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Cayir S, Sadabad FE, Mecca A, Matuskey D, Zadeh AF. The Relationship of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers and Cognitive Performance in Frontotemporal Dementia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3945509. [PMID: 38410483 PMCID: PMC10896374 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3945509/v2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Objective Currently available literature on the relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and cognitive performance in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is very limited and inconclusive. In this study, we investigated the association of cognition, as measured with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with CSF levels of total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 (p-tau181), and amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ1-42) in a group of patients with FTD and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study with participants selected from the electronic records of patients seen at Yale New Haven Hospital's Memory Clinic, CT, USA. We included 61 patients, 28 with FTD (mean age=64.1) and 33 with AD (mean age=66.8). Results T-tau levels negatively and significantly correlated with total MoCA scores as well as the different MoCA index scores in both the FTD (r=-0.469, p<0.05) and AD (r=-0.545, p<0.01) groups. There were no significant associations with MoCA scores and p-tau181 levels in patients with FTD (r=-0.224, p>0.05), unlike patients with AD, who exhibited significant correlations (r=-0.549, p<0.01). Also, Aβ1-42 levels were not significantly correlated with MoCA scores in either of the FTD and AD groups. Conclusion CSF concentrations of t-tau are inversely correlated to cognitive performance in patients with FTD and both t-tau and p-tau181 in AD. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between clinical cognitive performance and tau-related pathology in FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salih Cayir
- Yale University Radiology and Biomedical Imaging
| | | | - Adam Mecca
- Yale University School of Medicine, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit
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2
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Law AD, Cassar M, Long DM, Chow ES, Giebultowicz JM, Venkataramanan A, Strauss R, Kretzschmar D. FTD-associated mutations in Tau result in a combination of dominant and recessive phenotypes. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105770. [PMID: 35588988 PMCID: PMC9261467 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mutations in the microtubules-associated protein Tau have long been connected with several neurodegenerative diseases, the underlying molecular mechanisms causing these tauopathies are still not fully understood. Studies in various models suggested that dominant gain-of-function effects underlie the pathogenicity of these mutants; however, there is also evidence that the loss of normal physiological functions of Tau plays a role in tauopathies. Previous studies on Tau in Drosophila involved expressing the human Tau protein in the background of the endogenous Tau gene in addition to inducing high expression levels. To study Tau pathology in more physiological conditions, we recently created Drosophila knock-in models that express either wildtype human Tau (hTauWT) or disease-associated mutant hTau (hTauV337M and hTauK369I) in place of the endogenous Drosophila Tau (dTau). Analyzing these flies as homozygotes, we could therefore detect recessive effects of the mutations while identifying dominant effects in heterozygotes. Using memory, locomotion and sleep assays, we found that homozygous mutant hTau flies showed deficits already when quite young whereas in heterozygous flies, disease phenotypes developed with aging. Homozygotes also revealed an increase in microtubule diameter, suggesting that changes in the cytoskeleton underlie the axonal degeneration we observed in these flies. In contrast, heterozygous mutant hTau flies showed abnormal axonal targeting and no detectable changes in microtubules. However, we previously showed that heterozygosity for hTauV337M interfered with synaptic homeostasis in central pacemaker neurons and we now show that heterozygous hTauK369I flies have decreased levels of proteins involved in the release of synaptic vesicles. Taken together, our results demonstrate that both mutations induce a combination of dominant and recessive disease-related phenotypes that provide behavioral and molecular insights into the etiology of Tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Law
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97219, USA
| | - Marlène Cassar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97219, USA
| | - Dani M Long
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97219, USA
| | - Eileen S Chow
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | | | - Anjana Venkataramanan
- Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie und Neurobiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Roland Strauss
- Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie und Neurobiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Doris Kretzschmar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97219, USA.
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3
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Lei P, Ayton S, Bush AI. The essential elements of Alzheimer's disease. J Biol Chem 2020; 296:100105. [PMID: 33219130 PMCID: PMC7948403 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.008207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) directed against the prominent amyloid plaque neuropathology are yet to be proved effective despite many phase 3 clinical trials. There are several other neurochemical abnormalities that occur in the AD brain that warrant renewed emphasis as potential therapeutic targets for this disease. Among those are the elementomic signatures of iron, copper, zinc, and selenium. Here, we review these essential elements of AD for their broad potential to contribute to Alzheimer’s pathophysiology, and we also highlight more recent attempts to translate these findings into therapeutics. A reinspection of large bodies of discovery in the AD field, such as this, may inspire new thinking about pathogenesis and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lei
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, P.R. China; Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Scott Ayton
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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4
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Silva MC, Haggarty SJ. Tauopathies: Deciphering Disease Mechanisms to Develop Effective Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238948. [PMID: 33255694 PMCID: PMC7728099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the pathological accumulation of microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) in the form of neurofibrillary tangles and paired helical filaments in neurons and glia, leading to brain cell death. These diseases include frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can be sporadic or inherited when caused by mutations in the MAPT gene. Despite an incredibly high socio-economic burden worldwide, there are still no effective disease-modifying therapies, and few tau-focused experimental drugs have reached clinical trials. One major hindrance for therapeutic development is the knowledge gap in molecular mechanisms of tau-mediated neuronal toxicity and death. For the promise of precision medicine for brain disorders to be fulfilled, it is necessary to integrate known genetic causes of disease, i.e., MAPT mutations, with an understanding of the dysregulated molecular pathways that constitute potential therapeutic targets. Here, the growing understanding of known and proposed mechanisms of disease etiology will be reviewed, together with promising experimental tau-directed therapeutics, such as recently developed tau degraders. Current challenges faced by the fields of tau research and drug discovery will also be addressed.
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5
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Drosophila Tau Negatively Regulates Translation and Olfactory Long-Term Memory, But Facilitates Footshock Habituation and Cytoskeletal Homeostasis. J Neurosci 2019; 39:8315-8329. [PMID: 31488613 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0391-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the involvement of pathological tau in neurodegenerative dementias is indisputable, its physiological roles have remained elusive in part because its abrogation has been reported without overt phenotypes in mice and Drosophila This was addressed using the recently described Drosophila tauKO and Mi{MIC} mutants and focused on molecular and behavioral analyses. Initially, we show that Drosophila tau (dTau) loss precipitates dynamic cytoskeletal changes in the adult Drosophila CNS and translation upregulation. Significantly, we demonstrate for the first time distinct roles for dTau in adult mushroom body (MB)-dependent neuroplasticity as its downregulation within α'β'neurons impairs habituation. In accord with its negative regulation of translation, dTau loss specifically enhances protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory (PSD-LTM), but not anesthesia-resistant memory. In contrast, elevation of the protein in the MBs yielded premature habituation and depressed PSD-LTM. Therefore, tau loss in Drosophila dynamically alters brain cytoskeletal dynamics and profoundly affects neuronal proteostasis and plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We demonstrate that despite modest sequence divergence, the Drosophila tau (dTau) is a true vertebrate tau ortholog as it interacts with the neuronal microtubule and actin cytoskeleton. Novel physiological roles for dTau in regulation of translation, long-term memory, and footshock habituation are also revealed. These emerging insights on tau physiological functions are invaluable for understanding the molecular pathways and processes perturbed in tauopathies.
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6
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Andrés-Benito P, Gelpi E, Povedano M, Santpere G, Ferrer I. Gene Expression Profile in Frontal Cortex in Sporadic Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-TDP. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2019; 77:608-627. [PMID: 29788265 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nly037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular alterations compromising key metabolic pathways are poorly understood in sporadic frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (sFTLD-TDP). Whole-transcriptome array, RT-qPCR validation, gel electrophoresis, and Western blotting, and mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity were comparatively examined in frontal cortex (area 8) of 16 sFTLD-TDP cases and 14 controls. Assessment of 111 genes by RT-qPCR showed deregulation of 81 genes linked to neurotransmission and synapses, neuronal architecture, cytoskeleton of axons and dendrites, vesicle trafficking, purines, mitochondria, and energy metabolism in sFTLD-TDP. Western blotting studies disclosed downregulation of several mitochondrial subunits encoded by genomic DNA and MT-CO1 encoded by the mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial ETC activity of complexes I, IV, and V was decreased in sFTLD-TDP. These findings provide robust information about downregulation of genes involved in vital biochemical pathways and in synaptic neurotransmission which may help to increase understanding about the biochemical substrates of clinical manifestations in sFTLD-TDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Andrés-Benito
- Neuropathology, Pathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Institute Carlos III, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Ellen Gelpi
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clínic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mónica Povedano
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Gabriel Santpere
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, IBE, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Neuropathology, Pathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Institute Carlos III, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Gerson JE, Farmer KM, Henson N, Castillo-Carranza DL, Carretero Murillo M, Sengupta U, Barrett A, Kayed R. Tau oligomers mediate α-synuclein toxicity and can be targeted by immunotherapy. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:13. [PMID: 29544548 PMCID: PMC5856311 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0245-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have evaluated the efficacy of targeting the toxic, oligomeric form of tau protein by passive immunotherapy in a mouse model of synucleinopathy. Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia are two of the most common neurodegenerative disorders and are primarily characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein in Lewy bodies. However, evidence shows that smaller, oligomeric aggregates are likely the most toxic form of the protein. Moreover, a large body of research suggests that α-synuclein interacts with tau in disease and may act in a synergistic mechanism, implicating tau oligomers as a potential therapeutic target. METHODS We treated seven-month-old mice overexpressing mutated α-synuclein (A53T mice) with tau oligomer-specific monoclonal antibody (TOMA) and a control antibody and assessed both behavioral and pathological phenotypes. RESULTS We found that A53T mice treated with TOMA were protected from cognitive and motor deficits two weeks after a single injection. Levels of toxic tau oligomers were specifically decreased in the brains of TOMA-treated mice. Tau oligomer depletion also protected against dopamine and synaptic protein loss. CONCLUSION These results indicate that targeting tau oligomers is beneficial for a mouse model of synucleinopathy and may be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating diseases in which tau and α-synuclein have a synergistic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Gerson
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Kathleen M Farmer
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Natalie Henson
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Diana L Castillo-Carranza
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Mariana Carretero Murillo
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Alan Barrett
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA. .,Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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8
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Gao J, Wang L, Huntley ML, Perry G, Wang X. Pathomechanisms of TDP-43 in neurodegeneration. J Neurochem 2018; 146:10.1111/jnc.14327. [PMID: 29486049 PMCID: PMC6110993 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration, a term that refers to the progressive loss of structure and function of neurons, is a feature of many neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). There is no cure or treatment available that can prevent or reverse neurodegenerative conditions. The causes of neurodegeneration in these diseases remain largely unknown; yet, an extremely small proportion of these devastating diseases are associated with genetic mutations in proteins involved in a wide range of cellular pathways and processes. Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that the most notable neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, FTLD, and AD, share a common prominent pathological feature known as TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) proteinopathy, which is usually characterized by the presence of aberrant phosphorylation, ubiquitination, cleavage and/or nuclear depletion of TDP-43 in neurons and glial cells. The role of TDP-43 as a neurotoxicity trigger has been well documented in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. As such, the investigation of TDP-43 pathomechanisms in various major neurodegenerative diseases is on the rise. Here, after a discussion of stages of TDP-43 proteinopathy during disease progression in various major neurodegenerative diseases, we review previous and most recent studies about the potential pathomechanisms with a particular emphasis on ALS, FTLD, and AD, and discuss the possibility of targeting TDP-43 as a common therapeutic approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Gao
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Luwen Wang
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mikayla L. Huntley
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Xinglong Wang
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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9
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Voelzmann A, Liew YT, Qu Y, Hahn I, Melero C, Sánchez-Soriano N, Prokop A. Drosophila Short stop as a paradigm for the role and regulation of spectraplakins. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 69:40-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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10
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Lei P, Ayton S, Appukuttan AT, Moon S, Duce JA, Volitakis I, Cherny R, Wood SJ, Greenough M, Berger G, Pantelis C, McGorry P, Yung A, Finkelstein DI, Bush AI. Lithium suppression of tau induces brain iron accumulation and neurodegeneration. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:396-406. [PMID: 27400857 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Lithium is a first-line therapy for bipolar affective disorder. However, various adverse effects, including a Parkinson-like hand tremor, often limit its use. The understanding of the neurobiological basis of these side effects is still very limited. Nigral iron elevation is also a feature of Parkinsonian degeneration that may be related to soluble tau reduction. We found that magnetic resonance imaging T2 relaxation time changes in subjects commenced on lithium therapy were consistent with iron elevation. In mice, lithium treatment lowers brain tau levels and increases nigral and cortical iron elevation that is closely associated with neurodegeneration, cognitive loss and parkinsonian features. In neuronal cultures lithium attenuates iron efflux by lowering tau protein that traffics amyloid precursor protein to facilitate iron efflux. Thus, tau- and amyloid protein precursor-knockout mice were protected against lithium-induced iron elevation and neurotoxicity. These findings challenge the appropriateness of lithium as a potential treatment for disorders where brain iron is elevated (for example, Alzheimer's disease), and may explain lithium-associated motor symptoms in susceptible patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lei
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, China.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - S Ayton
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - A T Appukuttan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - S Moon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - J A Duce
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - I Volitakis
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - R Cherny
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - S J Wood
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - M Greenough
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - G Berger
- ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C Pantelis
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Neural Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - P McGorry
- ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - A Yung
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester and Greater Manchester West NHS Mental Health Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - D I Finkelstein
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - A I Bush
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Interactions Between α-Synuclein and Tau Protein: Implications to Neurodegenerative Disorders. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 60:298-304. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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12
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Voelzmann A, Okenve-Ramos P, Qu Y, Chojnowska-Monga M, del Caño-Espinel M, Prokop A, Sanchez-Soriano N. Tau and spectraplakins promote synapse formation and maintenance through Jun kinase and neuronal trafficking. eLife 2016; 5:e14694. [PMID: 27501441 PMCID: PMC4977155 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms regulating synapse numbers during development and ageing are essential for normal brain function and closely linked to brain disorders including dementias. Using Drosophila, we demonstrate roles of the microtubule-associated protein Tau in regulating synapse numbers, thus unravelling an important cellular requirement of normal Tau. In this context, we find that Tau displays a strong functional overlap with microtubule-binding spectraplakins, establishing new links between two different neurodegenerative factors. Tau and the spectraplakin Short Stop act upstream of a three-step regulatory cascade ensuring adequate delivery of synaptic proteins. This cascade involves microtubule stability as the initial trigger, JNK signalling as the central mediator, and kinesin-3 mediated axonal transport as the key effector. This cascade acts during development (synapse formation) and ageing (synapse maintenance) alike. Therefore, our findings suggest novel explanations for intellectual disability in Tau deficient individuals, as well as early synapse loss in dementias including Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Voelzmann
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Pilar Okenve-Ramos
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yue Qu
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Monika Chojnowska-Monga
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Manuela del Caño-Espinel
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular-Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Fisiología, Universidad de Valladolid-CSIC, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Andreas Prokop
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Sanchez-Soriano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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13
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Papegaey A, Eddarkaoui S, Deramecourt V, Fernandez-Gomez FJ, Pantano P, Obriot H, Machala C, Anquetil V, Camuzat A, Brice A, Maurage CA, Le Ber I, Duyckaerts C, Buée L, Sergeant N, Buée-Scherrer V. Reduced Tau protein expression is associated with frontotemporal degeneration with progranulin mutation. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:74. [PMID: 27435172 PMCID: PMC4952067 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0345-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduction of Tau protein expression was described in 2003 by Zhukareva et al. in a variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) referred to as diagnosis of dementia lacking distinctive histopathology, then re-classified as FTLD with ubiquitin inclusions. However, the analysis of Tau expression in FTLD has not been reconsidered since then. Knowledge of the molecular basis of protein aggregates and genes that are mutated in the FTLD spectrum would enable to determine whether the “Tau-less” is a separate pathological entity or if it belongs to an existing subclass of FTLD. To address this question, we have analyzed Tau expression in the frontal brain areas from control, Alzheimer’s disease and FTLD cases, including FTLD- Tau (MAPT), FTLD-TDP (sporadic, FTLD-TDP-GRN, FTLD-TDP-C9ORF72) and sporadic FTLD-FUS, using western blot and 2D-DIGE (Two-Dimensional fluorescence Difference Gel Electrophoresis) approaches. Surprisingly, we found that most of the FTLD-TDP-GRN brains are characterized by a huge reduction of Tau protein expression without any decrease in Tau mRNA levels. Interestingly, only cases affected by point mutations, rather than cases with total deletion of one GRN allele, seem to be affected by this reduction of Tau protein expression. Moreover, proteomic analysis highlighted correlations between reduced Tau protein level, synaptic impairment and massive reactive astrogliosis in these FTLD-GRN cases. Consistent with a recent study, our data also bring new insights regarding the role of progranulin in neurodegeneration by suggesting its involvement in lysosome and synaptic regulation. Together, our results demonstrate a strong association between progranulin deficiency and reduction of Tau protein expression that could lead to severe neuronal and glial dysfunctions. Our study also indicates that this FTLD-TDP-GRN subgroup could be part as a distinct entity of FTLD classification.
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Unzeta M, Esteban G, Bolea I, Fogel WA, Ramsay RR, Youdim MBH, Tipton KF, Marco-Contelles J. Multi-Target Directed Donepezil-Like Ligands for Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:205. [PMID: 27252617 PMCID: PMC4879129 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HIGHLIGHTS ASS234 is a MTDL compound containing a moiety from Donepezil and the propargyl group from the PF 9601N, a potent and selective MAO B inhibitor. This compound is the most advanced anti-Alzheimer agent for preclinical studies identified in our laboratory.Derived from ASS234 both multipotent donepezil-indolyl (MTDL-1) and donepezil-pyridyl hybrids (MTDL-2) were designed and evaluated as inhibitors of AChE/BuChE and both MAO isoforms. MTDL-2 showed more high affinity toward the four enzymes than MTDL-1.MTDL-3 and MTDL-4, were designed containing the N-benzylpiperidinium moiety from Donepezil, a metal- chelating 8-hydroxyquinoline group and linked to a N-propargyl core and they were pharmacologically evaluated.The presence of the cyano group in MTDL-3, enhanced binding to AChE, BuChE and MAO A. It showed antioxidant behavior and it was able to strongly complex Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III).MTDL-4 showed higher affinity toward AChE, BuChE.MTDL-3 exhibited good brain penetration capacity (ADMET) and less toxicity than Donepezil. Memory deficits in scopolamine-lesioned animals were restored by MTDL-3.MTDL-3 particularly emerged as a ligand showing remarkable potential benefits for its use in AD therapy. Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of adult onset dementia, is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, decline in language skills, and other cognitive impairments. Although its etiology is not completely known, several factors including deficits of acetylcholine, β-amyloid deposits, τ-protein phosphorylation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation are considered to play significant roles in the pathophysiology of this disease. For a long time, AD patients have been treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept®) but with limited therapeutic success. This might be due to the complex multifactorial nature of AD, a fact that has prompted the design of new Multi-Target-Directed Ligands (MTDL) based on the "one molecule, multiple targets" paradigm. Thus, in this context, different series of novel multifunctional molecules with antioxidant, anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory, and metal-chelating properties able to interact with multiple enzymes of therapeutic interest in AD pathology including acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and monoamine oxidases A and B have been designed and assessed biologically. This review describes the multiple targets, the design rationale and an in-house MTDL library, bearing the N-benzylpiperidine motif present in donepezil, linked to different heterocyclic ring systems (indole, pyridine, or 8-hydroxyquinoline) with special emphasis on compound ASS234, an N-propargylindole derivative. The description of the in vitro biological properties of the compounds and discussion of the corresponding structure-activity-relationships allows us to highlight new issues for the identification of more efficient MTDL for use in AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Unzeta
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Esteban
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - Irene Bolea
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Wieslawa A. Fogel
- Department of Hormone Biochemistry, Medical University of LodzLodz, Poland
| | - Rona R. Ramsay
- Biomolecular Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St AndrewsSt. Andrews, UK
| | - Moussa B. H. Youdim
- Department of Pharmacology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Eve Topf and National Parkinson Foundation Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases ResearchHaifa, Israel
| | - Keith F. Tipton
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - José Marco-Contelles
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of General Organic Chemistry, Spanish National Research CouncilMadrid, Spain
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Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that has a role in stabilizing neuronal microtubules and thus in promoting axonal outgrowth. Structurally, tau is a natively unfolded protein, is highly soluble and shows little tendency for aggregation. However, tau aggregation is characteristic of several neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. The mechanisms underlying tau pathology and tau-mediated neurodegeneration are debated, but considerable progress has been made in the field of tau research in recent years, including the identification of new physiological roles for tau in the brain. Here, we review the expression, post-translational modifications and functions of tau in physiology and in pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Wang
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53175 Bonn, Germany.,CAESAR Research Center, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53175 Bonn, Germany.,CAESAR Research Center, 53175 Bonn, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany
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Sancesario GM, Bernardini S. How many biomarkers to discriminate neurodegenerative dementia? Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2015; 52:314-26. [PMID: 26292074 DOI: 10.3109/10408363.2015.1051658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A number of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are currently used for the diagnosis of dementia. Opposite changes in the level of amyloid-β(1-42) versus total tau and phosphorylated-tau181 in the CSF reflect the specific pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain. This panel of biomarkers has proven to be effective to differentiate AD from controls and from the major types of neurodegenerative dementia, and to evaluate the progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD. In the absence of specific biomarkers reflecting the pathologies of the other most common forms of dementia, such as Lewy Body disease, Frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, etc., the evaluation of biomarkers of AD pathology is used, attempting to exclude rather than to confirm AD. Other biomarkers included in the common clinical practice do not clearly relate to the underlying pathology: progranulin (PGRN) is a selective marker of frontotemporal dementia with mutations in the PGRN gene; the 14-3-3 protein is a highly sensitive and specific marker for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, but has to be used carefully in differentiating rapid progressive dementia; and α-synuclein is an emerging candidate biomarker of the different forms of synucleinopathy. This review summarizes several biomarkers of neurodegenerative dementia validated based on the neuropathological processes occurring in brain tissue. Notwithstanding the paucity of pathologically validated biomarkers and their high analytical variability, the combinations of these biomarkers may well represent a key and more precise analytical and diagnostic tool in the complex plethora of degenerative dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia M Sancesario
- a Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology , Santa Lucia Foundation, IRCCS , Rome , Italy and
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- b Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery , Tor Vergata University of Rome , Rome , Italy
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Caillet-Boudin ML, Buée L, Sergeant N, Lefebvre B. Regulation of human MAPT gene expression. Mol Neurodegener 2015; 10:28. [PMID: 26170022 PMCID: PMC4499907 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-015-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of known pathologies involving deregulated Tau expression/metabolism is increasing. Indeed, in addition to tauopathies, which comprise approximately 30 diseases characterized by neuronal aggregation of hyperphosphorylated Tau in brain neurons, this protein has also been associated with various other pathologies such as cancer, inclusion body myositis, and microdeletion/microduplication syndromes, suggesting its possible function in peripheral tissues. In addition to Tau aggregation, Tau deregulation can occur at the expression and/or splicing levels, as has been clearly demonstrated in some of these pathologies. Here, we aim to review current knowledge regarding the regulation of human MAPT gene expression at the DNA and RNA levels to provide a better understanding of its possible deregulation. Several aspects, including repeated motifs, CpG island/methylation, and haplotypes at the DNA level, as well as the key regions involved in mRNA expression and stability and the splicing patterns of different mRNA isoforms at the RNA level, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luc Buée
- Univ. Lille, UMR-S 1172, Inserm, CHU, 59000, Lille, France
| | | | - Bruno Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, UMR-S 1172, Inserm, CHU, 59000, Lille, France
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18
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Lei P, Ayton S, Appukuttan AT, Volitakis I, Adlard PA, Finkelstein DI, Bush AI. Clioquinol rescues Parkinsonism and dementia phenotypes of the tau knockout mouse. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 81:168-75. [PMID: 25796563 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron accumulation and tau protein deposition are pathological features of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD). Soluble tau protein is lower in affected regions of these diseases, and we previously reported that tau knockout mice display motor and cognitive behavioral abnormities, brain atrophy, neuronal death in substantia nigra, and iron accumulation in the brain that all emerged between 6 and 12 months of age. This argues for a loss of tau function in AD and PD. We also showed that treatment with the moderate iron chelator, clioquinol (CQ) restored iron levels and prevented neuronal atrophy and attendant behavioral decline in 12-month old tau KO mice when commenced prior to the onset of deterioration (6 months). However, therapies for AD and PD will need to treat the disease once it is already manifest. So, in the current study, we tested whether CQ could also rescue the phenotype of mice with a developed phenotype. We found that 5-month treatment of symptomatic (13 months old) tau KO mice with CQ increased nigral tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation (which induces activity) and reversed the motor deficits. Treatment also reversed cognitive deficits and raised BDNF levels in the hippocampus, which was accompanied by attenuated brain atrophy, and reduced iron content in the brain. These data raise the possibility that lowering brain iron levels in symptomatic patients could reverse neuronal atrophy and improve brain function, possibly by elevating neurotrophins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lei
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Scott Ayton
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Irene Volitakis
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A Adlard
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David I Finkelstein
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Nalbandian A, Ghimbovschi S, Wang Z, Knoblach S, Llewellyn KJ, Vesa J, Hoffman EP, Kimonis VE. Global gene expression profiling in R155H knock-in murine model of VCP disease. Clin Transl Sci 2014; 8:8-16. [PMID: 25388089 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominant mutations in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene cause inclusion body myopathy associated with Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia, which is characterized by progressive muscle weakness, dysfunction in bone remodeling, and frontotemporal dementia. More recently, VCP has been linked to 2% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. VCP plays a significant role in a plethora of cellular functions including membrane fusion, transcription activation, nuclear envelope reconstruction, postmitotic organelle reassembly, and cell cycle control. To elucidate the pathological mechanisms underlying the VCP disease progression, we have previously generated a VCP(R155H/+) mouse model with the R155H mutation. Histological analyses of mutant muscle showed vacuolization of myofibrils, centrally located nuclei, and disorganized muscle fibers. Global expression profiling of VCP(R155H/+) mice using gene annotations by DAVID identified key dysregulated signaling pathways including genes involved in the physiological system development and function, diseases and disorders, and molecular and cellular functions. There were a total of 212 significantly dysregulated genes, several of which are involved in the regulation of proteasomal function and NF-κB signaling cascade. Findings of the gene expression study were validated by using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses to test genes involved in various signaling cascades. This investigation reveals the importance of the VCP(R155H/+) mouse model in the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms causing VCP-associated neurodegenerative diseases and in the discovery of novel therapeutic advancements and strategies for patients suffering with these debilitating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angèle Nalbandian
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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20
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a progressive disorder of language that is increasingly recognised as an important presentation of a specific spectrum of neurodegenerative conditions. AIMS In an era of etiologically specific treatments for neurodegenerative conditions, it is crucial to establish the histopathologic basis for PPA. In this review, I discuss biomarkers for identifying the pathology underlying PPA. MAIN CONTRIBUTION Clinical syndromes suggest a probabilistic association between a specific PPA variant and an underlying pathology, but there are also many exceptions. A considerable body of work with biomarkers is now emerging as an important addition to clinical diagnosis. I review genetic, neuroimaging and biofluid studies that can help determine the pathologic basis for PPA. CONCLUSIONS Together with careful clinical examination, there is great promise that supplemental biomarker assessments will lead to accurate diagnosis of the pathology associated with PPA during life and serve as the basis for clinical trials in this spectrum of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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21
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Ayton S, Lei P, Bush AI. Metallostasis in Alzheimer's disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2013; 62:76-89. [PMID: 23142767 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.10.558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
2012 has been another year in which multiple large-scale clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have failed to meet their clinical endpoints. With the social and financial burden of this disease increasing every year, the onus is now on the field of AD researchers to investigate alternative ideas to deliver outcomes for patients. Although several major clinical trials targeting Aβ have failed, three smaller clinical trials targeting metal interactions with Aβ have all shown benefit for patients. Here we review the genetic, pathological, biochemical, and pharmacological evidence that underlies the metal hypothesis of AD. The AD-affected brain suffers from metallostasis, or fatigue of metal trafficking, resulting in redistribution of metals into inappropriate compartments. The metal hypothesis is built upon a triad of transition elements: iron, copper, and zinc. The hypothesis has matured from early investigations showing amyloidogenic and oxidative stress consequences of these metals; recently, disease-related proteins, APP, tau, and presenilin, have been shown to have major roles in metal regulation, which provides insight into the pathway of neurodegeneration in AD and illuminates potential new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Ayton
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peng Lei
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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22
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Hare D, Ayton S, Bush A, Lei P. A delicate balance: Iron metabolism and diseases of the brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2013; 5:34. [PMID: 23874300 PMCID: PMC3715022 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2013.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is the most abundant transition metal within the brain, and is vital for a number of cellular processes including neurotransmitter synthesis, myelination of neurons, and mitochondrial function. Redox cycling between ferrous and ferric iron is utilized in biology for various electron transfer reactions essential to life, yet this same chemistry mediates deleterious reactions with oxygen that induce oxidative stress. Consequently, there is a precise and tightly controlled mechanism to regulate iron in the brain. When iron is dysregulated, both conditions of iron overload and iron deficiencies are harmful to the brain. This review focuses on how iron metabolism is maintained in the brain, and how an alteration to iron and iron metabolism adversely affects neurological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Hare
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneVIC, Australia
- Elemental Bio-imaging Facility, University of TechnologySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Scott Ayton
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneVIC, Australia
| | - Ashley Bush
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneVIC, Australia
| | - Peng Lei
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneVIC, Australia
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23
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Irwin DJ, Trojanowski JQ, Grossman M. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for differentiation of frontotemporal lobar degeneration from Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2013; 5:6. [PMID: 23440936 PMCID: PMC3578350 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2013.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate ante mortem diagnosis in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is crucial to the development and implementation of etiology-based therapies. Several neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins, including the major protein constituents of inclusions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ(1-42)) plaque and tau neurofibrillary tangle pathology, can be measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic applications. Comparative studies using autopsy-confirmed samples suggest that CSF total-tau (t-tau) and Aβ(1-42) levels can accurately distinguish FTLD from AD, with a high t-tau to Aβ(1-42) ratio diagnostic of AD; however, there is also an urgent need for FTLD-specific biomarkers. These analytes will require validation in large autopsy-confirmed cohorts and face challenges of standardization of within- and between-laboratory sources of error. In addition, CSF biomarkers with prognostic utility and longitudinal study of CSF biomarker levels over the course of disease are also needed. Current goals in the field include identification of analytes that are easily and reliably measured and can be used alone or in a multi-modal approach to provide an accurate prediction of underlying neuropathology for use in clinical trials of disease modifying treatments in FTLD. To achieve these goals it will be of the utmost importance to view neurodegenerative disease, including FTLD, as a clinicopathological entity, rather than exclusively a clinical syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Irwin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Alzheimer's Disease Core Center, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA ; Department of Neurology, Center for Frontotemporal Dementia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Nalbandian A, Llewellyn KJ, Badadani M, Yin HZ, Nguyen C, Katheria V, Watts G, Mukherjee J, Vesa J, Caiozzo V, Mozaffar T, Weiss JH, Kimonis VE. A progressive translational mouse model of human valosin-containing protein disease: the VCP(R155H/+) mouse. Muscle Nerve 2012; 47:260-70. [PMID: 23169451 DOI: 10.1002/mus.23522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mutations in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene cause hereditary inclusion body myopathy (IBM) associated with Paget disease of bone (PDB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). More recently, these mutations have been linked to 2% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases. A knock-in mouse model offers the opportunity to study VCP-associated pathogenesis. METHODS The VCP(R155H/+) knock-in mouse model was assessed for muscle strength and immunohistochemical, Western blot, apoptosis, autophagy, and microPET/CT imaging analyses. RESULTS VCP(R155H/+) mice developed significant progressive muscle weakness, and the quadriceps and brain developed progressive cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43, ubiquitin-positive inclusion bodies, and increased LC3-II staining. MicroCT analyses revealed Paget-like lesions at the ends of long bones. Spinal cord demonstrated neurodegenerative changes, ubiquitin, and TDP-43 pathology of motor neurons. CONCLUSIONS VCP(R155H/+) knock-in mice represent an excellent preclinical model for understanding VCP-associated disease mechanisms and future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angèle Nalbandian
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, 2501 Hewitt Hall, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92696, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent findings assessing the utility of neuroimaging and biofluid biomarkers are reviewed that help identify patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum abnormality. RECENT FINDINGS Neuroimaging studies using T1 structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) distinguish between patients with FTLD and Alzheimer's disease, although the reliability of these group-level findings in individual patients has been assessed only rarely. However, innovative analyses such as support vector machine approaches are able to integrate T1 and DTI imaging results and to identify specific MRI profiles that distinguish between individual patients with FTLD and Alzheimer's disease. Novel radioligand positron emission tomography assessments also can recognize Alzheimer's disease patients with a clinical phenotype resembling that seen in FTLD. Biofluid studies identify about 15% of patients with FTLD due to a genetic mutation that is associated with the specific histopathologic features of TDP-43 or a tauopathy. Other genetically-based risk factors and targeted proteomic searches of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid have suggested additional markers in sporadic cases of FTLD that will lead to the identification of patients with TDP-43 or tau histopathology. SUMMARY Great progress has been made in developing biomarkers for FTLD, but additional work is needed to extend these advances so that the histopathologic abnormality causing FTLD can be specified in an individual patient.
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The Multiple Faces of Valosin-Containing Protein-Associated Diseases: Inclusion Body Myopathy with Paget’s Disease of Bone, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci 2011; 45:522-31. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-011-9627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Grossman M. Biomarkers to identify the pathological basis for frontotemporal lobar degeneration. J Mol Neurosci 2011; 45:366-71. [PMID: 21833654 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-011-9597-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings assessing the utility of biomarkers are reviewed that help identify the basis for disease in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum pathology. Biofluid studies identify about 15% of patients with FTLD due to a genetic mutation that is associated with the specific histopathologic features of TDP-43 or a tauopathy. Other genetically based risk factors and targeted proteomic searches of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid have suggested additional markers that may be useful in sporadic cases of FTLD. While progress has been made in developing biomarkers for FTLD, additional work is needed to extend these advances so that the histopathologic abnormality causing FTLD can be specified in an individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology-2 Gibson, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
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Delacourte A. Tau, a biological marker of neurodegenerative diseases. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2010; 89:161-72. [PMID: 18631741 DOI: 10.1016/s0072-9752(07)01215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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Badadani M, Nalbandian A, Watts GD, Vesa J, Kitazawa M, Su H, Tanaja J, Dec E, Wallace DC, Mukherjee J, Caiozzo V, Warman M, Kimonis VE. VCP associated inclusion body myopathy and paget disease of bone knock-in mouse model exhibits tissue pathology typical of human disease. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13183. [PMID: 20957154 PMCID: PMC2950155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominant mutations in the valosin containing protein (VCP) gene cause inclusion body myopathy associated with Paget's disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD). We have generated a knock-in mouse model with the common R155H mutation. Mice demonstrate progressive muscle weakness starting approximately at the age of 6 months. Histology of mutant muscle showed progressive vacuolization of myofibrils and centrally located nuclei, and immunostaining shows progressive cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 and ubiquitin-positive inclusion bodies in quadriceps myofibrils and brain. Increased LC3-II staining of muscle sections representing increased number of autophagosomes suggested impaired autophagy. Increased apoptosis was demonstrated by elevated caspase-3 activity and increased TUNEL-positive nuclei. X-ray microtomography (uCT) images show radiolucency of distal femurs and proximal tibiae in knock-in mice and uCT morphometrics shows decreased trabecular pattern and increased cortical wall thickness. Bone histology and bone marrow derived macrophage cultures in these mice revealed increased osteoclastogenesis observed by TRAP staining suggestive of Paget bone disease. The VCP(R155H/+) knock-in mice replicate the muscle, bone and brain pathology of inclusion body myopathy, thus representing a useful model for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallikarjun Badadani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Angèle Nalbandian
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Giles D. Watts
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Jouni Vesa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Masashi Kitazawa
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Hailing Su
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Jasmin Tanaja
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Dec
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Douglas C. Wallace
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Jogeshwar Mukherjee
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Vincent Caiozzo
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, and Orthopedics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew Warman
- Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Virginia E. Kimonis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
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Loss of tau elicits axonal degeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neuroscience 2010; 169:516-31. [PMID: 20434528 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A central issue in the pathogenesis of tauopathy is the question of how tau protein dysfunction leads to neurodegeneration. We have previously demonstrated that the absence of tau protein is associated with destabilization of microtubules and impaired neurite outgrowth (Dawson et al., 2001; Rapoport et al., 2002). We now hypothesize that the absence of functional tau protein may render the central nervous system more vulnerable to secondary insults such as the overexpression of mutated beta amyloid precursor protein (APP) and traumatic brain injury. We therefore crossed tau knockout mice (Dawson et al., 2001) to mice overexpressing a mutated human APP (APP(670,671), A(sw)) (Hsiao et al., 1996) and created a mouse model (A(sw)/mTau(-/-)) that provides evidence that the loss of tau function causes degeneration of neuronal processes. The overexpression of APP(670,671) in tau knockout mice, elicits the extensive formation of axonal spheroids. While spheroids are only found associated with Abeta plaques in mice expressing APP(670,671) on an endogenous mouse tau background (Irizarry et al., 1997), A(sw)/mTau(-/-) mice have spheroids not only surrounding Abeta plaques but also in white matter tracks and in the neuropil. Plaque associated and neuropil dystrophic neurites and spheroids are prominent features of Alzheimer's disease (Masliah et al., 1993; Terry, 1996; Stokin et al., 2005), and our current data suggests that loss of tau function may lead to neurodegeneration.
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Abstract
AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) represent an important differential diagnostic problem in clinical practice. The identification for new biomarkers that would help establishing the diagnosis and primary cause of the dementia is therefore highly relevant. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of three potential CSF biomarkers, total tau protein (t-tau), tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181), and tau protein phosphorylated at serine 199 (p-tau199) in the differential diagnosis of AD and FTLD patients in relatively young age groups. The concentrations of the three CSF biomarkers were measured in 25 FTLD patients, 27 AD patients, and 25 non-demented (ND) subjects. The CSF concentrations of all three markers were significantly higher in AD than in FTLD cases (p < 0.001) or ND controls (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in FTLD compared to the ND group, except for p-tau181 (p = 0.028). When sensitivity was set at 85% or higher, specificity in differentiation between FTLD and AD patients reached 40% for t-tau, 37.5% for p-tau181 and 56% for p-tau199. Improvement of the diagnostic accuracy upon logistic regression analysis with t-tau and p-tau199 as independent variables showed that 22 out of 25 FTLD patients could be correctly classified. In conclusion, none of the markers per se fulfilled the criteria for the „ideal“ marker (sensitivity and specificity higher than 85%). However, combination of t-tau and p-tau199 classified correctly 88% of FTLD patients, thus largely satisfying practical requirements.
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Sergeant N, Bretteville A, Hamdane M, Caillet-Boudin ML, Grognet P, Bombois S, Blum D, Delacourte A, Pasquier F, Vanmechelen E, Schraen-Maschke S, Buée L. Biochemistry of Tau in Alzheimer's disease and related neurological disorders. Expert Rev Proteomics 2008; 5:207-24. [PMID: 18466052 DOI: 10.1586/14789450.5.2.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated Tau proteins belong to a family of factors that polymerize tubulin dimers and stabilize microtubules. Tau is strongly expressed in neurons, localized in the axon and is essential for neuronal plasticity and network. From the very beginning of Tau discovery, proteomics methods have been essential to the knowledge of Tau biochemistry and biology. In this review, we have summarized the main contributions of several proteomic methods in the understanding of Tau, including expression, post-translational modifications and structure, in both physiological and pathophysiological aspects. Finally, recent advances in proteomics technology are essential to develop further therapeutic targets and early predictive and discriminative diagnostic assays for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
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Borroni B, Perani D, Agosti C, Anchisi D, Paghera B, Archetti S, Alberici A, Di Luca M, Padovani A. Tau haplotype influences cerebral perfusion pattern in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and related disorders. Acta Neurol Scand 2008; 117:359-66. [PMID: 18177439 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2007.00955.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The modulating factors on phenotypic expression of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) remain still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether tau genetic variability modulates the brain functional and the clinical phenotypic expression of FTLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical and neurological evaluations, a standardized neuropsychological assessments as well as a brain single photon emission tomography perfusion imaging studies were performed in 48 FTLD patients. Cerebral perfusion patterns were analysed according to H1 or H2 tau haplotypes by statistical parametric mapping and principal component analysis. RESULTS Two different patterns of cerebral dysfunction characterized the haplotypes, as hypoperfusion of frontal medial and cingulated cortex in H2-carriers and a prevalent involvement of posterior parietal regions in H1-carriers. Further, a significant increase of cerebrospinal fluid total tau and phospho tau levels was found in H2-carriers. CONCLUSIONS These findings support a role of tau haplotype in modulating disease phenotype by influencing the hypoperfusion pattern and cerebrospinal fluid tau levels in FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Borroni
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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34
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Axonal transport rates in vivo are unaffected by tau deletion or overexpression in mice. J Neurosci 2008; 28:1682-7. [PMID: 18272688 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5242-07.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated tau expression has been proposed as a possible basis for impaired axonal transport in Alzheimer's disease. To address this hypothesis, we analyzed the movement of pulse radiolabeled proteins in vivo along retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons of mice that lack tau or overexpress human tau isoforms. Here, we show that the global axonal transport rates of slow and fast transport cargoes in axons are not significantly impaired when tau expression is eliminated or increased. In addition, markers of slow transport (neurofilament light subunit) and fast transport (snap25) do not accumulate in retinas and are distributed normally along optic axons in mice that lack or overexpress tau. Finally, ultrastructural analyses revealed no abnormal accumulations of vesicular organelles or neurofilaments in RGC perikarya or axons in mice overexpressing or lacking tau. These results suggest that tau is not essential for axonal transport and that transport rates in vivo are not significantly affected by substantial fluctuations in tau expression.
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35
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36
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Sutherland GT, Nowak G, Halliday GM, Kril JJ. Tau isoform expression in frontotemporal dementia without tau deposition. J Clin Neurosci 2007; 14:1182-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2006.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2006] [Revised: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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37
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Ingelsson M, Ramasamy K, Russ C, Freeman SH, Orne J, Raju S, Matsui T, Growdon JH, Frosch MP, Ghetti B, Brown RH, Irizarry MC, Hyman BT. Increase in the relative expression of tau with four microtubule binding repeat regions in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy brains. Acta Neuropathol 2007; 114:471-9. [PMID: 17721707 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-007-0280-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2006] [Revised: 08/03/2007] [Accepted: 08/03/2007] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Some cases of familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD) leading to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are caused by mutations in tau on chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). Certain mutations alter the ratio between four (4R tau) and three (3R tau) repeat tau isoforms whereas cases with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) mainly have 4R tau brain pathology. We assessed tau mRNA and protein levels in frontal cortex from 15 sporadic FTLD, 21 PSP, 5 CBD, 15 Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 16 control brains. Moreover, we investigated the disease association and possible tau splicing effects of the tau H1 haplotype. Cases with FTLD and PSP had lower tau mRNA levels than control brains. When analyzing 4R tau and 3R tau mRNA separately, control subjects displayed a 4R tau/3R tau ratio of 0.48. Surprisingly, FTLD brains displayed a more elevated ratio (1.32) than PSP brains (1.12). Also, several FTLD and PSP cases had higher 4R tau/3R tau mRNA than FTDP-17 cases, included as reference tissues, and the ratio increase was seen regardless of underlying histopathology, i.e. both for tau-positive and tau-negative FTLD cases. Furthermore, total tau protein levels were slightly decreased in both FTLD and AD as compared to control subjects. Finally, we confirmed the association of tau H1 with PSP, but could not find any haplotype-related effect on tau exon 10 splicing. In conclusion, we demonstrated increased but largely variable 4R tau/3R tau mRNA ratios in FTLD and PSP cases, suggesting heterogeneous pathophysiological processes within these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Ingelsson
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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Pickering-Brown SM. Progranulin and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Acta Neuropathol 2007; 114:39-47. [PMID: 17572900 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-007-0241-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/18/2007] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration is the term used to describe the non-Alzheimer clinical syndromes of frontotemporal dementia, semantic dementia and progressive non-fluent aphasia, regardless of the underlying neuropathological features. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the aetiology of this disorder, notably the identification of mutations in tau and progranulin genes, both on chromosome 17q21. Mutations in tau appear to affect the ability of tau to bind microtubules and/or increase this protein's ability to form fibrils. In contrast, progranulin mutations cause haploinsufficiency leading to TDP-43 accumulation. These genes collectively account for 10-20% of FTLD. However, it is clear that much remains to be discovered before our knowledge of this heterogeneous condition is complete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart M Pickering-Brown
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stopford Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
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39
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Kumar-Singh S, Van Broeckhoven C. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration: current concepts in the light of recent advances. Brain Pathol 2007; 17:104-14. [PMID: 17493044 PMCID: PMC8095552 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2007.00055.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Work done over the past decade has led to a molecular understanding of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a deadly disease that afflicts patients in mid-life. It is a common cause of dementia, second only to Alzheimer's disease in the population below 65 years of age. Neuroanatomical and neurobiological substrates have been identified for the three major subtypes of FTLD and these discoveries have broadened the FTLD spectrum to include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mutations in MAPT were found to cause frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17), a familial disorder with filamentous tau inclusions in nerve cells and glial cells. FTDP-17 can result in clinical syndromes that closely resemble progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and Pick's disease. More recently, mutations in three genes (VCP, CHMP2B and PGRN) have been found to cause FTLD with ubiquitin-positive, tau-negative neuronal inclusions (FTLD-U). They explain a large proportion of inherited FTLD-U. It remains to be seen whether dementia lacking distinctive histopathology (DLDH) constitutes a third disease category, as many of these cases are now being reclassified as FTLD-U. Recently, TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) has been identified as a key protein of the ubiquitin inclusions of FTLD-U and ALS. Thus, for familial forms of FTLD and related disorders, we now know the primary etiologies and accumulating proteins. These findings are pivotal for dissecting the pathways by which different etiologies lead to the varied clinicopathological presentations of FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Kumar-Singh
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group, Department of Molecular Genetics, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, VIB, Institute Born-Bunge and University of Antwerp, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium.
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Dächsel JC, Ross OA, Mata IF, Kachergus J, Toft M, Cannon A, Baker M, Adamson J, Hutton M, Dickson DW, Farrer MJ. Lrrk2 G2019S substitution in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-immunoreactive neuronal inclusions. Acta Neuropathol 2007; 113:601-6. [PMID: 17151837 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-006-0178-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2006] [Revised: 11/16/2006] [Accepted: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation carriers can develop clinical symptoms other than typical parkinsonism such as dementia, amyotrophy or dystonia. To determine if LRRK2 mutations might be involved in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), 5 individuals with multiplex familial FTD kindreds and 41 pathologically confirmed cases of FTD, including 23 with a family history of dementia, were screened for genetic variations in the LRRK2 gene. We identified a LRRK2 mutation leading to the G2019S amino acid substitution in a 79-year-old woman with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitinated neuronal intranuclear inclusions (FTLD-U/NII) and a possible family history of tremor. These findings may be coincidental; however, there is a small nucleus of LRRK2-positive patients displaying atypical features suggesting a role for this protein in other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus C Dächsel
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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41
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Alberici A, Armani M, Paterlini A, Benussi L, Nicosia F, Ghidoni R, Signorini S, Cotelli M, Frisoni GB, Geroldi C, Trevisan CP, Growdon JH, Borroni B, Padovani A, Rossini PM, Binetti G. Tau missing from CSF. J Neurol 2007; 254:107-9. [PMID: 17277912 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-006-0282-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2005] [Accepted: 04/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Götz J, Deters N, Doldissen A, Bokhari L, Ke Y, Wiesner A, Schonrock N, Ittner LM. A decade of tau transgenic animal models and beyond. Brain Pathol 2007; 17:91-103. [PMID: 17493043 PMCID: PMC8095624 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2007.00051.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The first tau transgenic mouse model was established more than a decade ago. Since then, much has been learned about the role of tau in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Animal models, both in vertebrates and invertebrates, were significantly improved and refined as a result of the identification of pathogenic mutations in Tau in human cases of frontotemporal dementia. They have been instrumental for dissecting the cross-talk between tau and the second hallmark lesion of Alzheimer's disease, the Abeta peptide-containing amyloid plaque. We discuss how the tau models have been used to unravel the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, to search for disease modifiers and to develop novel treatment strategies. While tau has received less attention than Abeta, it is rapidly acquiring a more prominent position and the emerging view is one of a synergistic action of Abeta and tau in Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the existence of a number of neurodegenerative diseases with tau pathology in the absence of extracellular deposits underscores the relevance of research on tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Götz
- Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease Laboratory, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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43
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Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (clinical Pick's disease) is a relatively common, but underdiagnosed degenerative disease in the presenium. Estimated prevalence ranges from 6-12% of dementias. The behavioural, aphasic and extrapyramidal presentations are labeled FTD-behavioural variant, Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and Corticobasal Degeneration/Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (CBD/PSP). The diagnostic features and course of each are described and their overlap in the evolution of the illness is emphasized. The neuropathology ranges from the most common tau negative ubiquitin positive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type inclusions to the tau positive classical Pick bodies and more or less distinct changes of PSP and CBD. The genetics of the relatively frequent tau mutations and the yet unsolved problem of tau negative families are discussed. The tau negative cases tend to be associated with the behavioural presentation and semantic dementia and the tau positive ones with PPA and the CBD/PSP syndrome. However the overlap is too great to split the disease. A glossary to navigate the proliferating terminology is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kertesz
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, St. Joseph's Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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44
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Katsuse O, Dickson DW. Ubiquitin immunohistochemistry of frontotemporal lobar degeneration differentiates cases with and without motor neuron disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2006; 19 Suppl 1:S37-43. [PMID: 16317257 DOI: 10.1097/01.wad.0000183889.61421.a8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) without tau pathology is clinically and pathologically heterogeneous. The present report describes the neuropathology of 52 brains with FTLD without tau pathology compared with 10 brains of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) without dementia using ubiquitin immunohistochemistry. The 52 cases were classified into 47 cases of FTLD with motor neuron disease (MND)-type inclusions but without MND (FTLD-MNI), three cases of FTLD with MND (FTLD-MND), and two cases of dementia lacking distinctive histopathology (DLDH) based on the features of ubiquitin-immunoreactive (ubiquitin-ir) structures in the caudate, frontotemporal cortices and dentate fascia, and presence or absence of neuronal loss in lower motor neurons. Many ubiquitin-ir neuronal inclusions and neurites in the caudate nucleus, frontotemporal cortices, and ubiquitin-ir crescent-or ring-shaped neuronal inclusions in the dentate fascia characterized FTLD-MNI. Ubiquitin-ir neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NII) were observed in 26 of 43 cases and associated with many neurites in the caudate nucleus as well as a familial history in most cases. A subset of cases had Pick-body-like inclusions in the dentate fascia and caudate nucleus with paucity of neuritic pathology and no NII; another had crescent-shaped inclusions in the dentate fascia and neuritic pathology with NII in the caudate. FTLD with MND was characterized by a few or no ubiquitin-ir inclusions in the caudate nucleus and frontotemporal cortices and ubiquitin-ir granular inclusions in the dentate fascia, as well as loss of lower motor neurons. These features were similar to ALS, but different from FTLD-MNI. The findings suggest that FTLD-MNI has a different pathogenesis from FTLD-MND and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omi Katsuse
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA
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45
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Pirici D, Vandenberghe R, Rademakers R, Dermaut B, Cruts M, Vennekens K, Cuijt I, Lübke U, Ceuterick C, Martin JJ, Van Broeckhoven C, Kumar-Singh S. Characterization of Ubiquitinated Intraneuronal Inclusions in a Novel Belgian Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Family. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2006; 65:289-301. [PMID: 16651890 DOI: 10.1097/01.jnen.0000205147.39210.c7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common histologic feature in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is intracellular brain inclusions of yet uncharacterized proteins that react with antiubiquitin (Ub) antibodies, but not with tau or synuclein (FTLD-U). We identified a four-generation Belgian FTLD family in which 8 patients had dominantly inherited FTLD. In one patient, we showed frontotemporal atrophy with filamentous Ub-positive intracellular inclusions in absence of tau pathology or any alterations in the levels of soluble tau. We characterized the cellular and subcellular localization and morphology of the inclusions. Ub-positive inclusions predominantly occurred within neurons (>97%), but were also observed within oligodendroglia (approximately 2%) and microglia (<1%), but not within astroglia. Regarding the subcellular localization, the intranuclear inclusions (INI) were up to approximately four-fold more frequent than the cytoplasmic inclusions, although the latter were more specific to neurons. The INIs frequently appeared spindle-shaped and 3-dimensional confocal reconstructions identified flattened, leaf-like structures. Ultrastructurally, straight 10- to 18-nm-diameter filaments constituted the spindle-shaped inclusions that occurred in close proximity to the nuclear membrane. Staining for HSP40, p62, and valosin/p97 was observed in only a minority of the inclusions. Whereas the precise nature of the protein remains elusive, characterization of such familial FTLD-U patients would be helpful in identifying a common denominator in the pathogenesis of familial and the more prevalent sporadic FTLD-U.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pirici
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB8), Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Belgium
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46
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van der Zee J, Rademakers R, Engelborghs S, Gijselinck I, Bogaerts V, Vandenberghe R, Santens P, Caekebeke J, De Pooter T, Peeters K, Lübke U, Van den Broeck M, Martin JJ, Cruts M, De Deyn PP, Van Broeckhoven C, Dermaut B. A Belgian ancestral haplotype harbours a highly prevalent mutation for 17q21-linked tau-negative FTLD. Brain 2006; 129:841-52. [PMID: 16495329 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awl029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Among patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), the respective frequencies of dominant 17q21-linked tau-negative FTLD (with unidentified molecular defect) and 17q21-linked tau-positive FTLD (due to MAPT mutations) remain unknown. Here, in a series of 98 genealogically unrelated Belgian FTLD patients, we identified an ancestral 8 cM MAPT containing haplotype in two patients belonging to multiplex families DR2 and DR8, without demonstrable MAPT mutations, in which FTLD was conclusively linked to 17q21 [maximum summed log of the odds (LOD) score of 5.28 at D17S931]. Interestingly, the same DR2-DR8 ancestral haplotype was observed in five additional familial FTLD patients, indicative of a founder effect. In the FTLD series, the DR2-DR8 ancestral haplotype explained 7% (7 out of 98) of FTLD and 17% (7 out of 42) of familial FTLD and was seven times more frequent than MAPT mutations (1 out of 98 or 1%). Clinically, DR2-DR8 haplotype carriers presented with FTLD often characterized by language impairment, and in one carrier the neuropathological diagnosis was FTLD with rare tau-negative ubiquitin-positive inclusions. Together, these results strongly suggest that the DR2-DR8 founder haplotype at 17q21 harbours a tau-negative FTLD causing mutation that is a much more frequent cause of FTLD in Belgium than MAPT mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie van der Zee
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group, Department of Molecular Genetics, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
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47
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Sjögren M, Andersen C. Frontotemporal dementia—A brief review. Mech Ageing Dev 2006; 127:180-7. [PMID: 16330083 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2005.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2004] [Revised: 03/14/2005] [Accepted: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common type of presenile dementia and the forth most common type of senile dementia, but probably the most costly due to its florid symptom characteristics. Clinically, it often presents with changes of personality, restlessness, disinhibition, and impulsiveness and the clinical features can be complicated by neurological signs, such as motor neuron signs, parkinsonism, and gait disturbances. Syndromatically, FTD can be subdivided into a group with predominating behavioural disturbances (frontal variant) and another with predominating language deterioration (temporal variant). Based on the underlying pathological changes, FTD is nosologically divided into disorders such as Pick's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). The cause in sporadic FTD is most often unknown, but in FTDP-17, one of the hereditary FTDs, there is a causative mutation in the tau gene. The frequency of tau-gene mutations is low in sporadic FTD and present in about 10-40% of hereditary FTD. Other types of hereditary FTD have been described, such as FTD caused by mutations in chromosome 3, chromosome 9, and a FTD syndrome can also be caused by mutations in the presenilin-1 gene. Since there is no curative, treatment of prevailing symptoms is the given alternative. Serotonergic acting drugs have been shown to alleviate behavioural symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Sjögren
- Department of Experimantal Geriatrics, Neurotec, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
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48
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Mackenzie IR, Baker M, West G, Woulfe J, Qadi N, Gass J, Cannon A, Adamson J, Feldman H, Lindholm C, Melquist S, Pettman R, Sadovnick AD, Dwosh E, Whiteheart SW, Hutton M, Pickering-Brown SM. A family with tau-negative frontotemporal dementia and neuronal intranuclear inclusions linked to chromosome 17. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 129:853-67. [PMID: 16401619 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awh724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Over 30 different mutations have now been identified in MAPt that cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, there are several families with FTD that show definite linkage to the region on chromosome 17 that contains MAPt, in which no mutation(s) has been identified. Although these families could have a complex mutation of the MAPt locus that has evaded detection it is also possible that another gene in this region is associated with FTD. This possibility is supported by neuropathological findings in these families, which consist of neuronal inclusions that are immunoreactive for ubiquitin (ub-ir) but not for tau. In addition to neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, several chromosome 17-linked families are reported to have ub-ir neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NII); a finding which is uncommon in sporadic FTD. Here, we describe detailed clinical and neuropathological findings in a new large, multigenerational family with autosomal dominant FTD and autopsy proven tau-negative, ub-ir neuronal cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions. We have demonstrated that this family is linked to a 19.06 cM region of chromosome 17q21 with a maximum multipoint LOD score of 3.911 containing MAPt. By combining the results of our genetic analysis with those previously published for other families with similar pathology, we have further refined the minimal region to a 3.53 cM region of chromosome 17q21. We did not identify point mutations in MAPt by direct sequencing or any gross MAPt gene alterations using fluorescent in situ hybridization. In addition, tau protein extracted from members of this family was unremarkable in size and quantity as assessed by western blotting. Neuropathological characterization of the ub-ir NII in this family shows that they are positive for promyelocytic leukaemia protein (PML) and SUMO-1 that suggests that these inclusions form in the nuclear body and suggests a possible mechanism of neurodegeneration in tau-negative FTD linked to chromosome 17q21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Mackenzie
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Dermaut B, Kumar-Singh S, Rademakers R, Theuns J, Cruts M, Van Broeckhoven C. Tau is central in the genetic Alzheimer–frontotemporal dementia spectrum. Trends Genet 2005; 21:664-72. [PMID: 16221505 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2005.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Revised: 08/11/2005] [Accepted: 09/27/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to the common and genetically complex senile form of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the molecular genetic dissection of inherited presenile dementias has given important mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of degenerative brain disease. Here, we focus on recent genotype-phenotype correlative studies in presenile AD and the frontotemporal dementia (FTD) complex of disorders. Together, these studies suggest that AD and FTD are linked in a genetic spectrum of presenile degenerative brain disorders in which tau appears to be the central player.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Dermaut
- Department of Molecular Genetics (VIB 8), Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
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50
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Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggest that frontotemporal dementia is best viewed as a clinical syndrome even though there are distinct presentations of the behavioral variety, progressive aphasia, semantic dementia, corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy. Similarly the pathology should be regarded as a spectrum even though histological varieties are distinguished. More than half of FTD pathology is associated with ubiquitin positive and tau negative inclusions that are common in ALS. However the majority of FTD cases do not have ALS clinically and relatively few ALS cases develop FTD. The pathological and biochemical varieties can be dichotomized as tau positive and tau negative pathology and biochemistry. The genetics of the tau positive variety is associated with tau mutations and so far the tau negative variety is not, although some are linked to chromosome-17 also. There is a corresponding clinical dichotomy combining the behavioral variety of FTD presentation with semantic dementia and usually ubiquitin positive tau negative pathology on one hand and the association of primary progressive aphasia and cortical basal degeneration/PSP syndrome with tau positive pathology on the other. The overlap between them is too great to establish two separate diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kertesz
- Cognitive Neurology, Department of Psychology, Social Science Centre, SSC 7418, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
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