1
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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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2
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García-Martínez M, Cortez LM, Otero A, Betancor M, Serrano-Pérez B, Bolea R, Badiola JJ, Garza MC. Distinctive Toll-like Receptors Gene Expression and Glial Response in Different Brain Regions of Natural Scrapie. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073579. [PMID: 35408945 PMCID: PMC8998348 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are chronic and fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of disease-specific prion protein (PrPSc), spongiform changes, neuronal loss, and gliosis. Growing evidence shows that the neuroinflammatory response is a key component of prion diseases and contributes to neurodegeneration. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been proposed as important mediators of innate immune responses triggered in the central nervous system in other human neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, little is known about the role of TLRs in prion diseases, and their involvement in the neuropathology of natural scrapie has not been studied. We assessed the gene expression of ovine TLRs in four anatomically distinct brain regions in natural scrapie-infected sheep and evaluated the possible correlations between gene expression and the pathological hallmarks of prion disease. We observed significant changes in TLR expression in scrapie-infected sheep that correlate with the degree of spongiosis, PrPSc deposition, and gliosis in each of the regions studied. Remarkably, TLR4 was the only gene upregulated in all regions, regardless of the severity of neuropathology. In the hippocampus, we observed milder neuropathology associated with a distinct TLR gene expression profile and the presence of a peculiar microglial morphology, called rod microglia, described here for the first time in the brain of scrapie-infected sheep. The concurrence of these features suggests partial neuroprotection of the hippocampus. Finally, a comparison of the findings in naturallyinfected sheep versus an ovinized mouse model (tg338 mice) revealed distinct patterns of TLRgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirta García-Martínez
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, IA2, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.-M.); (M.B.); (R.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Leonardo M. Cortez
- Department of Medicine and Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada
- Correspondence: (L.M.C.); (A.O.)
| | - Alicia Otero
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, IA2, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.-M.); (M.B.); (R.B.); (J.J.B.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.C.); (A.O.)
| | - Marina Betancor
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, IA2, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.-M.); (M.B.); (R.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Beatriz Serrano-Pérez
- Agrotecnio-CERCA Center, Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Rosa Bolea
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, IA2, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.-M.); (M.B.); (R.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Juan J. Badiola
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, IA2, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.-M.); (M.B.); (R.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - María Carmen Garza
- Departamento de Anatomía e Histología Humanas, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
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3
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Jiang S, Maphis NM, Binder J, Chisholm D, Weston L, Duran W, Peterson C, Zimmerman A, Mandell MA, Jett SD, Bigio E, Geula C, Mellios N, Weick JP, Rosenberg GA, Latz E, Heneka MT, Bhaskar K. Proteopathic tau primes and activates interleukin-1β via myeloid-cell-specific MyD88- and NLRP3-ASC-inflammasome pathway. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109720. [PMID: 34551296 PMCID: PMC8491766 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau (pTau) and neuroinflammation, driven by interleukin-1β (IL-1β), are the major hallmarks of tauopathies. Here, we show that pTau primes and activates IL-1β. First, RNA-sequence analysis suggests paired-helical filaments (PHFs) from human tauopathy brain primes nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), chemokine, and IL-1β signaling clusters in human primary microglia. Treating microglia with pTau-containing neuronal media, exosomes, or PHFs causes IL-1β activation, which is NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 dependent. Suppression of pTau or ASC reduces tau pathology and inflammasome activation in rTg4510 and hTau mice, respectively. Although the deletion of MyD88 prevents both IL-1β expression and activation in the hTau mouse model of tauopathy, ASC deficiency in myeloid cells reduces pTau-induced IL-1β activation and improves cognitive function in hTau mice. Finally, pTau burden co-exists with elevated IL-1β and ASC in autopsy brains of human tauopathies. Together, our results suggest pTau activates IL-1β via MyD88- and NLRP3-ASC-dependent pathways in myeloid cells, including microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanya Jiang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Nicole M Maphis
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jessica Binder
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Devon Chisholm
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Lea Weston
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Walter Duran
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Crina Peterson
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Amber Zimmerman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Michael A Mandell
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Stephen D Jett
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Eileen Bigio
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center (CNADC), Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Changiz Geula
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center (CNADC), Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nikolaos Mellios
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jason P Weick
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Gary A Rosenberg
- Center for Memory and Aging, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Eicke Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany; Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany; Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease and Gerontopsychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Kiran Bhaskar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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4
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Neuroinflammation in Prion Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042196. [PMID: 33672129 PMCID: PMC7926464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, typically manifest as microglial activation and astrogliosis accompanied by transcriptomic alterations, represents a common hallmark of various neurodegenerative conditions including prion diseases. Microglia play an overall neuroprotective role in prion disease, whereas reactive astrocytes with aberrant phenotypes propagate prions and contribute to prion-induced neurodegeneration. The existence of heterogeneous subpopulations and dual functions of microglia and astrocytes in prion disease make them potential targets for therapeutic intervention. A variety of neuroinflammation-related molecules are involved in prion pathogenesis. Therapeutics targeting neuroinflammation represents a novel approach to combat prion disease. Deciphering neuroinflammation in prion disease will deepen our understanding of pathogenesis of other neurodegenerative disorders.
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5
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Nakagaki T, Ishibashi D, Mori T, Miyazaki Y, Takatsuki H, Tange H, Taguchi Y, Satoh K, Atarashi R, Nishida N. Administration of FK506 from Late Stage of Disease Prolongs Survival of Human Prion-Inoculated Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:1850-1860. [PMID: 32483654 PMCID: PMC7851258 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human prion diseases are etiologically categorized into three forms: sporadic, genetic, and infectious. Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is the most common type of human prion disease that manifests as subacute progressive dementia. No effective therapy for sCJD is currently available. Potential therapeutic compounds are frequently tested in rodents infected with mouse-adapted prions that differ from human prions. However, therapeutic effect varies depending on the prion strain, which is one of the reasons why candidate compounds have shown little effect in sCJD patients. We previously reported that intraperitoneal administration of FK506 was able to prolong the survival of mice infected with a mouse-adapted prion by suppressing the accumulation of abnormal prion protein (PrP) and inhibiting the activation of microglia. In this study, we tested oral administration of FK506 in knock-in mice expressing chimeric human prion protein (KiChM) that were infected with sCJD to determine if this compound is also effective against a clinically relevant human prion, i.e., one that has not been adapted to mice. Treatment with FK506, started either just before or just after disease onset, suppressed typical sCJD pathology (gliosis) and slightly but significantly prolonged the survival of sCJD-inoculated mice. It would be worthwhile to conduct a clinical trial using FK506, which has been safety-approved and is widely used as a mild immunosuppressant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Nakagaki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Ishibashi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Mori
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan
| | - Yukiko Miyazaki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hanae Takatsuki
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan
| | - Hiroya Tange
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Taguchi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Katsuya Satoh
- Department of Locomotive Rehabilitation Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Atarashi
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
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6
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Zhang B, Shen P, Yin X, Dai Y, Ding M, Cui L. Expression and functions of cellular prion proteins in immunocytes. Scand J Immunol 2019; 91:e12854. [PMID: 31785109 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative processes caused by the accumulation of the pathological prion protein, PrPSc . While pathological lesions are limited to the central nervous system (CNS), disease-specific proteins accumulate and replicate in secondary lymphoid organs prior to neuroinvasion, and their replication there depends on the abundance of cellular prion protein (PrPC ). PrPC is expressed in both central and peripheral lymphoid tissues, and up- or downregulates innate and adaptive immune responses. In addition to prion diseases, PrPC is also immunologically involved in other neurological disorders and infectious diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Herein, we summarize the expression and functions of PrPC in various immunocytes, as well as its immunological and pathological roles in neurodegeneration and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baizhuo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pingping Shen
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiang Yin
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanyuan Dai
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mingxuan Ding
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Cui
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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7
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Ishibashi D, Homma T, Nakagaki T, Fuse T, Sano K, Satoh K, Mori T, Atarashi R, Nishida N. Type I interferon protects neurons from prions in in vivo models. Brain 2019; 142:1035-1050. [PMID: 30753318 PMCID: PMC6439327 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious prions comprising abnormal prion protein, which is produced by structural conversion of normal prion protein, are responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Prions are infectious agents that do not possess a genome and the pathogenic protein was not thought to evoke any immune response. Although we previously reported that interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) was likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of prion diseases, suggesting the protective role of host innate immune responses mediated by IRF3 signalling, this remained to be clarified. Here, we investigated the reciprocal interactions of type I interferon evoked by IRF3 activation and prion infection and found that infecting prions cause the suppression of endogenous interferon expression. Conversely, treatment with recombinant interferons in an ex vivo model was able to inhibit prion infection. In addition, cells and mice deficient in type I interferon receptor (subunit interferon alpha/beta receptor 1), exhibited higher susceptibility to 22L-prion infection. Moreover, in in vivo and ex vivo prion-infected models, treatment with RO8191, a selective type I interferon receptor agonist, inhibited prion invasion and prolonged the survival period of infected mice. Taken together, these data indicated that the interferon signalling interferes with prion propagation and some interferon-stimulated genes might play protective roles in the brain. These findings may allow for the development of new strategies to combat fatal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ishibashi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takujiro Homma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Takehiro Nakagaki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takayuki Fuse
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazunori Sano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuya Satoh
- Department of Locomotive Rehabilitation Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Mori
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Atarashi
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
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8
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Proteasomal Inhibition Redirects the PrP-Like Shadoo Protein to the Nucleus. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7888-7904. [PMID: 31129810 PMCID: PMC6815274 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1623-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Shadoo protein (Sho) exhibits homology to the hydrophobic region of the cellular isoform of prion protein (PrPC). As prion-infected brains gradually accumulate infectivity-associated isoforms of prion protein (PrPSc), levels of mature endogenous Sho become reduced. To study the regulatory effect of the proteostatic network on Sho expression, we investigated the action of lactacystin, MG132, NH4Cl, and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) in two cell culture models. In primary mixed neuronal and glial cell cultures (MNGCs) from transgenic mice expressing wild-type Sho from the PrP gene promoter (Tg.Sprn mice), lactacystin- and MG132-mediated inhibition of proteasomal activity shifted the repertoire of Sho species towards unglycosylated forms appearing in the nuclei; conversely, the autophagic modulators NH4Cl and 3-MA did not affect Sho or PrPC glycosylation patterns. Mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells expressing Sho under control of a housekeeping gene promoter treated with MG132 or lactacystin also showed increased nuclear localization of unglycosylated Sho. As two proteasomal inhibitors tested in two cell paradigms caused redirection of Sho to nuclei at the expense of processing through the secretory pathway, our findings define a balanced shift in subcellular localization that thereby differs from the decreases in net Sho species seen in prion-infected brains. Our data are indicative of a physiological pathway to access Sho functions in the nucleus under conditions of impaired proteasomal activity. We also infer that these conditions would comprise a context wherein Sho’s N-terminal nucleic acid–binding RGG repeat region is brought into play.
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9
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Mercer RC, Harris DA. Identification of anti-prion drugs and targets using toxicity-based assays. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 44:20-27. [PMID: 30684854 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are untreatable and invariably fatal, making the discovery of effective therapeutic interventions a priority. Most candidate molecules have been discovered based on their ability to reduce the levels of PrPSc, the infectious form of the prion protein, in cultured neuroblastoma cells. We have employed an alternative assay, based on an abnormal cellular phenotype associated with a mutant prion protein, to discover a novel class of anti-prion compounds, the phenethyl piperidines. Using an assay that monitors the acute toxic effects of PrPSc on the synapses of cultured hippocampal neurons, we have identified p38 MAPK as a druggable pharmacological target that is already being pursued for the treatment of other human diseases. Organotypic brain slices, which can propagate prions and mimic several neuropathological features of the disease, have also been used to test inhibitory compounds. An effective anti-prion regimen will involve synergistic combination of drugs acting at multiple steps of the pathogenic process, resulting not only in reduction in prion levels but also suppression of neurotoxic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Cc Mercer
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - David A Harris
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States.
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10
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Carroll JA, Race B, Williams K, Chesebro B. Toll-like receptor 2 confers partial neuroprotection during prion disease. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208559. [PMID: 30596651 PMCID: PMC6312208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration are common during prion infection, but the mechanisms that underlie these pathological features are not well understood. Several components of innate immunity, such as Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and Complement C1q, have been shown to influence prion disease. To identify additional components of innate immunity that might impact prion disease within the central nervous system (CNS), we screened RNA from brains of pre-clinical and clinical 22L-infected mice for alterations in genes associated with innate immunity. Transcription of several genes encoding damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) proteins and receptors were increased in the brains of prion-infected mice. To investigate the role of some of these proteins in prion disease of the CNS, we infected mice deficient in DAMP receptor genes Tlr2, C3ar1, and C5ar1 with 22L scrapie. Elimination of TLR2 accelerated disease by a median of 10 days, while lack of C3aR1 or C5aR1 had no effect on disease tempo. Histopathologically, all knockout mouse strains tested were similar to infected control mice in gliosis, vacuolation, and PrPSc deposition. Analysis of proinflammatory markers in the brains of infected knockout mice indicated only a few alterations in gene expression suggesting that C5aR1 and TLR2 signaling did not act synergistically in the brains of prion-infected mice. These results indicate that signaling through TLR2 confers partial neuroprotection during prion infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Carroll
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States of America
| | - Brent Race
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States of America
| | - Katie Williams
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States of America
| | - Bruce Chesebro
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States of America
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11
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Yang Q, Zhou J. Neuroinflammation in the central nervous system: Symphony of glial cells. Glia 2018; 67:1017-1035. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao‐qiao Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
| | - Jia‐wei Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200031 China
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12
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Meling S, Skovgaard K, Bårdsen K, Helweg Heegaard PM, Ulvund MJ. Expression of selected genes isolated from whole blood, liver and obex in lambs with experimental classical scrapie and healthy controls, showing a systemic innate immune response at the clinical end-stage. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:281. [PMID: 30208891 PMCID: PMC6134718 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1607-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Incubation period, disease progression, pathology and clinical presentation of classical scrapie in sheep are highly dependent on PRNP genotype, time and route of inoculation and prion strain. Our experimental model with pre-colostrum inoculation of homozygous VRQ lambs has shown to be an effective model with extensive PrPSc dissemination in lymphatic tissue and a short incubation period with severe clinical disease. Serum protein analysis has shown an elevation of acute phase proteins in the clinical stages of this experimental model, and here, we investigate changes in gene expression in whole blood, liver and brain. RESULTS The animals in the scrapie group showed severe signs of illness 22 weeks post inoculation necessitating euthanasia at 23 weeks post inoculation. This severe clinical presentation was accompanied by changes in expression of several genes. The following genes were differentially expressed in whole blood: TLR2, TLR4, C3, IL1B, LF and SAA, in liver tissue, the following genes differentially expressed: TNF-α, SAA, HP, CP, AAT, TTR and TF, and in the brain tissue, the following genes were differentially expressed: HP, CP, ALB and TTR. CONCLUSIONS We report a strong and evident transcriptional innate immune response in the terminal stage of classical scrapie in these animals. The PRNP genotype and time of inoculation are believed to contribute to the clinical presentation, including the extensive dissemination of PrPSc throughout the lymphatic tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siv Meling
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
| | - Kerstin Skovgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kjetil Bårdsen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
| | | | - Martha J. Ulvund
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
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Ladner-Keay CL, LeVatte M, Wishart DS. Role of polysaccharide and lipid in lipopolysaccharide induced prion protein conversion. Prion 2017; 10:466-483. [PMID: 27906600 PMCID: PMC5161299 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2016.1254857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Conversion of native cellular prion protein (PrPc) from an α-helical structure to a toxic and infectious β-sheet structure (PrPSc) is a critical step in the development of prion disease. There are some indications that the formation of PrPSc is preceded by a β-sheet rich PrP (PrPβ) form which is non-infectious, but is an intermediate in the formation of infectious PrPSc. Furthermore the presence of lipid cofactors is thought to be critical in the formation of both intermediate-PrPβ and lethal, infectious PrPSc. We previously discovered that the endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interacts with recombinant PrPc and induces rapid conformational change to a β-sheet rich structure. This LPS induced PrPβ structure exhibits PrPSc-like features including proteinase K (PK) resistance and the capacity to form large oligomers and rod-like fibrils. LPS is a large, complex molecule with lipid, polysaccharide, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (Kdo) and glucosamine components. To learn more about which LPS chemical constituents are critical for binding PrPc and inducing β-sheet conversion we systematically investigated which chemical components of LPS either bind or induce PrP conversion to PrPβ. We analyzed this PrP conversion using resolution enhanced native acidic gel electrophoresis (RENAGE), tryptophan fluorescence, circular dichroism, electron microscopy and PK resistance. Our results indicate that a minimal version of LPS (called detoxified and partially de-acylated LPS or dLPS) containing a portion of the polysaccharide and a portion of the lipid component is sufficient for PrP conversion. Lipid components, alone, and saccharide components, alone, are insufficient for conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol L Ladner-Keay
- a Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada
| | - Marcia LeVatte
- a Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada
| | - David S Wishart
- a Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada.,b Department of Computing Science , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada
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14
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Let's make microglia great again in neurodegenerative disorders. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 125:751-770. [PMID: 29027011 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1792-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
All of the common neurodegenerative disorders-Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and prion diseases-are characterized by accumulation of misfolded proteins that trigger activation of microglia; brain-resident mononuclear phagocytes. This chronic form of neuroinflammation is earmarked by increased release of myriad cytokines and chemokines in patient brains and biofluids. Microglial phagocytosis is compromised early in the disease process, obfuscating clearance of abnormal proteins. This review identifies immune pathologies shared by the major neurodegenerative disorders. The overarching concept is that aberrant innate immune pathways can be targeted for return to homeostasis in hopes of coaxing microglia into clearing neurotoxic misfolded proteins.
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15
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Kang SG, Kim C, Aiken J, Yoo HS, McKenzie D. Dual MicroRNA to Cellular Prion Protein Inhibits Propagation of Pathogenic Prion Protein in Cultured Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:2384-2396. [PMID: 28357807 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal transmissible neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and various mammals. In spite of intensive efforts, there is no effective cure or treatment for prion diseases. Cellular forms of prion protein (PrPC) is essential for propagation of abnormal isoforms of prion protein (PrPSc) and pathogenesis. The effect of an artificial dual microRNA (DmiR) on PrPC suppression and resultant inhibition of prion replication was determined using prion-infectible cell cultures: differentiated C2C12 culture and primary mixed neuronal and glial cells culture (MNGC). Processing of DmiR by prion-susceptible myotubes, but not by reserve cells, in differentiated C2C12 culture slowed prion replication, implying an importance of cell type-specific PrPC targeting. In MNGC, reduction of PrPC with DmiR was effective for suppressing prion replication. MNGC lentivirally transduced with non-targeting control miRNAs (scrambled) reduced prion replication at a level similar to that with a synthetic analogue of viral RNA, poly I:C. The results suggest that a synergistic combination of the immunostimulatory RNA duplexes (miRNA) and PrPC silencing with DmiR might augment a therapeutic potential of RNA interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Gyun Kang
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chiye Kim
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Judd Aiken
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Han Sang Yoo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, BK21 PLUS, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Debbie McKenzie
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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