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McManus RM, Latz E. NLRP3 inflammasome signalling in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2024; 252:109941. [PMID: 38565393 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Every year, 10 million people develop dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, there is no way to prevent cognitive decline and therapies are limited. This review provides a neuroimmunological perspective on the progression of AD, and discusses the immune-targeted therapies that are in preclinical and clinical trials that may impact the development of this disease. Specifically, we look to the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome, its triggers in the brain and how its activation can contribute to the progression of dementia. We summarise the range of inhibitors targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream pathways that are under investigation, and discuss future therapeutic perspectives for this devastating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Róisín M McManus
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Venusberg Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany; Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Eicke Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA; Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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Cary GA, Wiley JC, Gockley J, Keegan S, Amirtha Ganesh SS, Heath L, Butler RR, Mangravite LM, Logsdon BA, Longo FM, Levey A, Greenwood AK, Carter GW. Genetic and multi-omic risk assessment of Alzheimer's disease implicates core associated biological domains. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2024; 10:e12461. [PMID: 38650747 PMCID: PMC11033838 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the predominant dementia globally, with heterogeneous presentation and penetrance of clinical symptoms, variable presence of mixed pathologies, potential disease subtypes, and numerous associated endophenotypes. Beyond the difficulty of designing treatments that address the core pathological characteristics of the disease, therapeutic development is challenged by the uncertainty of which endophenotypic areas and specific targets implicated by those endophenotypes to prioritize for further translational research. However, publicly funded consortia driving large-scale open science efforts have produced multiple omic analyses that address both disease risk relevance and biological process involvement of genes across the genome. METHODS Here we report the development of an informatic pipeline that draws from genetic association studies, predicted variant impact, and linkage with dementia associated phenotypes to create a genetic risk score. This is paired with a multi-omic risk score utilizing extensive sets of both transcriptomic and proteomic studies to identify system-level changes in expression associated with AD. These two elements combined constitute our target risk score that ranks AD risk genome-wide. The ranked genes are organized into endophenotypic space through the development of 19 biological domains associated with AD in the described genetics and genomics studies and accompanying literature. The biological domains are constructed from exhaustive Gene Ontology (GO) term compilations, allowing automated assignment of genes into objectively defined disease-associated biology. This rank-and-organize approach, performed genome-wide, allows the characterization of aggregations of AD risk across biological domains. RESULTS The top AD-risk-associated biological domains are Synapse, Immune Response, Lipid Metabolism, Mitochondrial Metabolism, Structural Stabilization, and Proteostasis, with slightly lower levels of risk enrichment present within the other 13 biological domains. DISCUSSION This provides an objective methodology to localize risk within specific biological endophenotypes and drill down into the most significantly associated sets of GO terms and annotated genes for potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Frank M. Longo
- Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
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Lovotti M, Mangan MSJ, McManus RM, Shkarina K, Vasconcelos MB, Latz E. Monitoring of Inflammasome Activation of Macrophages and Microglia In Vitro, Part 1: Cell Preparation and Inflammasome Stimulation. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2713:407-429. [PMID: 37639139 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3437-0_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are intracellular, multiprotein supercomplexes that mediate a post-translational inflammatory response to both pathogen and endogenous danger signals. They consist of a sensor, the adapter ASC, and the protease caspase 1 and, following their activation, lead to cl1β, as well as lytic cell death. Due to this potent inflammatory capacity, understanding inflammasome biology is important in many pathological conditions. It is increasingly clear that inflammasomes are particularly relevant in macrophages, which express a diverse range of inflammasome sensors. In these two chapters, we detail methods to isolate and differentiate human macrophages, murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, and murine microglia and stimulate the inflammasomes known to be expressed in macrophages, including the AIM2, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP1, and non-canonical inflammasomes. Furthermore, we describe the methodology required to measure the various results of inflammasome activation including ASC speck formation, monitoring lytic cell death and cytokine release, as well as caspase-1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lovotti
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthew S J Mangan
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Róisín M McManus
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kateryna Shkarina
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matilde B Vasconcelos
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eicke Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
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Tang Y, Zhang D, Zheng J. Repurposing Antimicrobial Protegrin-1 as a Dual-Function Amyloid Inhibitor via Cross-seeding. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3143-3155. [PMID: 37589476 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids and antimicrobial peptides have traditionally been recognized as distinct families with separate biological functions and targets. However, certain amyloids and antimicrobial peptides share structural and functional characteristics that contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and microbial infections are interconnected pathological factors in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we propose and demonstrate a novel repurposing strategy for an antimicrobial peptide of protegrin-1 (PG-1), which exhibits the ability to simultaneously prevent Aβ aggregation and microbial infection both in vitro and in vivo. Through a comprehensive analysis using protein, cell, and worm assays, we uncover multiple functions of PG-1 against Aβ, including the following: (i) complete inhibition of Aβ aggregation at a low molar ratio of PG-1/Aβ = 0.25:1, (ii) disassembly of the preformed Aβ fibrils into amorphous aggregates, (iii) reduction of Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and transgenic GMC101 nematodes, and (iv) preservation of original antimicrobial activity against P.A., E.coli., S.A., and S.E. strains in the presence of Aβ. Mechanistically, the dual anti-amyloid and anti-bacterial functions of PG-1 primarily arise from its strong binding to distinct Aβ seeds (KD = 1.24-1.90 μM) through conformationally similar β-sheet associations. This work introduces a promising strategy to repurpose antimicrobial peptides as amyloid inhibitors, effectively targeting multiple pathological pathways in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Tang
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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Afsar A, Chacon Castro MDC, Soladogun AS, Zhang L. Recent Development in the Understanding of Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087258. [PMID: 37108421 PMCID: PMC10138573 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to dementia and patient death. AD is characterized by intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque deposition, and neurodegeneration. Diverse alterations have been associated with AD progression, including genetic mutations, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and metal ion imbalance.Additionally, recent studies have shown an association between altered heme metabolism and AD. Unfortunately, decades of research and drug development have not produced any effective treatments for AD. Therefore, understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology and identifying potential therapeutic targets are crucial for AD drug development. This review discusses the most common alterations associated with AD and promising therapeutic targets for AD drug discovery. Furthermore, it highlights the role of heme in AD development and summarizes mathematical models of AD, including a stochastic mathematical model of AD and mathematical models of the effect of Aβ on AD. We also summarize the potential treatment strategies that these models can offer in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Afsar
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | | | | | - Li Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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Long HZ, Zhou ZW, Cheng Y, Luo HY, Li FJ, Xu SG, Gao LC. The Role of Microglia in Alzheimer’s Disease From the Perspective of Immune Inflammation and Iron Metabolism. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:888989. [PMID: 35847685 PMCID: PMC9284275 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.888989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common type of senile dementia, includes the complex pathogenesis of abnormal deposition of amyloid beta-protein (Aβ), phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and neuroimmune inflammatory. The neurodegenerative process of AD triggers microglial activation, and the overactivation of microglia produces a large number of neuroimmune inflammatory factors. Microglia dysfunction can lead to disturbances in iron metabolism and enhance iron-induced neuronal degeneration in AD, while elevated iron levels in brain areas affect microglia phenotype and function. In this manuscript, we firstly discuss the role of microglia in AD and then introduce the role of microglia in the immune-inflammatory pathology of AD. Their role in AD iron homeostasis is emphasized. Recent studies on microglia and ferroptosis in AD are also reviewed. It will help readers better understand the role of microglia in iron metabolism in AD, and provides a basis for better regulation of iron metabolism disorders in AD and the discovery of new potential therapeutic targets for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Zhi Long
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
| | - Zi-Wei Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
| | - Hong-Yu Luo
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
| | - Feng-Jiao Li
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
| | - Shuo-Guo Xu
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
| | - Li-Chen Gao
- School of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Chen Gao,
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Plantone D, Pardini M, Locci S, Nobili F, De Stefano N. B Lymphocytes in Alzheimer's Disease-A Comprehensive Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1241-1262. [PMID: 35754274 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most common type of neurodegenerative dementia and is characterized by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, pathologic intracellular tau protein tangles, and neuronal loss. Increasing evidence has been accumulating over the past years, supporting a pivotal role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AD. Microglia, monocytes, astrocytes, and neurons have been shown to play a major role in AD-associated inflammation. However recent studies showed that the role of both T and B lymphocytes may be important. In particular, B lymphocytes are the cornerstone of humoral immunity, they constitute a heterogenous population of immune cells, being their mature subsets significantly impacted by the inflammatory milieu. The role of B lymphocytes on AD pathogenesis is gaining interest for several reasons. Indeed, the majority of elderly people develop the process of "inflammaging", which is characterized by increased blood levels of proinflammatory molecules associated with an elevated susceptibility to chronic diseases. Epitope-specific alteration pattern of naturally occurring antibodies targeting the amino-terminus and the mid-domain of Aβ in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid has been described in AD patients. Moreover, a possible therapeutic role of B lymphocytes depletion was recently demonstrated in murine AD models. Interestingly, active immunization against Aβ and tau, one of the main therapeutic strategies under investigation, depend on B lymphocytes. Finally. several molecules being tested in AD clinical trials can modify the homeostasis of B cells. This review summarizes the evidence supporting the role of B lymphocytes in AD from the pathogenesis to the possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Plantone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo Pardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Locci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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