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Barba L, Bellomo G, Oeckl P, Chiasserini D, Gaetani L, Torrigiani EG, Paoletti FP, Steinacker P, Abu-Rumeileh S, Parnetti L, Otto M. CSF neurosecretory proteins VGF and neuroserpin in patients with Alzheimer's and Lewy body diseases. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123059. [PMID: 38850771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VGF and neuroserpin are neurosecretory proteins involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to evaluate their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body disease (LBD). METHODS We measured CSF VGF [AQEE] peptide and neuroserpin levels in 108 LBD patients, 76 AD patients and 37 controls, and tested their associations with clinical scores and CSF AD markers. RESULTS We found decreased CSF levels of VGF [AQEE] in patients with LBD and dementia compared to controls (p = 0.016) and patients with AD-dementia (p = 0.011), but with significant influence of age and sex distribution. Moreover, we observed, on the one hand, a significant associations between lower VGF [AQEE] and neuroserpin levels and poorer cognitive performance (i.e., lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores). On the other hand, higher levels of CSF tau proteins, especially pTau181, were significantly associated with higher concentrations of VGF [AQEE] and neuroserpin. Indeed, LBD patients with AD-like CSF profiles, especially T+ profiles, had higher levels of VGF [AQEE] and neuroserpin compared to controls and LBD/T- cases. DISCUSSION CSF VGF [AQEE] and neuroserpin may show a complex relationship with cognitive decline when the levels are reduced, and with AD pathology when levels are increased. They may represent novel markers of neurosecretory impairment in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barba
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Giovanni Bellomo
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrick Oeckl
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Helmholzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Helmholzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Davide Chiasserini
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Gaetani
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Guido Torrigiani
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Federico Paolini Paoletti
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Petra Steinacker
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi 1/8, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Martinelli I, Zucchi E, Simonini C, Gianferrari G, Bedin R, Biral C, Ghezzi A, Fini N, Carra S, Mandrioli J. SerpinA1 levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: An exploratory study. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16054. [PMID: 37679868 PMCID: PMC11235621 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SerpinA1, a serine protease inhibitor, is involved in the modulation of microglial-mediated inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. We explored SerpinA1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients to understand its potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. METHODS SerpinA1, neurofilament light (NfL) and heavy (NfH) chain, and chitinase-3-like protein-1 (CHI3L1) were determined in CSF and serum of ALS patients (n = 110) and healthy controls (n = 10) (automated next-generation ELISA), and correlated with clinical parameters, after identifying three classes of progressors (fast, intermediate, slow). Biomarker levels were analyzed for diagnostic power and association with progression and survival. RESULTS SerpinA1serum was significantly decreased in ALS (median: 1032 μg/mL) compared with controls (1343 μg/mL) (p = 0.02). SerpinA1CSF was elevated only in fast progressors (8.6 μg/mL) compared with slow (4.43 μg/mL, p = 0.01) and intermediate (4.42 μg/mL, p = 0.03) progressors. Moreover, SerpinA1CSF correlated with neurofilament and CHI3L1 levels in CSF. Contrarily to SerpinA1CSF , neurofilament and CHI3L1 concentrations in CSF correlated with measures of disease progression in ALS, while SerpinA1serum mildly related with time to generalization (rho = 0.20, p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, the ratio between serum and CSF SerpinA1 (SerpinA1 ratio) and NfHCSF were independently associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS Higher SerpinA1CSF levels are found in fast progressors, suggesting SerpinA1 is a component of the neuroinflammatory mechanisms acting upon fast-progressing forms of ALS. Both neurofilaments or CHI3L1CSF levels outperformed SerpinA1 at predicting disease progression rate in our cohort, and so the prognostic value of SerpinA1 alone as a measure remains inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of NeurosciencesAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di ModenaModenaItaly
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD ProgramUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of NeurosciencesAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di ModenaModenaItaly
- Neuroscience PhD ProgramUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of NeurosciencesAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di ModenaModenaItaly
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Roberta Bedin
- Department of NeurosciencesAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di ModenaModenaItaly
- Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Chiara Biral
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Andrea Ghezzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Nicola Fini
- Department of NeurosciencesAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di ModenaModenaItaly
| | - Serena Carra
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
- Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of NeurosciencesAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di ModenaModenaItaly
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
- Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
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3
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Cheng Y, Chen T, Hu J. Genetic analysis of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in neuroinflammation from sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14122. [PMID: 37644077 PMCID: PMC10465546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to identify hub genes and pathological mechanisms related to neuroinflammation in Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (SCJD) based on comprehensive bioinformatics. SCJD and normal samples were collected from GSE160208. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and Limma R package were used to obtain key genes, which were used for enrichment and immune cell infiltration analyses. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, cytoHubba, and machine learning were used to screen the central genes of SCJD. The chemicals related to hub genes were predicted and explored by molecular docking. 88 candidate genes were screened. Enrichment analysis showed they were mainly related to bacterial and viral infection and immune cell activation. Immune cell infiltration analysis suggested that immune cell activation and altered activity of the immune system are involved in the progression of SCJD. After identifying hub genes, KIT and SPP1 had higher diagnostic efficacy for SCJD (AUC > 0.9), so they were identified as central genes. The molecular docking results showed hub genes both docked well with Tretinoin. KIT, SPP1, and Tretinoin are essential in developing neuroinflammation in SCJD and may provide new ideas for diagnosing and treating SCJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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4
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Oh S, Jang Y, Na CH. Discovery of Biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis from Human Cerebrospinal Fluid Using Mass-Spectrometry-Based Proteomics. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051250. [PMID: 37238921 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons, which eventually may lead to death. Critical to the mission of developing effective therapies for ALS is the discovery of biomarkers that can illuminate mechanisms of neurodegeneration and have diagnostic, prognostic, or pharmacodynamic value. Here, we merged unbiased discovery-based approaches and targeted quantitative comparative analyses to identify proteins that are altered in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with ALS. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic approaches employing tandem mass tag (TMT) quantification methods from 40 CSF samples comprising 20 patients with ALS and 20 healthy control (HC) individuals identified 53 proteins that are differential between the two groups after CSF fractionation. Notably, these proteins included both previously identified ones, validating our approach, and novel ones that have the potential for expanding biomarker repertoire. The identified proteins were subsequently examined using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) MS methods on 61 unfractionated CSF samples comprising 30 patients with ALS and 31 HC individuals. Fifteen proteins (APOB, APP, CAMK2A, CHI3L1, CHIT1, CLSTN3, ERAP2, FSTL4, GPNMB, JCHAIN, L1CAM, NPTX2, SERPINA1, SERPINA3, and UCHL1) showed significant differences between ALS and the control. Taken together, this study identified multiple novel proteins that are altered in ALS, providing the foundation for developing new biomarkers for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungtaek Oh
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70170, USA
| | - Yura Jang
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chan Hyun Na
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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5
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Santiago JA, Quinn JP, Potashkin JA. Co-Expression Network Analysis Identifies Molecular Determinants of Loneliness Associated with Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065909. [PMID: 36982982 PMCID: PMC10058494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation are detrimental to mental health and may lead to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Although several molecular signatures of loneliness have been identified, the molecular mechanisms by which loneliness impacts the brain remain elusive. Here, we performed a bioinformatics approach to untangle the molecular underpinnings associated with loneliness. Co-expression network analysis identified molecular 'switches' responsible for dramatic transcriptional changes in the nucleus accumbens of individuals with known loneliness. Loneliness-related switch genes were enriched in cell cycle, cancer, TGF-β, FOXO, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. Analysis stratified by sex identified switch genes in males with chronic loneliness. Male-specific switch genes were enriched in infection, innate immunity, and cancer-related pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that loneliness-related switch genes significantly overlapped with 82% and 68% of human studies on Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD), respectively, in gene expression databases. Loneliness-related switch genes, BCAM, NECTIN2, NPAS3, RBM38, PELI1, DPP10, and ASGR2, have been identified as genetic risk factors for AD. Likewise, switch genes HLA-DRB5, ALDOA, and GPNMB are known genetic loci in PD. Similarly, loneliness-related switch genes overlapped in 70% and 64% of human studies on major depressive disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. Nine switch genes, HLA-DRB5, ARHGAP15, COL4A1, RBM38, DMD, LGALS3BP, WSCD2, CYTH4, and CNTRL, overlapped with known genetic variants in depression. Seven switch genes, NPAS3, ARHGAP15, LGALS3BP, DPP10, SMYD3, CPXCR1, and HLA-DRB5 were associated with known risk factors for schizophrenia. Collectively, we identified molecular determinants of loneliness and dysregulated pathways in the brain of non-demented adults. The association of switch genes with known risk factors for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases provides a molecular explanation for the observed prevalence of these diseases among lonely individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Judith A Potashkin
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Therapeutics, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Department, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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6
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Anusha-Kiran Y, Mol P, Dey G, Bhat FA, Chatterjee O, Deolankar SC, Philip M, Prasad TSK, Srinivas Bharath MM, Mahadevan A. Regional heterogeneity in mitochondrial function underlies region specific vulnerability in human brain ageing: Implications for neurodegeneration. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 193:34-57. [PMID: 36195160 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Selective neuronal vulnerability (SNV) of specific neuroanatomical regions such as frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus (HC) is characteristic of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), although its pathogenetic basis remains unresolved. We hypothesized that physiological differences in mitochondrial function in neuroanatomical regions could contribute to SNV. To investigate this, we evaluated mitochondrial function in human brains (age range:1-90 y) in FC, striatum (ST), HC, cerebellum (CB) and medulla oblongata (MD), using enzyme assays and quantitative proteomics. Striking differences were noted in resistant regions- MD and CB compared to the vulnerable regions- FC, HC and ST. At younger age (25 ± 5 y), higher activity of electron transport chain enzymes and upregulation of metabolic and antioxidant proteins were noted in MD compared to FC and HC, that was sustained with increasing age (≥65 y). In contrast, the expression of synaptic proteins was higher in FC, HC and ST (vs. MD). In line with this, quantitative phospho-proteomics revealed activation of upstream regulators (ERS, PPARα) of mitochondrial metabolism and inhibition of synaptic pathways in MD. Microtubule Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) showed overexpression in FC, HC and ST both in young and older age (vs. MD). MAPT hyperphosphorylation and the activation of its kinases were noted in FC and HC with age. Our study demonstrates that regional heterogeneity in mitochondrial and other cellular functions contribute to SNV and protect regions such as MD, while rendering FC and HC vulnerable to NDDs. The findings also support the "last in, first out" hypothesis of ageing, wherein regions such as FC, that are the most recent to develop phylogenetically and ontogenetically, are the first to be affected in ageing and NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarlagadda Anusha-Kiran
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India; Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, NIMHANS, No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - Praseeda Mol
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India; Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, 690525, India
| | - Gourav Dey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Firdous Ahmad Bhat
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Oishi Chatterjee
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India; Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, 690525, India
| | - Sayali Chandrashekhar Deolankar
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Mariamma Philip
- Department of Biostatistics, NIMHANS, No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - T S Keshava Prasad
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India.
| | - M M Srinivas Bharath
- Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, NIMHANS, No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India.
| | - Anita Mahadevan
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India.
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7
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Dwomoh L, Rossi M, Scarpa M, Khajehali E, Molloy C, Herzyk P, Mistry SN, Bottrill AR, Sexton PM, Christopoulos A, Conn J, Lindsley CW, Bradley SJ, Tobin AB. M 1 muscarinic receptor activation reduces the molecular pathology and slows the progression of prion-mediated neurodegenerative disease. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabm3720. [PMID: 36378750 PMCID: PMC7616172 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abm3720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Many dementias are propagated through the spread of "prion-like" misfolded proteins. This includes prion diseases themselves (such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), for which no treatments are available to slow or stop progression. The M1 acetylcholine muscarinic receptor (M1 receptor) is abundant in the brain, and its activity promotes cognitive function in preclinical models and in patients with AD. Here, we investigated whether activation of the M1 receptor might slow the progression of neurodegeneration associated with prion-like misfolded protein in a mouse model of prion disease. Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of the hippocampus revealed that this model had a molecular profile that was similar to that of human neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. Chronic enhancement of the activity of the M1 receptor with the positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0486846 reduced the abundance of prion-induced molecular markers of neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysregulation in the hippocampus and normalized the abundance of those associated with neurotransmission, including synaptic and postsynaptic signaling components. PAM treatment of prion-infected mice prolonged survival and maintained cognitive function. Thus, allosteric activation of M1 receptors may reduce the severity of neurodegenerative diseases caused by the prion-like propagation of misfolded protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Dwomoh
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Mario Rossi
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Miriam Scarpa
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Elham Khajehali
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Colin Molloy
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pawel Herzyk
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Shailesh N Mistry
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Andrew R Bottrill
- Research Technology Platforms, University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Patrick M Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Conn
- Warren Centre for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Warren Centre for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sophie J Bradley
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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8
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Han P, Chen L, Chen D, Yang R, Wang W, Liu J, He S, Zhang H. Upregulated expression of substance P and NK1R in blood monocytes and B cells of patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 210:39-52. [PMID: 36001730 PMCID: PMC9585549 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) has been noticed in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA). However, little is known of the expression of SP and NK1R in monocytes and B cells of AR and AA. In the present study, the expression levels of SP and NK1R were determined by flow cytometry and mouse AR and AA models. The results showed that both percentages of SP+ monocytes and SP+ B cells, and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of SP in monocytes were elevated in the blood of AA and AR combined with AA (ARA) patients. Similarly, the percentages of NK1R+ monocytes were elevated in the blood of AR, AA, and ARA patients. Allergens Artemisia sieversiana wild allergen extract (ASWE), house dust mite extract (HDME), and Platanus pollen allergen extract (PPE) increased the expression density of SP molecules (determined by MFI) in an individual monocyte of AR patients. HDME and PPE appeared to enhance SP and NK1R expression in the B cells of ARA and AR patients. In the mouse AR and AA models, the percentages of NK1R+ monocytes and B cells were elevated in blood following OVA (ovalbumin) sensitization and challenge. Knocking out the FcεRI molecule completely abolished the OVA-induced upregulation of expression of NK1R in monocytes and B cells of AA mice. In conclusion, upregulated expressions of SP and NK1R may contribute to the pathogenesis of airway allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixuan Han
- Department of Pathophysiology, Translational Medicine Institute, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Ruiming Yang
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingyu Liu
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Shaoheng He
- Department of Pathophysiology, Translational Medicine Institute, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Huiyun Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Translational Medicine Institute, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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9
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Specific Cerebrospinal Fluid SerpinA1 Isoform Pattern in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136922. [PMID: 35805926 PMCID: PMC9266332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SerpinA1 (α1-antitrypsin) is a soluble glycoprotein, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isoforms of which showed disease-specific changes in neurodegenerative disorders that are still unexplored in Alz-heimer’s disease (AD). By means of capillary isoelectric focusing immunoassay, we investigated six serpinA1 isoforms in CSF samples of controls (n = 29), AD-MCI (n = 29), AD-dem (n = 26) and Lewy body disease (LBD, n = 59) patients and correlated the findings with CSF AD core biomarkers (Aβ42/40 ratio, p-tau, t-tau). Four CSF serpinA1 isoforms were differently expressed in AD patients compared to controls and LBD patients, especially isoforms 2 and 4. AD-specific changes were found since the MCI stage and significantly correlated with decreased Aβ42/40 (p < 0.05) and in-creased p-tau and t-tau levels in CSF (p < 0.001). Analysis of serpinA1 isoform provided good di-agnostic accuracy in discriminating AD patients versus controls (AUC = 0.80) and versus LBD patients (AUC = 0.92), with best results in patients in the dementia stage (AUC = 0.97). SerpinA1 isoform expression is altered in AD patients, suggesting a common, albeit disease-specific, in-volvement of serpinA1 in most neurodegenerative disorders.
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Higgins NR, Greenslade JE, Wu JJ, Miranda E, Galliciotti G, Monteiro MJ. Serpin neuropathology in the P497S UBQLN2 mouse model of ALS/FTD. Brain Pathol 2021; 31:e12948. [PMID: 33780087 PMCID: PMC8387369 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests X-linked dominant mutations in UBQLN2 cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) through both loss- and gain-of-function mechanisms. However, the mechanisms by which the mutations cause disease are still unclear. The goal of the study was to uncover the possible pathomechanism(s) by which UBQLN2 mutations cause ALS/FTD. An analysis of proteomic changes in neuronal tissue was used to identify proteins with altered accumulation in the P497S UBQLN2 transgenic mouse model of ALS/FTD. We then used immunocytochemistry and biochemical techniques to confirm protein changes in the mutant P497S mice. Additionally, we used cell lines inactivated of UBQLN2 expression to determine whether its loss underlies the alteration in the proteins seen in P497S mice. The proteome screen identified a dramatic alteration of serine protease inhibitor (serpin) proteins in the mutant P497S animals. Double immunofluorescent staining of brain and spinal cord tissues of the mutant and control mice revealed an age-dependent change in accumulation of Serpin A1, C1, and I1 in puncta whose staining colocalized with UBQLN2 puncta in the mutant P497S mice. Serpin A1 aggregation in P497S animals was confirmed by biochemical extraction and filter retardation assays. A similar phenomenon of serpin protein aggregation was found in HeLa and NSC34 motor neuron cells with inactivated UBQLN2 expression. We found aberrant aggregation of serpin proteins, particularly Serpin A1, in the brain and spinal cord of the P497S UBQLN2 mouse model of ALS/FTD. Similar aggregation of serpin proteins was found in UBQLN2 knockout cells suggesting that serpin aggregation in the mutant P497S animals may stem from loss of UBQLN2 function. Because serpin aggregation is known to cause disease through both loss- and gain-of-function mechanisms, we speculate that their accumulation in the P497S mouse model of ALS/FTD may contribute to disease pathogenesis through similar mechanism(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Higgins
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Jessie E. Greenslade
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Josephine J. Wu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’Pasteur Institute – Cenci Bolognetti FoundationSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Mervyn J. Monteiro
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
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11
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Living with the enemy: from protein-misfolding pathologies we know, to those we want to know. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 70:101391. [PMID: 34119687 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Conformational diseases are caused by the aggregation of misfolded proteins. The risk for such pathologies develops years before clinical symptoms appear, and is higher in people with alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) polymorphisms. Thousands of people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are underdiagnosed. Enemy-aggregating proteins may reside in these underdiagnosed AATD patients for many years before a pathology for AATD fully develops. In this perspective review, we hypothesize that the AAT protein could exert a new and previously unconsidered biological effect as an endogenous metal ion chelator that plays a significant role in essential metal ion homeostasis. In this respect, AAT polymorphism may cause an imbalance of metal ions, which could be correlated with the aggregation of amylin, tau, amyloid beta, and alpha synuclein proteins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively.
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12
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Onur TS, Laitman A, Zhao H, Keyho R, Kim H, Wang J, Mair M, Wang H, Li L, Perez A, de Haro M, Wan YW, Allen G, Lu B, Al-Ramahi I, Liu Z, Botas J. Downregulation of glial genes involved in synaptic function mitigates Huntington's disease pathogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:64564. [PMID: 33871358 PMCID: PMC8149125 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most research on neurodegenerative diseases has focused on neurons, yet glia help form and maintain the synapses whose loss is so prominent in these conditions. To investigate the contributions of glia to Huntington's disease (HD), we profiled the gene expression alterations of Drosophila expressing human mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) in either glia or neurons and compared these changes to what is observed in HD human and HD mice striata. A large portion of conserved genes are concordantly dysregulated across the three species; we tested these genes in a high-throughput behavioral assay and found that downregulation of genes involved in synapse assembly mitigated pathogenesis and behavioral deficits. To our surprise, reducing dNRXN3 function in glia was sufficient to improve the phenotype of flies expressing mHTT in neurons, suggesting that mHTT's toxic effects in glia ramify throughout the brain. This supports a model in which dampening synaptic function is protective because it attenuates the excitotoxicity that characterizes HD. When a neuron dies, through injury or disease, the body loses all communication that passes through it. The brain compensates by rerouting the flow of information through other neurons in the network. Eventually, if the loss of neurons becomes too great, compensation becomes impossible. This process happens in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. In the case of Huntington's disease, the cause is mutation to a single gene known as huntingtin. The mutation is present in every cell in the body but causes particular damage to parts of the brain involved in mood, thinking and movement. Neurons and other cells respond to mutations in the huntingtin gene by turning the activities of other genes up or down, but it is not clear whether all of these changes contribute to the damage seen in Huntington's disease. In fact, it is possible that some of the changes are a result of the brain trying to protect itself. So far, most research on this subject has focused on neurons because the huntingtin gene plays a role in maintaining healthy neuronal connections. But, given that all cells carry the mutated gene, it is likely that other cells are also involved. The glia are a diverse group of cells that support the brain, providing care and sustenance to neurons. These cells have a known role in maintaining the connections between neurons and may also have play a role in either causing or correcting the damage seen in Huntington's disease. The aim of Onur et al. was to find out which genes are affected by having a mutant huntingtin gene in neurons or glia, and whether severity of Huntington’s disease improved or worsened when the activity of these genes changed. First, Onur et al. identified genes affected by mutant huntingtin by comparing healthy human brains to the brains of people with Huntington's disease. Repeating the same comparison in mice and fruit flies identified genes affected in the same way across all three species, revealing that, in Huntington's disease, the brain dials down glial cell genes involved in maintaining neuronal connections. To find out how these changes in gene activity affect disease severity and progression, Onur et al. manipulated the activity of each of the genes they had identified in fruit flies that carried mutant versions of huntingtin either in neurons, in glial cells or in both cell types. They then filmed the flies to see the effects of the manipulation on movement behaviors, which are affected by Huntington’s disease. This revealed that purposely lowering the activity of the glial genes involved in maintaining connections between neurons improved the symptoms of the disease, but only in flies who had mutant huntingtin in their glial cells. This indicates that the drop in activity of these genes observed in Huntington’s disease is the brain trying to protect itself. This work suggests that it is important to include glial cells in studies of neurological disorders. It also highlights the fact that changes in gene expression as a result of a disease are not always bad. Many alterations are compensatory, and try to either make up for or protect cells affected by the disease. Therefore, it may be important to consider whether drugs designed to treat a condition by changing levels of gene activity might undo some of the body's natural protection. Working out which changes drive disease and which changes are protective will be essential for designing effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Seref Onur
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Andrew Laitman
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - He Zhao
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Ryan Keyho
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Hyemin Kim
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Jennifer Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Megan Mair
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Huilan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lifang Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Alma Perez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Maria de Haro
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Genevera Allen
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Statistics and Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Boxun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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Abu-Rumeileh S, Baiardi S, Ladogana A, Zenesini C, Bartoletti-Stella A, Poleggi A, Mammana A, Polischi B, Pocchiari M, Capellari S, Parchi P. Comparison between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for the early diagnosis and association with survival in prion disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:1181-1188. [PMID: 32928934 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic value of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests across prion disease subtypes. METHODS We used a single-molecule immunoassay to measure tau and neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein levels in the plasma and assessed CSF total(t)-tau, NfL and protein 14-3-3 levels in patients with prion disease (n=336), non-prion rapidly progressive dementias (n=106) and non-neurodegenerative controls (n=37). We then evaluated each plasma and CSF marker for diagnosis and their association with survival, taking into account the disease subtype, which is a strong independent prognostic factor in prion disease. RESULTS Plasma tau and NfL concentrations were higher in patients with prion disease than in non-neurodegenerative controls and non-prion rapidly progressive dementias. Plasma tau showed higher diagnostic value than plasma NfL, but a lower accuracy than the CSF proteins t-tau and 14-3-3. In the whole prion cohort, both plasma (tau and NfL) and CSF (t-tau, 14-3-3 and NfL) markers were significantly associated with survival and showed similar prognostic values. However, the intrasubtype analysis revealed that only CSF t-tau in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) MM(V)1, plasma tau and CSF t-tau in sCJD VV2, and plasma NfL in slowly progressive prion diseases were significantly associated with survival after accounting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS Plasma markers have lower diagnostic accuracy than CSF biomarkers. Plasma tau and NfL and CSF t-tau are significantly associated with survival in prion disease in a subtype-specific manner and can be used to improve clinical trial stratification and clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Baiardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ladogana
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Corrado Zenesini
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Anna Poleggi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Angela Mammana
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Polischi
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Sabina Capellari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Parchi
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy .,Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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14
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CSF Ubiquitin Levels Are Higher in Alzheimer's Disease than in Frontotemporal Dementia and Reflect the Molecular Subtype in Prion Disease. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040497. [PMID: 32218217 PMCID: PMC7226617 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in the ubiquitin-proteasome system seem to play a role in neurodegenerative dementias (NDs). Previous studies documented an increase of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) free monoubiquitin in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD). However, to date, no study explored this biomarker across the heterogeneous spectrum of prion disease. Using a liquid chromatography−multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry, we investigated CSF free monoubiquitin in controls (n = 28) and in cases with prion disease (n = 84), AD (n = 38), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (n = 30). Furthermore, in CJD subtypes, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) the relative extent of brain ubiquitin deposits. Prion disease and, to a lesser extent, AD subjects showed increased levels of CSF free monoubiquitin, whereas FTD cases had median protein values similar to controls. The biomarker showed a good to optimal accuracy in the differential diagnosis between NDs and, most interestingly, between AD and FTD. After stratification, according to molecular subtypes, sporadic CJD VV2 demonstrated significantly higher levels of CSF ubiquitin and more numerous brain ubiquitin deposits at IHC in comparison to the typical and most prevalent MM(V)1 subtype. Moreover, CSF ubiquitin correlated with biomarkers of neurodegeneration and astrogliosis in NDs, and was associated with disease stage but not with survival in prion disease. The differential increase of CSF free monoubiquitin in prion disease subtypes and AD may reflect common, though disease and time-specific, phenomena related to neurodegeneration, such as neuritic damage, dysfunctional proteostasis, and neuroinflammation.
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