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Jury-Garfe N, Redding-Ochoa J, You Y, Martínez P, Karahan H, Chimal-Juárez E, Johnson TS, Zhang J, Resnick S, Kim J, Troncoso JC, Lasagna-Reeves CA. Enhanced microglial dynamics and a paucity of tau seeding in the amyloid plaque microenvironment contribute to cognitive resilience in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 148:15. [PMID: 39102080 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02775-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Asymptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AsymAD) describes the status of individuals with preserved cognition but identifiable Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain pathology (i.e., beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposits, neuritic plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles) at autopsy. In this study, we investigated the postmortem brains of a cohort of AsymAD subjects to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying resilience to AD pathology and cognitive decline. Our results showed that AsymAD cases exhibit enrichment in core plaques, decreased filamentous plaque accumulation, and increased plaque-surrounding microglia. Less pathological tau aggregation in dystrophic neurites was found in AsymAD brains than in AD brains, and tau seeding activity was comparable to that in healthy brains. We used spatial transcriptomics to characterize the plaque niche further and revealed autophagy, endocytosis, and phagocytosis as the pathways associated with the genes upregulated in the AsymAD plaque niche. Furthermore, the levels of ARP2 and CAP1, which are actin-based motility proteins that participate in the dynamics of actin filaments to allow cell motility, were increased in the microglia surrounding amyloid plaques in AsymAD cases. Our findings suggest that the amyloid-plaque microenvironment in AsymAD cases is characterized by the presence of microglia with highly efficient actin-based cell motility mechanisms and decreased tau seeding compared with that in AD brains. These two mechanisms can potentially protect against the toxic cascade initiated by Aβ, preserving brain health, and slowing AD pathology progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Jury-Garfe
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Javier Redding-Ochoa
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Yanwen You
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Pablo Martínez
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hande Karahan
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Enrique Chimal-Juárez
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Travis S Johnson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Susan Resnick
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jungsu Kim
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Juan C Troncoso
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Cristian A Lasagna-Reeves
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neurosciences Research Building 214G, 320 West 15th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Kong Y, Cao L, Wang J, Zhuang J, Xie F, Zuo C, Huang Q, Shi K, Rominger A, Li M, Wu P, Guan Y, Ni R. In vivo reactive astrocyte imaging using [ 18F]SMBT-1 in tauopathy and familial Alzheimer's disease mouse models: A multi-tracer study. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123079. [PMID: 38878650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactive astrocytes play an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and primary tauopathies. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationships between reactive astrocytes. Microgliosis and glucose metabolism with Tau and amyloid beta pathology by using multi-tracer imaging in widely used tauopathy and familial Alzheimer's disease mouse models. RESULTS Positron emission tomography imaging using [18F]PM-PBB3 (tau), [18F]florbetapir (amyloid-beta), [18F]SMBT-1 (monoamine oxidase-B), [18F]DPA-714 (translocator protein) and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose was carried out in 3- and 7-month-old rTg4510 tau mice, 5 × FAD familial Alzheimer's disease mice and wild-type mice. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to validate the pathological distribution in the mouse brain after in vivo imaging. We found increased regional levels of [18F]PM-PBB3, [18F]SMBT-1, and [18F]DPA-714 and hypoglucose metabolism in the brains of 7-month-old rTg4510 mice compared to age-matched wild-type mice. Increased [18F]SMBT-1 uptake was observed in the brains of 3, 7-month-old 5 × FAD mice, with elevated regional [18F]florbetapir and [18F]DPA-714 uptakes in the brains of 7-month-old 5 × FAD mice, compared to age-matched wild-type mice. Positive correlations were shown between [18F]SMBT-1 and [18F]PM-PBB3, [18F]DPA-714 and [18F]PM-PBB3 in rTg4510 mice, and between [18F]florbetapir and [18F]DPA-714 SUVRs in 5 × FAD mice. CONCLUSION In summary, these findings provide in vivo evidence that reactive astrocytes, microglial activation, and cerebral hypoglucose metabolism are associated with tau and amyloid pathology development in animal models of tauopathy and familial Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Kong
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Cao
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Inst. Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jiao Wang
- Lab of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyi Zhuang
- Lab of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Xie
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuantao Zuo
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Huang
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuangyu Shi
- Dept. Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Axel Rominger
- Dept. Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ming Li
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Wu
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihui Guan
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ruiqing Ni
- Inst. Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dept. Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland; Inst. Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Perbet R, Mate de Gerando A, Glynn C, Donahue C, Gaona A, Taddei RN, Gomez-Isla T, Lathuiliere A, Hyman BT. In situ seeding assay: A novel technique for direct tissue localization of bioactive tau. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024:nlae059. [PMID: 38917443 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins exhibiting prion-like properties are implicated in tauopathies. The prion-like traits of tau influence disease progression and correlate with severity. Techniques to measure tau bioactivity such as RT-QuIC and biosensor cells lack spatial specificity. Therefore, we developed a histological probe aimed at detecting and localizing bioactive tau in situ. We first induced the recruitment of a tagged probe by bioactive Tau in human brain tissue slices using biosensor cell lysates containing a fluorescent probe. We then enhanced sensitivity and flexibility by designing a recombinant probe with a myc tag. The probe design aimed to replicate the recruitment process seen in prion-like mechanisms based on the cryo-EM structure of tau aggregates in Alzheimer disease (AD). Using this novel probe, we observed selective staining of misfolded tau in pre- and post-synaptic structures within neurofibrillary tangles and neurites, whether or not associated with neuritic plaques. The probe specifically targeted AD-associated bioactive tau and did not recognize bioactive tau from other neurodegenerative diseases. Electron microscopy and immunolabeling further confirmed the identification of fibrillar and non-fibrillar tau. Finally, we established a correlation between quantifying bioactive tau using this technique and gold standard biosensor cells. This technique presents a robust approach for detecting bioactive tau in AD tissues and has potential applications for deciphering mechanisms of tau propagation and degradation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Perbet
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Calina Glynn
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
- Structural Biology, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Donahue
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Angelica Gaona
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Raquel N Taddei
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Gomez-Isla
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Aurelien Lathuiliere
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
- Memory Center, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospital and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
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Cao Z, Kong F, Ding J, Chen C, He F, Deng W. Promoting Alzheimer's disease research and therapy with stem cell technology. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:136. [PMID: 38715083 PMCID: PMC11077895 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03737-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent form of dementia leading to memory loss, reduced cognitive and linguistic abilities, and decreased self-care. Current AD treatments aim to relieve symptoms and slow disease progression, but a cure is elusive due to limited understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. MAIN CONTENT Stem cell technology has the potential to revolutionize AD research. With the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types, stem cells are valuable tools for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell therapy. Recent advances have broadened our understanding beyond the deposition of amyloidβ (Aβ) or tau proteins in AD to encompass risk genes, immune system disorders, and neuron-glia mis-communication, relying heavily on stem cell-derived disease models. These stem cell-based models (e.g., organoids and microfluidic chips) simulate in vivo pathological processes with extraordinary spatial and temporal resolution. Stem cell technologies have the potential to alleviate AD pathology through various pathways, including immunomodulation, replacement of damaged neurons, and neurotrophic support. In recent years, transplantation of glial cells like oligodendrocytes and the infusion of exosomes have become hot research topics. CONCLUSION Although stem cell-based models and therapies for AD face several challenges, such as extended culture time and low differentiation efficiency, they still show considerable potential for AD treatment and are likely to become preferred tools for AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Fanshu Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaqi Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Chunxia Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Fumei He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, 671000, China.
| | - Wenbin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Ayyubova G, Fazal N. Beneficial versus Detrimental Effects of Complement-Microglial Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2024; 14:434. [PMID: 38790413 PMCID: PMC11119363 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Research indicates that brain-region-specific synapse loss and dysfunction are early hallmarks and stronger neurobiological correlates of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) than amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle counts or neuronal loss. Even though the precise mechanisms underlying increased synaptic pruning in AD are still unknown, it has been confirmed that dysregulation of the balance between complement activation and inhibition is a crucial driver of its pathology. The complement includes three distinct activation mechanisms, with the activation products C3a and C5a, potent inflammatory effectors, and a membrane attack complex (MAC) leading to cell lysis. Besides pro-inflammatory cytokines, the dysregulated complement proteins released by activated microglia bind to amyloid β at the synaptic regions and cause the microglia to engulf the synapses. Additionally, research indicating that microglia-removed synapses are not always degenerating and that suppression of synaptic engulfment can repair cognitive deficits points to an essential opportunity for intervention that can prevent the loss of intact synapses. In this study, we focus on the latest research on the role and mechanisms of complement-mediated microglial synaptic pruning at different stages of AD to find the right targets that could interfere with complement dysregulation and be relevant for therapeutic intervention at the early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunel Ayyubova
- Department of Cytology, Embryology and Histology, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku 370022, Azerbaijan;
| | - Nadeem Fazal
- College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL 60628, USA
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de Vries LE, Huitinga I, Kessels HW, Swaab DF, Verhaagen J. The concept of resilience to Alzheimer's Disease: current definitions and cellular and molecular mechanisms. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:33. [PMID: 38589893 PMCID: PMC11003087 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00719-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Some individuals are able to maintain their cognitive abilities despite the presence of significant Alzheimer's Disease (AD) neuropathological changes. This discrepancy between cognition and pathology has been labeled as resilience and has evolved into a widely debated concept. External factors such as cognitive stimulation are associated with resilience to AD, but the exact cellular and molecular underpinnings are not completely understood. In this review, we discuss the current definitions used in the field, highlight the translational approaches used to investigate resilience to AD and summarize the underlying cellular and molecular substrates of resilience that have been derived from human and animal studies, which have received more and more attention in the last few years. From these studies the picture emerges that resilient individuals are different from AD patients in terms of specific pathological species and their cellular reaction to AD pathology, which possibly helps to maintain cognition up to a certain tipping point. Studying these rare resilient individuals can be of great importance as it could pave the way to novel therapeutic avenues for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luuk E de Vries
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Inge Huitinga
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Darricau M, Dou C, Kinet R, Zhu T, Zhou L, Li X, Bedel A, Claverol S, Tokarski C, Katsinelos T, McEwan WA, Zhang L, Gao R, Bourdenx M, Dehay B, Qin C, Bezard E, Planche V. Tau seeds from Alzheimer's disease brains trigger tau spread in macaques while oligomeric-Aβ mediates pathology maturation. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1894-1912. [PMID: 38148705 PMCID: PMC10984505 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The "prion-like" features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) tauopathy and its relationship with amyloid-β (Aβ) have never been experimentally studied in primates phylogenetically close to humans. METHODS We injected 17 macaques in the entorhinal cortex with nanograms of seeding-competent tau aggregates purified from AD brains or control extracts from aged-matched healthy brains, with or without intracerebroventricular co-injections of oligomeric-Aβ. RESULTS Pathological tau injection increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau181 concentration after 18 months. Tau pathology spreads from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampal trisynaptic loop and the cingulate cortex, resuming the experimental progression of Braak stage I to IV. Many AD-related molecular networks were impacted by tau seeds injections regardless of Aβ injections in proteomic analyses. However, we found mature neurofibrillary tangles, increased CSF total-tau concentration, and pre- and postsynaptic degeneration only in Aβ co-injected macaques. DISCUSSION Oligomeric-Aβ mediates the maturation of tau pathology and its neuronal toxicity in macaques but not its initial spreading. HIGHLIGHTS This study supports the "prion-like" properties of misfolded tau extracted from AD brains. This study empirically validates the Braak staging in an anthropomorphic brain. This study highlights the role of oligomeric Aβ in driving the maturation and toxicity of tau pathology. This work establishes a novel animal model of early sporadic AD that is closer to the human pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Darricau
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
| | - Changsong Dou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Remi Kinet
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
| | - Tao Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Li Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Xianglei Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Aurélie Bedel
- CHU de BordeauxService de biochimie, BordeauxUniv. BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | | | | | - Taxiarchis Katsinelos
- UK Dementia Research InstituteDepartment of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - William A. McEwan
- UK Dementia Research InstituteDepartment of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Ling Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Ran Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Mathieu Bourdenx
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
| | - Chuan Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
- Changping National laboratory (CPNL)BeijingChina
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
- Motac NeuroscienceFloiracFrance
| | - Vincent Planche
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
- CHU de Bordeaux, Pôle de Neurosciences CliniquesCentre Mémoire de Ressources et de RechercheBordeauxFrance
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Wen L, Bi D, Shen Y. Complement-mediated synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease: mechanisms and involvement of risk factors. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:135-149. [PMID: 38129195 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The complement system is increasingly recognized as a key player in the synapse loss and cognitive impairments observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In particular, the process of complement-dependent synaptic pruning through phagocytosis is over-activated in AD brains, driving detrimental excessive synapse elimination and contributing to synapse loss, which is the strongest neurobiological correlate of cognitive impairments in AD. Herein we review recent advances in characterizing complement-mediated synapse loss in AD, summarize the underlying mechanisms, and discuss the possible involvement of AD risk factors such as aging and various risk genes. We conclude with an overview of key questions that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Wen
- Department of Neurology and Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Danlei Bi
- Department of Neurology and Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Yong Shen
- Department of Neurology and Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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9
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Taylor LW, Simzer EM, Pimblett C, Lacey-Solymar OTT, McGeachan RI, Meftah S, Rose JL, Spires-Jones MP, Holt K, Catterson JH, Koch H, Liaquat I, Clarke JH, Skidmore J, Smith C, Booker SA, Brennan PM, Spires-Jones TL, Durrant CS. p-tau Ser356 is associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology and is lowered in brain slice cultures using the NUAK inhibitor WZ4003. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:7. [PMID: 38175261 PMCID: PMC10766794 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02667-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation is a common feature of many dementia-causing neurodegenerative diseases. Tau can be phosphorylated at up to 85 different sites, and there is increasing interest in whether tau phosphorylation at specific epitopes, by specific kinases, plays an important role in disease progression. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related enzyme NUAK1 has been identified as a potential mediator of tau pathology, whereby NUAK1-mediated phosphorylation of tau at Ser356 prevents the degradation of tau by the proteasome, further exacerbating tau hyperphosphorylation and accumulation. This study provides a detailed characterisation of the association of p-tau Ser356 with progression of Alzheimer's disease pathology, identifying a Braak stage-dependent increase in p-tau Ser356 protein levels and an almost ubiquitous presence in neurofibrillary tangles. We also demonstrate, using sub-diffraction-limit resolution array tomography imaging, that p-tau Ser356 co-localises with synapses in AD postmortem brain tissue, increasing evidence that this form of tau may play important roles in AD progression. To assess the potential impacts of pharmacological NUAK inhibition in an ex vivo system that retains multiple cell types and brain-relevant neuronal architecture, we treated postnatal mouse organotypic brain slice cultures from wildtype or APP/PS1 littermates with the commercially available NUAK1/2 inhibitor WZ4003. Whilst there were no genotype-specific effects, we found that WZ4003 results in a culture-phase-dependent loss of total tau and p-tau Ser356, which corresponds with a reduction in neuronal and synaptic proteins. By contrast, application of WZ4003 to live human brain slice cultures results in a specific lowering of p-tau Ser356, alongside increased neuronal tubulin protein. This work identifies differential responses of postnatal mouse organotypic brain slice cultures and adult human brain slice cultures to NUAK1 inhibition that will be important to consider in future work developing tau-targeting therapeutics for human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis W Taylor
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Simzer
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire Pimblett
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Robert I McGeachan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Soraya Meftah
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jamie L Rose
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Kristján Holt
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James H Catterson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Henner Koch
- Department of Neurology, Epileptology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Imran Liaquat
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan H Clarke
- The ALBORADA Drug Discovery Institute, University of Cambridge, Island Research Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - John Skidmore
- The ALBORADA Drug Discovery Institute, University of Cambridge, Island Research Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- The Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sam A Booker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul M Brennan
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
- The Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Cancer Research UK Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence, CRUK Edinburgh Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire S Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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10
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Wu C, Ruan T, Yuan Y, Xu C, Du L, Wang F, Xu S. Alterations in Synaptic Connectivity and Synaptic Transmission in Alzheimer's Disease with High Physical Activity. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:1005-1022. [PMID: 38759013 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegeneration disease. Physical activity is one of the most promising modifiable lifestyles that can be effective in slowing down the progression of AD at an early stage. Objective Explore the molecular processes impaired in AD that were conversely preserved and enhanced by physical activity. Methods Integrated transcriptomic analyses were performed in datasets that contain AD patients and elders with different degrees of physical activity. The changes of the hub genes were validated through analyzing another two datasets. The expression of the hub genes was further detected in the hippocampus and cortexes of APP/PS1 transgenic mice with or without physical activity by Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results Cross-comparison highlighted 195 DEGs displaying opposed regulation patterns between AD and high physical activity (HPA). The common DEGs were predominantly involved in synaptic vesicle recycling and synaptic transmission, largely downregulated in AD patients but upregulated in the elders with HPA. Two key modules and four hub genes that were related to synaptic vesicle turnover were obtained from the PPI network. The expression of these hub genes (SYT1, SYT4, SH3GL2, and AP2M1) was significantly decreased in AD transgenic mice and was reversed by HPA training. Conclusions HPA may reverse AD pathology by upregulating a range of synaptic vesicle transport related proteins which might improve the efficiency of synaptic vesicle turnover and facilitate inter-neuronal information transfer. The study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlining the protective effects of HPA on AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingting Ruan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yalan Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunshuang Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijuan Du
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Faculty of Physical Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shujun Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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11
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Malvaso A, Gatti A, Negro G, Calatozzolo C, Medici V, Poloni TE. Microglial Senescence and Activation in Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: Systematic Review and Neuropathological Scoring. Cells 2023; 12:2824. [PMID: 38132144 PMCID: PMC10742050 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The greatest risk factor for neurodegeneration is the aging of the multiple cell types of human CNS, among which microglia are important because they are the "sentinels" of internal and external perturbations and have long lifespans. We aim to emphasize microglial signatures in physiologic brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). A systematic literature search of all published articles about microglial senescence in human healthy aging and AD was performed, searching for PubMed and Scopus online databases. Among 1947 articles screened, a total of 289 articles were assessed for full-text eligibility. Microglial transcriptomic, phenotypic, and neuropathological profiles were analyzed comprising healthy aging and AD. Our review highlights that studies on animal models only partially clarify what happens in humans. Human and mice microglia are hugely heterogeneous. Like a two-sided coin, microglia can be protective or harmful, depending on the context. Brain health depends upon a balance between the actions and reactions of microglia maintaining brain homeostasis in cooperation with other cell types (especially astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). During aging, accumulating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction weaken microglia leading to dystrophic/senescent, otherwise over-reactive, phenotype-enhancing neurodegenerative phenomena. Microglia are crucial for managing Aβ, pTAU, and damaged synapses, being pivotal in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Malvaso
- IRCCS “C. Mondino” Foundation, National Neurological Institute, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alberto Gatti
- IRCCS “C. Mondino” Foundation, National Neurological Institute, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Giulia Negro
- Department of Neurology, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Chiara Calatozzolo
- Department of Neurology and Neuropathology, Golgi-Cenci Foundation, Abbiategrasso, 20081 Milan, Italy;
| | - Valentina Medici
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Tino Emanuele Poloni
- Department of Neurology and Neuropathology, Golgi-Cenci Foundation, Abbiategrasso, 20081 Milan, Italy;
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