In addition, though the pathology present within the tissue used for sequencing can greatly influence microglia gene expression, often the pathology present in samples used for sequencing was underreported, leaving it difficult to assess the data. Whereas reanalyzing every raw dataset could reduce the variation that contributes to the observed limited overlap in reported genes, this is not feasible for labs without (access to) bioinformatic expertise. In this study, we thus provide an overview of data present in manuscripts and their supplementary files and how these data can be interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thecla A van Wageningen
- Department Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Emma Gerrits
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sara Palacin I Bonson
- Department Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Inge Huitinga
- Neuroimmunology Research Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bart J L Eggen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie van Dam
- Department Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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416
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Ibanez L, Cruchaga C, Fernández MV. Advances in Genetic and Molecular Understanding of Alzheimer's Disease. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1247. [PMID: 34440421 PMCID: PMC8394321 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a common disease of the elderly for which no cure currently exists. After over 30 years of intensive research, we have gained extensive knowledge of the genetic and molecular factors involved and their interplay in disease. These findings suggest that different subgroups of AD may exist. Not only are we starting to treat autosomal dominant cases differently from sporadic cases, but we could be observing different underlying pathological mechanisms related to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, immune dysfunction, and a tau-dependent pathology. Genetic, molecular, and, more recently, multi-omic evidence support each of these scenarios, which are highly interconnected but can also point to the different subgroups of AD. The identification of the pathologic triggers and order of events in the disease processes are key to the design of treatments and therapies. Prevention and treatment of AD cannot be attempted using a single approach; different therapeutic strategies at specific disease stages may be appropriate. For successful prevention and treatment, biomarker assays must be designed so that patients can be more accurately monitored at specific points during the course of the disease and potential treatment. In addition, to advance the development of therapeutic drugs, models that better mimic the complexity of the human brain are needed; there have been several advances in this arena. Here, we review significant, recent developments in genetics, omics, and molecular studies that have contributed to the understanding of this disease. We also discuss the implications that these contributions have on medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ibanez
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (L.I.); (C.C.)
- Neurogenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (L.I.); (C.C.)
- Neurogenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8111, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Maria Victoria Fernández
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (L.I.); (C.C.)
- Neurogenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. B8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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417
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Bai B, Vanderwall D, Li Y, Wang X, Poudel S, Wang H, Dey KK, Chen PC, Yang K, Peng J. Proteomic landscape of Alzheimer's Disease: novel insights into pathogenesis and biomarker discovery. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:55. [PMID: 34384464 PMCID: PMC8359598 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics empowers deep profiling of proteome and protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we review the advances and limitations in historic and recent AD proteomic research. Complementary to genetic mapping, proteomic studies not only validate canonical amyloid and tau pathways, but also uncover novel components in broad protein networks, such as RNA splicing, development, immunity, membrane transport, lipid metabolism, synaptic function, and mitochondrial activity. Meta-analysis of seven deep datasets reveals 2,698 differentially expressed (DE) proteins in the landscape of AD brain proteome (n = 12,017 proteins/genes), covering 35 reported AD genes and risk loci. The DE proteins contain cellular markers enriched in neurons, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and epithelial cells, supporting the involvement of diverse cell types in AD pathology. We discuss the hypothesized protective or detrimental roles of selected DE proteins, emphasizing top proteins in "amyloidome" (all biomolecules in amyloid plaques) and disease progression. Comprehensive PTM analysis represents another layer of molecular events in AD. In particular, tau PTMs are correlated with disease stages and indicate the heterogeneity of individual AD patients. Moreover, the unprecedented proteomic coverage of biofluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid and serum, procures novel putative AD biomarkers through meta-analysis. Thus, proteomics-driven systems biology presents a new frontier to link genotype, proteotype, and phenotype, accelerating the development of improved AD models and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Bai
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
- Current address: Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu 210008 Nanjing, China
| | - David Vanderwall
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Yuxin Li
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Xusheng Wang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
- Current address: Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, ND 58202 Grand Forks, USA
| | - Suresh Poudel
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Hong Wang
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Kaushik Kumar Dey
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Ping-Chung Chen
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Ka Yang
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN USA
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418
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Barth M, Bacioglu M, Schwarz N, Novotny R, Brandes J, Welzer M, Mazzitelli S, Häsler LM, Schweighauser M, Wuttke TV, Kronenberg-Versteeg D, Fog K, Ambjørn M, Alik A, Melki R, Kahle PJ, Shimshek DR, Koch H, Jucker M, Tanriöver G. Microglial inclusions and neurofilament light chain release follow neuronal α-synuclein lesions in long-term brain slice cultures. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:54. [PMID: 34380535 PMCID: PMC8356412 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00471-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteopathic brain lesions are a hallmark of many age-related neurodegenerative diseases including synucleinopathies and develop at least a decade before the onset of clinical symptoms. Thus, understanding of the initiation and propagation of such lesions is key for developing therapeutics to delay or halt disease progression. METHODS Alpha-synuclein (αS) inclusions were induced in long-term murine and human slice cultures by seeded aggregation. An αS seed-recognizing human antibody was tested for blocking seeding and/or spreading of the αS lesions. Release of neurofilament light chain (NfL) into the culture medium was assessed. RESULTS To study initial stages of α-synucleinopathies, we induced αS inclusions in murine hippocampal slice cultures by seeded aggregation. Induction of αS inclusions in neurons was apparent as early as 1week post-seeding, followed by the occurrence of microglial inclusions in vicinity of the neuronal lesions at 2-3 weeks. The amount of αS inclusions was dependent on the type of αS seed and on the culture's genetic background (wildtype vs A53T-αS genotype). Formation of αS inclusions could be monitored by neurofilament light chain protein release into the culture medium, a fluid biomarker of neurodegeneration commonly used in clinical settings. Local microinjection of αS seeds resulted in spreading of αS inclusions to neuronally connected hippocampal subregions, and seeding and spreading could be inhibited by an αS seed-recognizing human antibody. We then applied parameters of the murine cultures to surgical resection-derived adult human long-term neocortical slice cultures from 22 to 61-year-old donors. Similarly, in these human slice cultures, proof-of-principle induction of αS lesions was achieved at 1week post-seeding in combination with viral A53T-αS expressions. CONCLUSION The successful translation of these brain cultures from mouse to human with the first reported induction of human αS lesions in a true adult human brain environment underlines the potential of this model to study proteopathic lesions in intact mouse and now even aged human brain environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Barth
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mehtap Bacioglu
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Niklas Schwarz
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Renata Novotny
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Janine Brandes
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marc Welzer
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sonia Mazzitelli
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lisa M. Häsler
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Manuel Schweighauser
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas V. Wuttke
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Deborah Kronenberg-Versteeg
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Karina Fog
- Division of Neuroscience, H. Lundbeck A/S, 2500 Valby, Denmark
| | - Malene Ambjørn
- Division of Neuroscience, H. Lundbeck A/S, 2500 Valby, Denmark
| | - Ania Alik
- MIRCen, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Institut François Jacob, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Ronald Melki
- MIRCen, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Institut François Jacob, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Philipp J. Kahle
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Derya R. Shimshek
- Neuroscience Research, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henner Koch
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mathias Jucker
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gaye Tanriöver
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
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419
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Janowski M, Milewska M, Zare P, Pękowska A. Chromatin Alterations in Neurological Disorders and Strategies of (Epi)Genome Rescue. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:765. [PMID: 34451862 PMCID: PMC8399958 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders (NDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions that affect the function of the nervous system. Often incurable, NDs have profound and detrimental consequences on the affected individuals' lives. NDs have complex etiologies but commonly feature altered gene expression and dysfunctions of the essential chromatin-modifying factors. Hence, compounds that target DNA and histone modification pathways, the so-called epidrugs, constitute promising tools to treat NDs. Yet, targeting the entire epigenome might reveal insufficient to modify a chosen gene expression or even unnecessary and detrimental to the patients' health. New technologies hold a promise to expand the clinical toolkit in the fight against NDs. (Epi)genome engineering using designer nucleases, including CRISPR-Cas9 and TALENs, can potentially help restore the correct gene expression patterns by targeting a defined gene or pathway, both genetically and epigenetically, with minimal off-target activity. Here, we review the implication of epigenetic machinery in NDs. We outline syndromes caused by mutations in chromatin-modifying enzymes and discuss the functional consequences of mutations in regulatory DNA in NDs. We review the approaches that allow modifying the (epi)genome, including tools based on TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, and we highlight how these new strategies could potentially change clinical practices in the treatment of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aleksandra Pękowska
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.); (M.M.); (P.Z.)
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420
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Shi Y, Andhey PS, Ising C, Wang K, Snipes LL, Boyer K, Lawson S, Yamada K, Qin W, Manis M, Serrano JR, Benitez BA, Schmidt RE, Artyomov M, Ulrich JD, Holtzman DM. Overexpressing low-density lipoprotein receptor reduces tau-associated neurodegeneration in relation to apoE-linked mechanisms. Neuron 2021; 109:2413-2426.e7. [PMID: 34157306 PMCID: PMC8349883 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
APOE is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. ApoE exacerbates tau-associated neurodegeneration by driving microglial activation. However, how apoE regulates microglial activation and whether targeting apoE is therapeutically beneficial in tauopathy is unclear. Here, we show that overexpressing an apoE metabolic receptor, LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor), in P301S tauopathy mice markedly reduces brain apoE and ameliorates tau pathology and neurodegeneration. LDLR overexpression (OX) in microglia cell-autonomously downregulates microglial Apoe expression and is associated with suppressed microglial activation as in apoE-deficient microglia. ApoE deficiency and LDLR OX strongly drive microglial immunometabolism toward enhanced catabolism over anabolism, whereas LDLR-overexpressing microglia also uniquely upregulate specific ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors upon activation. ApoE-deficient and LDLR-overexpressing mice harbor enlarged pools of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and show greater preservation of myelin integrity under neurodegenerative conditions. They also show less reactive astrocyte activation in the setting of tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shi
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Christina Ising
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bonn and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Kairuo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lisa L Snipes
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kevin Boyer
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Stephanie Lawson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kaoru Yamada
- Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Wei Qin
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Melissa Manis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Bruno A Benitez
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Robert E Schmidt
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Maxim Artyomov
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bonn and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Jason D Ulrich
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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421
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Morabito S, Miyoshi E, Michael N, Shahin S, Martini AC, Head E, Silva J, Leavy K, Perez-Rosendahl M, Swarup V. Single-nucleus chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic characterization of Alzheimer's disease. Nat Genet 2021; 53:1143-1155. [PMID: 34239132 PMCID: PMC8766217 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00894-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The gene-regulatory landscape of the brain is highly dynamic in health and disease, coordinating a menagerie of biological processes across distinct cell types. Here, we present a multi-omic single-nucleus study of 191,890 nuclei in late-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD), accessible through our web portal, profiling chromatin accessibility and gene expression in the same biological samples and uncovering vast cellular heterogeneity. We identified cell-type-specific, disease-associated candidate cis-regulatory elements and their candidate target genes, including an oligodendrocyte-associated regulatory module containing links to APOE and CLU. We describe cis-regulatory relationships in specific cell types at a subset of AD risk loci defined by genome-wide association studies, demonstrating the utility of this multi-omic single-nucleus approach. Trajectory analysis of glial populations identified disease-relevant transcription factors, such as SREBF1, and their regulatory targets. Finally, we introduce single-nucleus consensus weighted gene coexpression analysis, a coexpression network analysis strategy robust to sparse single-cell data, and perform a systems-level analysis of the AD transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Morabito
- Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology (MCSB) Program, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Emily Miyoshi
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Neethu Michael
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Saba Shahin
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alessandra Cadete Martini
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Head
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Justine Silva
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kelsey Leavy
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Mari Perez-Rosendahl
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vivek Swarup
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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422
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Sideris-Lampretsas G, Malcangio M. Microglial heterogeneity in chronic pain. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 96:279-289. [PMID: 34139287 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we report existing preclinical evidence on how the CNS compartment as well as sex affect microglia functions in health. We highlight that recent advances in transcriptomics analyses have led to thorough characterization of disease-associated microglial states in mice and humans. We then consider the specific scenario of peripheral nerve or tissue injury which induce expression of a specific subset of genes in microglia in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We suggest the intriguing possibility that future studies may disclose the existence of a unique microglia transcriptional profile that is associated with chronic pain conditions. We also collect evidence that microglial activation in pain-related areas of the brain can be observed in models of neuropathic pain in agreement with recent neuroimaging studies in chronic pain patients. Based on the evidence discussed here, we predict that future studies on the neuroimmune interactions in chronic pain should complement our current understanding of microglia functions, but also adventure in using novel approaches such as scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, CYTOF and transmission electron microscopy to provide a more complete characterization of the function, transcriptome and structure of microglia in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Sideris-Lampretsas
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Guys' Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Marzia Malcangio
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Guys' Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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423
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Smit T, Deshayes NAC, Borchelt DR, Kamphuis W, Middeldorp J, Hol EM. Reactive astrocytes as treatment targets in Alzheimer's disease-Systematic review of studies using the APPswePS1dE9 mouse model. Glia 2021; 69:1852-1881. [PMID: 33634529 PMCID: PMC8247905 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes regulate synaptic communication and are essential for proper brain functioning. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) astrocytes become reactive, which is characterized by an increased expression of intermediate filament proteins and cellular hypertrophy. Reactive astrocytes are found in close association with amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposits. Synaptic communication and neuronal network function could be directly modulated by reactive astrocytes, potentially contributing to cognitive decline in AD. In this review, we focus on reactive astrocytes as treatment targets in AD in the APPswePS1dE9 AD mouse model, a widely used model to study amyloidosis and gliosis. We first give an overview of the model; that is, how it was generated, which cells express the transgenes, and the effect of its genetic background on Aβ pathology. Subsequently, to determine whether modifying reactive astrocytes in AD could influence pathogenesis and cognition, we review studies using this mouse model in which interventions were directly targeted at reactive astrocytes or had an indirect effect on reactive astrocytes. Overall, studies specifically targeting astrocytes to reduce astrogliosis showed beneficial effects on cognition, which indicates that targeting astrocytes should be included in developing novel therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Smit
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Swammerdam Institute for Life SciencesCenter for Neuroscience, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Natasja A. C. Deshayes
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Swammerdam Institute for Life SciencesCenter for Neuroscience, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - David R. Borchelt
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Willem Kamphuis
- Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Department of ImmunobiologyBiomedical Primate Research CentreRijswijkThe Netherlands
| | - Elly M. Hol
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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424
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Altered oligodendroglia and astroglia in chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:295-321. [PMID: 34019156 PMCID: PMC8270845 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02322-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive tauopathy found in contact sport athletes, military veterans, and others exposed to repetitive head impacts. White matter rarefaction and axonal loss have been reported in CTE but have not been characterized on a molecular or cellular level. Here, we present RNA sequencing profiles of cell nuclei from postmortem dorsolateral frontal white matter from eight individuals with neuropathologically confirmed CTE and eight age- and sex-matched controls. Analyzing these profiles using unbiased clustering approaches, we identified eighteen transcriptomically distinct cell groups (clusters), reflecting cell types and/or cell states, of which a subset showed differences between CTE and control tissue. Independent in situ methods applied on tissue sections adjacent to that used in the single-nucleus RNA-seq work yielded similar findings. Oligodendrocytes were found to be most severely affected in the CTE white matter samples; they were diminished in number and altered in relative proportions across subtype clusters. Further, the CTE-enriched oligodendrocyte population showed greater abundance of transcripts relevant to iron metabolism and cellular stress response. CTE tissue also demonstrated excessive iron accumulation histologically. In astrocytes, total cell numbers were indistinguishable between CTE and control samples, but transcripts associated with neuroinflammation were elevated in the CTE astrocyte groups compared to controls. These results demonstrate specific molecular and cellular differences in CTE oligodendrocytes and astrocytes and suggest that white matter alterations are a critical aspect of CTE neurodegeneration.
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425
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Xydakis MS, Albers MW, Holbrook EH, Lyon DM, Shih RY, Frasnelli JA, Pagenstecher A, Kupke A, Enquist LW, Perlman S. Post-viral effects of COVID-19 in the olfactory system and their implications. Lancet Neurol 2021; 20:753-761. [PMID: 34339626 PMCID: PMC8324113 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00182-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms by which any upper respiratory virus, including SARS-CoV-2, impairs chemosensory function are not known. COVID-19 is frequently associated with olfactory dysfunction after viral infection, which provides a research opportunity to evaluate the natural course of this neurological finding. Clinical trials and prospective and histological studies of new-onset post-viral olfactory dysfunction have been limited by small sample sizes and a paucity of advanced neuroimaging data and neuropathological samples. Although data from neuropathological specimens are now available, neuroimaging of the olfactory system during the acute phase of infection is still rare due to infection control concerns and critical illness and represents a substantial gap in knowledge. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS The active replication of SARS-CoV-2 within the brain parenchyma (ie, in neurons and glia) has not been proven. Nevertheless, post-viral olfactory dysfunction can be viewed as a focal neurological deficit in patients with COVID-19. Evidence is also sparse for a direct causal relation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and abnormal brain findings at autopsy, and for trans-synaptic spread of the virus from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulb. Taken together, clinical, radiological, histological, ultrastructural, and molecular data implicate inflammation, with or without infection, in either the olfactory epithelium, the olfactory bulb, or both. This inflammation leads to persistent olfactory deficits in a subset of people who have recovered from COVID-19. Neuroimaging has revealed localised inflammation in intracranial olfactory structures. To date, histopathological, ultrastructural, and molecular evidence does not suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is an obligate neuropathogen. WHERE NEXT?: The prevalence of CNS and olfactory bulb pathosis in patients with COVID-19 is not known. We postulate that, in people who have recovered from COVID-19, a chronic, recrudescent, or permanent olfactory deficit could be prognostic for an increased likelihood of neurological sequelae or neurodegenerative disorders in the long term. An inflammatory stimulus from the nasal olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulbs and connected brain regions might accelerate pathological processes and symptomatic progression of neurodegenerative disease. Persistent olfactory impairment with or without perceptual distortions (ie, parosmias or phantosmias) after SARS-CoV-2 infection could, therefore, serve as a marker to identify people with an increased long-term risk of neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Xydakis
- Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Lab, US Department of Defense, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, USA.
| | - Mark W Albers
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric H Holbrook
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dina M Lyon
- Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Lab, US Department of Defense, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Robert Y Shih
- Division of Neuroradiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, US Department of Defense, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Johannes A Frasnelli
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Axel Pagenstecher
- Department of Neuropathology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kupke
- Marburg Virology Institute, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lynn W Enquist
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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426
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Mulder K, Patel AA, Kong WT, Piot C, Halitzki E, Dunsmore G, Khalilnezhad S, Irac SE, Dubuisson A, Chevrier M, Zhang XM, Tam JKC, Lim TKH, Wong RMM, Pai R, Khalil AIS, Chow PKH, Wu SZ, Al-Eryani G, Roden D, Swarbrick A, Chan JKY, Albani S, Derosa L, Zitvogel L, Sharma A, Chen J, Silvin A, Bertoletti A, Blériot C, Dutertre CA, Ginhoux F. Cross-tissue single-cell landscape of human monocytes and macrophages in health and disease. Immunity 2021; 54:1883-1900.e5. [PMID: 34331874 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mononuclear phagocytes (MNPs) encompass dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages (MoMac), which exhibit antimicrobial, homeostatic, and immunoregulatory functions. We integrated 178,651 MNPs from 13 tissues across 41 datasets to generate a MNP single-cell RNA compendium (MNP-VERSE), a publicly available tool to map MNPs and define conserved gene signatures of MNP populations. Next, we generated a MoMac-focused compendium that revealed an array of specialized cell subsets widely distributed across multiple tissues. Specific pathological forms were expanded in cancer and inflammation. All neoplastic tissues contained conserved tumor-associated macrophage populations. In particular, we focused on IL4I1+CD274(PD-L1)+IDO1+ macrophages, which accumulated in the tumor periphery in a T cell-dependent manner via interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and CD40/CD40L-induced maturation from IFN-primed monocytes. IL4I1_Macs exhibited immunosuppressive characteristics through tryptophan degradation and promoted the entry of regulatory T cell into tumors. This integrated analysis provides a robust online-available platform for uniform annotation and dissection of specific macrophage functions in healthy and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Mulder
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Amit Ashok Patel
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Wan Ting Kong
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Cécile Piot
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Evelyn Halitzki
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore; Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Garett Dunsmore
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Shabnam Khalilnezhad
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Sergio Erdal Irac
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Agathe Dubuisson
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Marion Chevrier
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Xiao Meng Zhang
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - John Kit Chung Tam
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Tony Kiat Hon Lim
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, 20 College Road, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Regina Men Men Wong
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A(∗)STAR, 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, #02-01, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Rhea Pai
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A(∗)STAR, 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, #02-01, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | | | - Pierce Kah Hoe Chow
- Division of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Suny Z Wu
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ghamdan Al-Eryani
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel Roden
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jerry Kok Yen Chan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore; Academic Clinical Program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore; Program in Emerging Infectious Disease, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 8, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Lisa Derosa
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Cancer Medicine Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France; Cancer Medicine Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Ile-de-France, France; Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (BIOTHERIS), 1428 Villejuif, France
| | - Ankur Sharma
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A(∗)STAR, 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, #02-01, Singapore 138672, Singapore; Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, the University of Western Australia, PO Box 7214, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Jinmiao Chen
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Aymeric Silvin
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Program in Emerging Infectious Disease, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Camille Blériot
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Charles-Antoine Dutertre
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore; Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 8, Singapore 169856, Singapore.
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A(∗)STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos Building, Singapore 138648, Singapore; Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 8, Singapore 169856, Singapore; Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Claes C, Danhash EP, Hasselmann J, Chadarevian JP, Shabestari SK, England WE, Lim TE, Hidalgo JLS, Spitale RC, Davtyan H, Blurton-Jones M. Plaque-associated human microglia accumulate lipid droplets in a chimeric model of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:50. [PMID: 34301296 PMCID: PMC8305935 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00473-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disease-associated microglia (DAMs), that surround beta-amyloid plaques, represent a transcriptionally-distinct microglial profile in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Activation of DAMs is dependent on triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) in mouse models and the AD TREM2-R47H risk variant reduces microglial activation and plaque association in human carriers. Interestingly, TREM2 has also been identified as a microglial lipid-sensor, and recent data indicates lipid droplet accumulation in aged microglia, that is in turn associated with a dysfunctional proinflammatory phenotype. However, whether lipid droplets (LDs) are present in human microglia in AD and how the R47H mutation affects this remains unknown. METHODS To determine the impact of the TREM2 R47H mutation on human microglial function in vivo, we transplanted wild-type and isogenic TREM2-R47H iPSC-derived microglial progenitors into our recently developed chimeric Alzheimer mouse model. At 7 months of age scRNA-seq and histological analyses were performed. RESULTS Here we report that the transcriptome of human wild-type TREM2 and isogenic TREM2-R47H DAM xenografted microglia (xMGs), isolated from chimeric AD mice, closely resembles that of human atherosclerotic foam cells. In addition, much like foam cells, plaque-bound xMGs are highly enriched in lipid droplets. Somewhat surprisingly and in contrast to a recent in vitro study, TREM2-R47H mutant xMGs exhibit an overall reduction in the accumulation of lipid droplets in vivo. Notably, TREM2-R47H xMGs also show overall reduced reactivity to plaques, including diminished plaque-proximity, reduced CD9 expression, and lower secretion of plaque-associated APOE. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these results indicate lipid droplet accumulation occurs in human DAM xMGs in AD, but is reduced in TREM2-R47H DAM xMGs, as it occurs secondary to TREM2-mediated changes in plaque proximity and reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Claes
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA. .,Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA.
| | - Emma Pascal Danhash
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Jonathan Hasselmann
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA.,Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Jean Paul Chadarevian
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA.,Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Sepideh Kiani Shabestari
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Whitney E England
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tau En Lim
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Jorge Luis Silva Hidalgo
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Robert C Spitale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA.,Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA
| | - Mathew Blurton-Jones
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA. .,Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA. .,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92696, USA. .,Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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428
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Sanmarco LM, Polonio CM, Wheeler MA, Quintana FJ. Functional immune cell-astrocyte interactions. J Exp Med 2021; 218:212503. [PMID: 34292315 PMCID: PMC8302447 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundant glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that control multiple aspects of health and disease. Through their interactions with components of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), astrocytes not only regulate BBB function, they also sense molecules produced by peripheral immune cells, including cytokines. Here, we review the interactions between immune cells and astrocytes and their roles in health and neurological diseases, with a special focus on multiple sclerosis (MS). We highlight known pathways that participate in astrocyte crosstalk with microglia, NK cells, T cells, and other cell types; their contribution to the pathogenesis of neurological diseases; and their potential value as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana M Sanmarco
- Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Carolina M Polonio
- Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Immunology Department, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas IV, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michael A Wheeler
- Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Francisco J Quintana
- Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
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429
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Chen Y, Colonna M. Microglia in Alzheimer's disease at single-cell level. Are there common patterns in humans and mice? J Exp Med 2021; 218:212499. [PMID: 34292312 PMCID: PMC8302448 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular aggregates of amyloid β peptides, intraneuronal tau aggregates, and neuronal death. This pathology triggers activation of microglia. Because variants of genes expressed in microglia correlate with AD risk, microglial response to pathology plausibly impacts disease course. In mouse AD models, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses delineated this response as progressive conversion of homeostatic microglia into disease-associated microglia (DAM); additional reactive microglial populations have been reported in other models of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. We review all of these microglial signatures, highlighting four fundamental patterns: DAM, IFN–microglia, MHC-II microglia, and proliferating microglia. We propose that all reported microglia populations are either just one or a combination, depending on the clustering strategy applied and the disease model. We further review single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data from human AD specimens and discuss reasons for parallels and discrepancies between human and mouse transcriptional profiles. Finally, we outline future directions for delineating the microglial impact in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.,Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
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430
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Toutonji A, Mandava M, Guglietta S, Tomlinson S. Chronic complement dysregulation drives neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury: a transcriptomic study. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:126. [PMID: 34281628 PMCID: PMC8287781 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01226-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the complement system propagates neuroinflammation and brain damage early and chronically after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The complement system is complex and comprises more than 50 components, many of which remain to be characterized in the normal and injured brain. Moreover, complement therapeutic studies have focused on a limited number of histopathological outcomes, which while informative, do not assess the effect of complement inhibition on neuroprotection and inflammation in a comprehensive manner. Using high throughput gene expression technology (NanoString), we simultaneously analyzed complement gene expression profiles with other neuroinflammatory pathway genes at different time points after TBI. We additionally assessed the effects of complement inhibition on neuropathological processes. Analyses of neuroinflammatory genes were performed at days 3, 7, and 28 post injury in male C57BL/6 mice following a controlled cortical impact injury. We also characterized the expression of 59 complement genes at similar time points, and also at 1- and 2-years post injury. Overall, TBI upregulated the expression of markers of astrogliosis, immune cell activation, and cellular stress, and downregulated the expression of neuronal and synaptic markers from day 3 through 28 post injury. Moreover, TBI upregulated gene expression across most complement activation and effector pathways, with an early emphasis on classical pathway genes and with continued upregulation of C2, C3 and C4 expression 2 years post injury. Treatment using the targeted complement inhibitor, CR2-Crry, significantly ameliorated TBI-induced transcriptomic changes at all time points. Nevertheless, some immune and synaptic genes remained dysregulated with CR2-Crry treatment, suggesting adjuvant anti-inflammatory and neurotropic therapy may confer additional neuroprotection. In addition to characterizing complement gene expression in the normal and aging brain, our results demonstrate broad and chronic dysregulation of the complement system after TBI, and strengthen the view that the complement system is an attractive target for TBI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Toutonji
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 204, MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Mamatha Mandava
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 204, MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Silvia Guglietta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 204, MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Stephen Tomlinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 204, MSC 504, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
- Ralph Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401 USA
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431
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Todd BP, Chimenti MS, Luo Z, Ferguson PJ, Bassuk AG, Newell EA. Traumatic brain injury results in unique microglial and astrocyte transcriptomes enriched for type I interferon response. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:151. [PMID: 34225752 PMCID: PMC8259035 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02197-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability that lacks neuroprotective therapies. Following a TBI, secondary injury response pathways are activated and contribute to ongoing neurodegeneration. Microglia and astrocytes are critical neuroimmune modulators with early and persistent reactivity following a TBI. Although histologic glial reactivity is well established, a precise understanding of microglia and astrocyte function following trauma remains unknown. Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice underwent either fluid percussion or sham injury. RNA sequencing of concurrently isolated microglia and astrocytes was conducted 7 days post-injury to evaluate cell-type-specific transcriptional responses to TBI. Dual in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence were used to validate the TBI-induced gene expression changes in microglia and astrocytes and to identify spatial orientation of cells expressing these genes. Comparative analysis was performed between our glial transcriptomes and those from prior reports in mild TBI and other neurologic diseases to determine if severe TBI induces unique states of microglial and astrocyte activation. Results Our findings revealed sustained, lineage-specific transcriptional changes in both microglia and astrocytes, with microglia showing a greater transcriptional response than astrocytes at this subacute time point. Microglia and astrocytes showed overlapping enrichment for genes related to type I interferon signaling and MHC class I antigen presentation. The microglia and astrocyte transcriptional response to severe TBI was distinct from prior reports in mild TBI and other neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion Concurrent lineage-specific analysis revealed novel TBI-specific transcriptional changes; these findings highlight the importance of cell-type-specific analysis of glial reactivity following TBI and may assist with the identification of novel, targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany P Todd
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Michael S Chimenti
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, Bioinformatics Division, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Zili Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Polly J Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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432
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McAlpine CS, Park J, Griciuc A, Kim E, Choi SH, Iwamoto Y, Kiss MG, Christie KA, Vinegoni C, Poller WC, Mindur JE, Chan CT, He S, Janssen H, Wong LP, Downey J, Singh S, Anzai A, Kahles F, Jorfi M, Feruglio PF, Sadreyev RI, Weissleder R, Kleinstiver BP, Nahrendorf M, Tanzi RE, Swirski FK. Astrocytic interleukin-3 programs microglia and limits Alzheimer's disease. Nature 2021; 595:701-706. [PMID: 34262178 PMCID: PMC8934148 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03734-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Communication within the glial cell ecosystem is essential for neuronal and brain health1-3. The influence of glial cells on the accumulation and clearance of β-amyloid (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tau in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is poorly understood, despite growing awareness that these are therapeutically important interactions4,5. Here we show, in humans and mice, that astrocyte-sourced interleukin-3 (IL-3) programs microglia to ameliorate the pathology of AD. Upon recognition of Aβ deposits, microglia increase their expression of IL-3Rα-the specific receptor for IL-3 (also known as CD123)-making them responsive to IL-3. Astrocytes constitutively produce IL-3, which elicits transcriptional, morphological, and functional programming of microglia to endow them with an acute immune response program, enhanced motility, and the capacity to cluster and clear aggregates of Aβ and tau. These changes restrict AD pathology and cognitive decline. Our findings identify IL-3 as a key mediator of astrocyte-microglia cross-talk and a node for therapeutic intervention in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron S McAlpine
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute and Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Park
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Ana Griciuc
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Eunhee Kim
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Se Hoon Choi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Yoshiko Iwamoto
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Máté G Kiss
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen A Christie
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claudio Vinegoni
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wolfram C Poller
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - John E Mindur
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher T Chan
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shun He
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henrike Janssen
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lai Ping Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Downey
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sumnima Singh
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Anzai
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Florian Kahles
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mehdi Jorfi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Paolo Fumene Feruglio
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ruslan I Sadreyev
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin P Kleinstiver
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthias Nahrendorf
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Filip K Swirski
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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433
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De Schepper S, Crowley G, Hong S. Understanding microglial diversity and implications for neuronal function in health and disease. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:507-523. [PMID: 32757416 PMCID: PMC8438703 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic data implicate microglia as central players in brain health and disease, urging the need to better understand what microglia do in the brain. Microglia are critical partners in neuronal wiring and function during development and disease. Emerging literature suggests that microglia have diverse functional roles, raising the intriguing question of which functions of microglia become impaired in disease to undermine proper neuronal function. It is also becoming increasingly clear that microglia exist in heterogeneous cell states. Microglial cell states appear context-dependent, that is, age, sex, location, and health of their microenvironment; these are further influenced by external signaling factors including gut microbiota and lipid metabolites. These data altogether suggest that microglia exist in functional clusters that impact, and are impacted by, surrounding neuronal microenvironment. However, we still lack understanding of how we can translate microglia cell states into function. Here, we summarize the state-of-the-art on the diverse functions of microglia in relation to neuronal health. Then, we discuss heterogeneity during developing, healthy adult and diseased brains, and whether this may be predetermined by origin and/or regulated by local milieu. Finally, we propose that it is critical to gain high-resolution functional discernment into microglia-neuron interactions while preserving the spatial architecture of the tissue. Such insight will reveal specific targets for biomarker and therapeutic development toward microglia-neuron crosstalk in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard Crowley
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Soyon Hong
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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434
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Du H, Wong MY, Zhang T, Santos MN, Hsu C, Zhang J, Yu H, Luo W, Hu F. A multifaceted role of progranulin in regulating amyloid-beta dynamics and responses. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:e202000874. [PMID: 34103390 PMCID: PMC8200295 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of progranulin (PGRN) is a leading cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). PGRN polymorphisms are associated with Alzheimer's disease. PGRN is highly expressed in the microglia near Aβ plaques and influences plaque dynamics and microglial activation. However, the detailed mechanisms remain elusive. Here we report that PGRN deficiency reduces human APP and Aβ levels in the young male but not female mice. PGRN-deficient microglia exhibit increased expression of markers associated with microglial activation, including CD68, galectin-3, TREM2, and GPNMB, specifically near Aβ plaques. In addition, PGRN loss leads to up-regulation of lysosome proteins and an increase in the nuclear localization of TFE3, a transcription factor involved in lysosome biogenesis. Cultured PGRN-deficient microglia show enhanced nuclear translocation of TFE3 and inflammation in response to Aβ fibril treatment. Taken together, our data revealed a sex- and age-dependent effect of PGRN on APP metabolism and a role of PGRN in regulating lysosomal activities and inflammation in plaque-associated microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Du
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Man Ying Wong
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Mariela Nunez Santos
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Charlene Hsu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Junke Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Haiyuan Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Wenjie Luo
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fenghua Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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435
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Yang AC, Kern F, Losada PM, Agam MR, Maat CA, Schmartz GP, Fehlmann T, Stein JA, Schaum N, Lee DP, Calcuttawala K, Vest RT, Berdnik D, Lu N, Hahn O, Gate D, McNerney MW, Channappa D, Cobos I, Ludwig N, Schulz-Schaeffer WJ, Keller A, Wyss-Coray T. Dysregulation of brain and choroid plexus cell types in severe COVID-19. Nature 2021; 595:565-571. [PMID: 34153974 PMCID: PMC8400927 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03710-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 123.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although SARS-CoV-2 primarily targets the respiratory system, patients with and survivors of COVID-19 can suffer neurological symptoms1-3. However, an unbiased understanding of the cellular and molecular processes that are affected in the brains of patients with COVID-19 is missing. Here we profile 65,309 single-nucleus transcriptomes from 30 frontal cortex and choroid plexus samples across 14 control individuals (including 1 patient with terminal influenza) and 8 patients with COVID-19. Although our systematic analysis yields no molecular traces of SARS-CoV-2 in the brain, we observe broad cellular perturbations indicating that barrier cells of the choroid plexus sense and relay peripheral inflammation into the brain and show that peripheral T cells infiltrate the parenchyma. We discover microglia and astrocyte subpopulations associated with COVID-19 that share features with pathological cell states that have previously been reported in human neurodegenerative disease4-6. Synaptic signalling of upper-layer excitatory neurons-which are evolutionarily expanded in humans7 and linked to cognitive function8-is preferentially affected in COVID-19. Across cell types, perturbations associated with COVID-19 overlap with those found in chronic brain disorders and reside in genetic variants associated with cognition, schizophrenia and depression. Our findings and public dataset provide a molecular framework to understand current observations of COVID-19-related neurological disease, and any such disease that may emerge at a later date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fabian Kern
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Patricia M Losada
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Maayan R Agam
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christina A Maat
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Georges P Schmartz
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tobias Fehlmann
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Julian A Stein
- Institute for Neuropathology, Saarland University Hospital and Medical Faculty of Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Nicholas Schaum
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Davis P Lee
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kruti Calcuttawala
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ryan T Vest
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniela Berdnik
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nannan Lu
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Hahn
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David Gate
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - M Windy McNerney
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Divya Channappa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Inma Cobos
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Ludwig
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Walter J Schulz-Schaeffer
- Institute for Neuropathology, Saarland University Hospital and Medical Faculty of Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Keller
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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436
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Li J, Pan L, Pembroke WG, Rexach JE, Godoy MI, Condro MC, Alvarado AG, Harteni M, Chen YW, Stiles L, Chen AY, Wanner IB, Yang X, Goldman SA, Geschwind DH, Kornblum HI, Zhang Y. Conservation and divergence of vulnerability and responses to stressors between human and mouse astrocytes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3958. [PMID: 34172753 PMCID: PMC8233314 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24232-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play important roles in neurological disorders such as stroke, injury, and neurodegeneration. Most knowledge on astrocyte biology is based on studies of mouse models and the similarities and differences between human and mouse astrocytes are insufficiently characterized, presenting a barrier in translational research. Based on analyses of acutely purified astrocytes, serum-free cultures of primary astrocytes, and xenografted chimeric mice, we find extensive conservation in astrocytic gene expression between human and mouse samples. However, the genes involved in defense response and metabolism show species-specific differences. Human astrocytes exhibit greater susceptibility to oxidative stress than mouse astrocytes, due to differences in mitochondrial physiology and detoxification pathways. In addition, we find that mouse but not human astrocytes activate a molecular program for neural repair under hypoxia, whereas human but not mouse astrocytes activate the antigen presentation pathway under inflammatory conditions. Here, we show species-dependent properties of astrocytes, which can be informative for improving translation from mouse models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwen Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lin Pan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William G Pembroke
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica E Rexach
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marlesa I Godoy
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Condro
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alvaro G Alvarado
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mineli Harteni
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yen-Wei Chen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Linsey Stiles
- Department of Endocrinology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Angela Y Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ina B Wanner
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brain Research Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine and Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harley I Kornblum
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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437
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Feringa FM, van der Kant R. Cholesterol and Alzheimer's Disease; From Risk Genes to Pathological Effects. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:690372. [PMID: 34248607 PMCID: PMC8264368 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.690372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
While the central nervous system compromises 2% of our body weight, it harbors up to 25% of the body's cholesterol. Cholesterol levels in the brain are tightly regulated for physiological brain function, but mounting evidence indicates that excessive cholesterol accumulates in Alzheimer's disease (AD), where it may drive AD-associated pathological changes. This seems especially relevant for late-onset AD, as several of the major genetic risk factors are functionally associated with cholesterol metabolism. In this review we discuss the different systems that maintain brain cholesterol metabolism in the healthy brain, and how dysregulation of these processes can lead, or contribute to, Alzheimer's disease. We will also discuss how AD-risk genes might impact cholesterol metabolism and downstream AD pathology. Finally, we will address the major outstanding questions in the field and how recent technical advances in CRISPR/Cas9-gene editing and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-technology can aid to study these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke M. Feringa
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rik van der Kant
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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438
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Park JH, de Lomana ALG, Marzese DM, Juarez T, Feroze A, Hothi P, Cobbs C, Patel AP, Kesari S, Huang S, Baliga NS. A Systems Approach to Brain Tumor Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3152. [PMID: 34202449 PMCID: PMC8269017 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are among the most lethal tumors. Glioblastoma, the most frequent primary brain tumor in adults, has a median survival time of approximately 15 months after diagnosis or a five-year survival rate of 10%; the recurrence rate is nearly 90%. Unfortunately, this prognosis has not improved for several decades. The lack of progress in the treatment of brain tumors has been attributed to their high rate of primary therapy resistance. Challenges such as pronounced inter-patient variability, intratumoral heterogeneity, and drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier hinder progress. A comprehensive, multiscale understanding of the disease, from the molecular to the whole tumor level, is needed to address the intratumor heterogeneity resulting from the coexistence of a diversity of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cell types in the tumor tissue. By contrast, inter-patient variability must be addressed by subtyping brain tumors to stratify patients and identify the best-matched drug(s) and therapies for a particular patient or cohort of patients. Accomplishing these diverse tasks will require a new framework, one involving a systems perspective in assessing the immense complexity of brain tumors. This would in turn entail a shift in how clinical medicine interfaces with the rapidly advancing high-throughput (HTP) technologies that have enabled the omics-scale profiling of molecular features of brain tumors from the single-cell to the tissue level. However, several gaps must be closed before such a framework can fulfill the promise of precision and personalized medicine for brain tumors. Ultimately, the goal is to integrate seamlessly multiscale systems analyses of patient tumors and clinical medicine. Accomplishing this goal would facilitate the rational design of therapeutic strategies matched to the characteristics of patients and their tumors. Here, we discuss some of the technologies, methodologies, and computational tools that will facilitate the realization of this vision to practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H. Park
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (J.H.P.); (S.H.)
| | | | - Diego M. Marzese
- Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa), 07010 Palma, Spain;
| | - Tiffany Juarez
- St. John’s Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA; (T.J.); (S.K.)
| | - Abdullah Feroze
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (A.F.); (A.P.P.)
| | - Parvinder Hothi
- Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA 98122, USA; (P.H.); (C.C.)
- Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
| | - Charles Cobbs
- Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA 98122, USA; (P.H.); (C.C.)
- Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
| | - Anoop P. Patel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (A.F.); (A.P.P.)
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Brotman-Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- St. John’s Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA; (T.J.); (S.K.)
| | - Sui Huang
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (J.H.P.); (S.H.)
| | - Nitin S. Baliga
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (J.H.P.); (S.H.)
- Departments of Microbiology, Biology, and Molecular Engineering Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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439
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Miller S, Blanco MJ. Small molecule therapeutics for neuroinflammation-mediated neurodegenerative disorders. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:871-886. [PMID: 34223157 PMCID: PMC8221257 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00036e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronically activated microglia and the resulting cascade of neuroinflammatory mechanisms have been postulated to play a critical role in neurodegenerative disorders. Microglia are the main component of the brain's innate immune system and become activated by infection, injury, misfolded proteins or a multitude of other stimuli. Activated microglia release pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic factors that can damage neurons and transform astrocytes to become toxic to neurons as well. Therapeutic approaches aiming to modulate microglia activation may be beneficial to mitigate the progression of inflammatory-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. In this literature review, we provide an overview of recent progress on key microglia targets and discovery of small molecule compounds advancing in clinical trials to minimize neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Miller
- Sage Therapeutics, Inc. 215 First Street Cambridge Massachusetts 02142 USA
| | - Maria-Jesus Blanco
- Sage Therapeutics, Inc. 215 First Street Cambridge Massachusetts 02142 USA
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440
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Lananna BV, McKee CA, King MW, Del-Aguila JL, Dimitry JM, Farias FHG, Nadarajah CJ, Xiong DD, Guo C, Cammack AJ, Elias JA, Zhang J, Cruchaga C, Musiek ES. Chi3l1/YKL-40 is controlled by the astrocyte circadian clock and regulates neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/574/eaax3519. [PMID: 33328329 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax3519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of glial activation and neuroinflammation are critical factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). YKL-40, a primarily astrocytic protein encoded by the gene Chi3l1, is a widely studied cerebrospinal fluid biomarker that increases with aging and early in AD. However, the function of Chi3l1/YKL-40 in AD is unknown. In a cohort of patients with AD, we observed that a variant in the human CHI3L1 gene, which results in decreased CSF YKL-40 expression, was associated with slower AD progression. At baseline, Chi3l1 deletion in mice had no effect on astrocyte activation while modestly promoting microglial activation. In a mouse APP/PS1 model of AD, Chi3l1 deletion decreased amyloid plaque burden and increased periplaque expression of the microglial lysosomal marker CD68, suggesting that Chi3l1 may suppress glial phagocytic activation and promote amyloid accumulation. Accordingly, Chi3l1 knockdown increased phagocytosis of zymosan particles and of β-amyloid peptide in both astrocytes and microglia in vitro. We further observed that expression of Chi3l1 is regulated by the circadian clock, as deletion of the core clock proteins BMAL1 or CLOCK/NPAS2 strongly suppresses basal Chi3l1 expression, whereas deletion of the negative clock regulators PER1/PER2 increased Chi3l1 expression. Basal Chi3l1 mRNA was nonrhythmic because of a long mRNA half-life in astrocytes. However, inflammatory induction of Chi3l1 was gated by the clock. Our findings reveal Chi3l1/YKL-40 as a modulator of glial phagocytic activation and AD pathogenesis in both mice and humans and suggest that the astrocyte circadian clock regulates inflammatory Chi3l1 induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian V Lananna
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Celia A McKee
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Melvin W King
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jorge L Del-Aguila
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Julie M Dimitry
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Fabiana H G Farias
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Collin J Nadarajah
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David D Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chun Guo
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Alexander J Cammack
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jack A Elias
- Division of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Hope Center for Neurological Disease, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Erik S Musiek
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. .,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Hope Center for Neurological Disease, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
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441
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Lodder C, Scheyltjens I, Stancu IC, Botella Lucena P, Gutiérrez de Ravé M, Vanherle S, Vanmierlo T, Cremers N, Vanrusselt H, Brône B, Hanseeuw B, Octave JN, Bottelbergs A, Movahedi K, Dewachter I. CSF1R inhibition rescues tau pathology and neurodegeneration in an A/T/N model with combined AD pathologies, while preserving plaque associated microglia. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:108. [PMID: 34103079 PMCID: PMC8188790 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01204-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a sequential progression of amyloid plaques (A), neurofibrillary tangles (T) and neurodegeneration (N), constituting ATN pathology. While microglia are considered key contributors to AD pathogenesis, their contribution in the combined presence of ATN pathologies remains incompletely understood. As sensors of the brain microenvironment, microglial phenotypes and contributions are importantly defined by the pathologies in the brain, indicating the need for their analysis in preclinical models that recapitulate combined ATN pathologies, besides their role in A and T models only. Here, we report a new tau-seed model in which amyloid pathology facilitates bilateral tau propagation associated with brain atrophy, thereby recapitulating robust ATN pathology. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that ATN pathology exacerbated microglial activation towards disease-associated microglia states, with a significant upregulation of Apoe as compared to amyloid-only models (A). Importantly, Colony-Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor inhibition preferentially eliminated non-plaque-associated versus plaque associated microglia. The preferential depletion of non-plaque-associated microglia significantly attenuated tau pathology and neuronal atrophy, indicating their detrimental role during ATN progression. Together, our data reveal the intricacies of microglial activation and their contributions to pathology in a model that recapitulates the combined ATN pathologies of AD. Our data may provide a basis for microglia-targeting therapies selectively targeting detrimental microglial populations, while conserving protective populations.
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442
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Stoiljkovic M, Gutierrez KO, Kelley C, Horvath TL, Hajós M. TREM2 Deficiency Disrupts Network Oscillations Leading to Epileptic Activity and Aggravates Amyloid-β-Related Hippocampal Pathophysiology in Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 88:837-847. [PMID: 34120899 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic mutations in triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) have been strongly associated with increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other progressive dementias. In the brain, TREM2 protein is specifically expressed on microglia suggesting their active involvement in driving disease pathology. Using various transgenic AD models to interfere with microglial function through TREM2, several recent studies provided important data indicating a causal link between TREM2 and underlying amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathology. However, mechanisms by which TREM2 contributes to increased predisposition to clinical AD and influences its progression still remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to elucidate the potential contribution of TREM2 on specific oscillatory dynamic changes associated with AD pathophysiology. METHODS Spontaneous and brainstem nucleus pontis oralis stimulation-induced hippocampal oscillation paradigm was used to investigate the impact of TREM2 haploinsufficiency TREM2(Het) or total deficiency TREM2(Hom) on hippocampal network function in wild-type and Aβ overproducing Tg2576 mice under urethane anesthesia. RESULTS Partial (TREM2(Het)) or total (TREM2(Hom)) deletion of TREM2 led to increased incidence of spontaneous epileptiform seizures in both wild-type and Tg2576 mice. Importantly, deficiency of TREM2 in Tg2576 mice significantly diminished power of theta oscillation in the hippocampus elicited by brainstem-stimulation compared to wild-type mice. However, it did not affect hippocampal theta-phase gamma-amplitude coupling significantly, since over a 60%reduction was found in coupling in Tg2576 mice regardless of TREM2 function. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate a role for TREM2-dependent microglial function in the hippocampal neuronal excitability in both wild type and Aβ overproducing mice, whereas deficiency in TREM2 function exacerbates disruptive effects of Aβ on hippocampal network oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Stoiljkovic
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Karel Otero Gutierrez
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Acute Neurology and Pain, Biogen Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Craig Kelley
- Joint Biomedical Engineering Program, The State University of New York-Downstate and New York University-Tandon, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Cognito Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
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443
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Chen JF, Liu K, Hu B, Li RR, Xin W, Chen H, Wang F, Chen L, Li RX, Ren SY, Xiao L, Chan JR, Mei F. Enhancing myelin renewal reverses cognitive dysfunction in a murine model of Alzheimer's disease. Neuron 2021; 109:2292-2307.e5. [PMID: 34102111 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Severe cognitive decline is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to gray matter loss, significant white matter pathology has been identified in AD patients. Here, we characterized the dynamics of myelin generation and loss in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Unexpectedly, we observed a dramatic increase in the rate of new myelin formation in APP/PS1 mice, reminiscent of the robust oligodendroglial response to demyelination. Despite this increase, overall levels of myelination are decreased in the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice and postmortem AD tissue. Genetically or pharmacologically enhancing myelin renewal, by oligodendroglial deletion of the muscarinic M1 receptor or systemic administration of the pro-myelinating drug clemastine, improved the performance of APP/PS1 mice in memory-related tasks and increased hippocampal sharp wave ripples. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of enhancing myelination as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate AD-related cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Fei Chen
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Physiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Rong-Rong Li
- Department of Physiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Wendy Xin
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Rui-Xue Li
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Shu-Yu Ren
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Jonah R Chan
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Feng Mei
- Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
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444
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Williams JB, Cao Q, Yan Z. Transcriptomic analysis of human brains with Alzheimer's disease reveals the altered expression of synaptic genes linked to cognitive deficits. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab123. [PMID: 34423299 PMCID: PMC8374979 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with memory loss and impaired executive function. The molecular underpinnings causing cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease are loosely understood. Here, we performed cross-study large-scale transcriptomic analyses of postmortem prefrontal cortex derived from Alzheimer's disease patients to reveal the role of aberrant gene expression in this disease. We identified that one of the most prominent changes in prefrontal cortex of Alzheimer's disease humans was the downregulation of genes in excitatory and inhibitory neurons that are associated with synaptic functions, particularly the SNARE-binding complex, which is essential for vesicle docking and neurotransmitter release. Comparing genomic data of Alzheimer's disease with proteomic data of cognitive trajectory, we found that many of the lost synaptic genes in Alzheimer's disease encode hub proteins whose increased abundance is required for cognitive stability. This study has revealed potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal B Williams
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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445
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Aires V, Coulon-Bainier C, Pavlovic A, Ebeling M, Schmucki R, Schweitzer C, Kueng E, Gutbier S, Harde E. CD22 Blockage Restores Age-Related Impairments of Microglia Surveillance Capacity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684430. [PMID: 34140954 PMCID: PMC8204252 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the innate immune cells of the brain, are essential for maintaining homeostasis by their ramified, highly motile processes and for orchestrating the immune response to pathological stimuli. They are implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. One commonality of these diseases is their strong correlation with aging as the highest risk factor and studying age-related alterations in microglia physiology and associated signaling mechanism is indispensable for a better understanding of age-related pathomechanisms. CD22 has been identified as a modifier of microglia phagocytosis in a recent study, but not much is known about the function of CD22 in microglia. Here we show that CD22 surface levels are upregulated in aged versus adult microglia. Furthermore, in the amyloid mouse model PS2APP, Aβ-containing microglia also exhibit increased CD22 signal. To assess the impact of CD22 blockage on microglia morphology and dynamics, we have established a protocol to image microglia process motility in acutely prepared brain slices from CX3CR1-GFP reporter mice. We observed a significant reduction of microglial ramification and surveillance capacity in brain slices from aged versus adult mice. The age-related decrease in surveillance can be restored by antibody-mediated CD22 blockage in aged mice, whereas surveillance in adult mice is not affected by CD22 inhibition. Moreover to complement the results obtained in mice, we show that human iPSC-derived macrophages exhibit an increased phagocytic capacity upon CD22 blockage. Downstream analysis of antibody-mediated CD22 inhibition revealed an influence on BMP and TGFβ associated gene networks. Our results demonstrate CD22 as a broad age-associated modulator of microglia functionality with potential implications for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Aires
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Neurology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claire Coulon-Bainier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anto Pavlovic
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ebeling
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roland Schmucki
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Schweitzer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erich Kueng
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Gutbier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Harde
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
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446
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Sun W, Modica S, Dong H, Wolfrum C. Plasticity and heterogeneity of thermogenic adipose tissue. Nat Metab 2021; 3:751-761. [PMID: 34158657 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00417-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The perception of adipose tissue, both in the scientific community and in the general population, has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. While adipose tissue was thought for a long time to be a rather simple lipid storage entity, it is now recognized as a highly heterogeneous organ and a critical regulator of systemic metabolism, composed of many different subtypes of cells, with important endocrine functions. Additionally, adipose tissue is nowadays recognized to contribute to energy turnover, due to the presence of specialized thermogenic adipocytes, which can be found in many adipose depots. This review discusses the unprecedented insights that we have gained into the heterogeneity of thermogenic adipocytes and their respective precursors due to the technical developments in single-cell and nucleus technologies. These methodological advances have increased our understanding of how adipose tissue catabolic function is influenced by developmental and intercellular communication events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfei Sun
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Modica
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Hua Dong
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Christian Wolfrum
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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447
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When Good Kinases Go Rogue: GSK3, p38 MAPK and CDKs as Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's and Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115911. [PMID: 34072862 PMCID: PMC8199025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a mostly sporadic brain disorder characterized by cognitive decline resulting from selective neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex whereas Huntington's disease (HD) is a monogenic inherited disorder characterized by motor abnormalities and psychiatric disturbances resulting from selective neurodegeneration in the striatum. Although there have been numerous clinical trials for these diseases, they have been unsuccessful. Research conducted over the past three decades by a large number of laboratories has demonstrated that abnormal actions of common kinases play a key role in the pathogenesis of both AD and HD as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Prominent among these kinases are glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and some of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). After a brief summary of the molecular and cell biology of AD and HD this review covers what is known about the role of these three groups of kinases in the brain and in the pathogenesis of the two neurodegenerative disorders. The potential of targeting GSK3, p38 MAPK and CDKS as effective therapeutics is also discussed as is a brief discussion on the utilization of recently developed drugs that simultaneously target two or all three of these groups of kinases. Multi-kinase inhibitors either by themselves or in combination with strategies currently being used such as immunotherapy or secretase inhibitors for AD and knockdown for HD could represent a more effective therapeutic approach for these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.
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448
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Matejuk A, Vandenbark AA, Offner H. Cross-Talk of the CNS With Immune Cells and Functions in Health and Disease. Front Neurol 2021; 12:672455. [PMID: 34135852 PMCID: PMC8200536 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.672455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system's role is much more than merely recognizing self vs. non-self and involves maintaining homeostasis and integrity of the organism starting from early development to ensure proper organ function later in life. Unlike other systems, the central nervous system (CNS) is separated from the peripheral immune machinery that, for decades, has been envisioned almost entirely as detrimental to the nervous system. New research changes this view and shows that blood-borne immune cells (both adaptive and innate) can provide homeostatic support to the CNS via neuroimmune communication. Neurodegeneration is mostly viewed through the lens of the resident brain immune populations with little attention to peripheral circulation. For example, cognition declines with impairment of peripheral adaptive immunity but not with the removal of microglia. Therapeutic failures of agents targeting the neuroinflammation framework (inhibiting immune response), especially in neurodegenerative disorders, call for a reconsideration of immune response contributions. It is crucial to understand cross-talk between the CNS and the immune system in health and disease to decipher neurodestructive and neuroprotective immune mechanisms for more efficient therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Matejuk
- Department of Immunology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Arthur A Vandenbark
- Neuroimmunology Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Halina Offner
- Neuroimmunology Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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449
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He L, Davila-Velderrain J, Sumida TS, Hafler DA, Kellis M, Kulminski AM. NEBULA is a fast negative binomial mixed model for differential or co-expression analysis of large-scale multi-subject single-cell data. Commun Biol 2021; 4:629. [PMID: 34040149 PMCID: PMC8155058 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing availability of single-cell data revolutionizes the understanding of biological mechanisms at cellular resolution. For differential expression analysis in multi-subject single-cell data, negative binomial mixed models account for both subject-level and cell-level overdispersions, but are computationally demanding. Here, we propose an efficient NEgative Binomial mixed model Using a Large-sample Approximation (NEBULA). The speed gain is achieved by analytically solving high-dimensional integrals instead of using the Laplace approximation. We demonstrate that NEBULA is orders of magnitude faster than existing tools and controls false-positive errors in marker gene identification and co-expression analysis. Using NEBULA in Alzheimer's disease cohort data sets, we found that the cell-level expression of APOE correlated with that of other genetic risk factors (including CLU, CST3, TREM2, C1q, and ITM2B) in a cell-type-specific pattern and an isoform-dependent manner in microglia. NEBULA opens up a new avenue for the broad application of mixed models to large-scale multi-subject single-cell data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang He
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Jose Davila-Velderrain
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tomokazu S Sumida
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - David A Hafler
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Alexander M Kulminski
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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450
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Davoli-Ferreira M, Thomson CA, McCoy KD. Microbiota and Microglia Interactions in ASD. Front Immunol 2021; 12:676255. [PMID: 34113350 PMCID: PMC8185464 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are serious, highly variable neurodevelopmental disorders, commonly characterized by the manifestation of specific behavioral abnormalities, such as stereotypic behaviors and deficits in social skills, including communication. Although the neurobiological basis for ASD has attracted attention in recent decades, the role of microglial cells, which are the main resident myeloid cell population in the brain, is still controversial and underexplored. Microglia play several fundamental roles in orchestrating brain development and homeostasis. As such, alterations in the intrinsic functions of these cells could be one of the driving forces responsible for the development of various neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD. Microglia are highly sensitive to environmental cues. Amongst the environmental factors known to influence their intrinsic functions, the gut microbiota has emerged as a central player, controlling both microglial maturation and activation. Strikingly, there is now compelling data suggesting that the intestinal microbiota can play a causative role in driving the behavioural changes associated with ASD. Not only is intestinal dysbiosis commonly reported in ASD patients, but therapies targeting the microbiome can markedly alleviate behavioral symptoms. Here we explore the emerging mechanisms by which altered microglial functions could contribute to several major etiological factors of ASD. We then demonstrate how pre- and postnatal environmental stimuli can modulate microglial cell phenotype and function, underpinning the notion that reciprocal interactions between microglia and intestinal microbes could play a crucial role in ASD aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Davoli-Ferreira
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute of Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carolyn A Thomson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute of Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kathy D McCoy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute of Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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