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Lia A, Di Spiezio A, Vitalini L, Tore M, Puja G, Losi G. Ion Channels and Ionotropic Receptors in Astrocytes: Physiological Functions and Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and Glioblastoma. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2038. [PMID: 37895420 PMCID: PMC10608464 DOI: 10.3390/life13102038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is composed of nearly one hundred billion neurons and an equal number of glial cells, including macroglia, i.e., astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. In the last few decades, compelling evidence has revealed that glial cells are far more active and complex than previously thought. In particular, astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell population, not only take part in brain development, metabolism, and defense against pathogens and insults, but they also affect sensory, motor, and cognitive functions by constantly modulating synaptic activity. Not surprisingly, astrocytes are actively involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and other neurological disorders like brain tumors, in which they rapidly become reactive and mediate neuroinflammation. Reactive astrocytes acquire or lose specific functions that differently modulate disease progression and symptoms, including cognitive impairments. Astrocytes express several types of ion channels, including K+, Na+, and Ca2+ channels, transient receptor potential channels (TRP), aquaporins, mechanoreceptors, and anion channels, whose properties and functions are only partially understood, particularly in small processes that contact synapses. In addition, astrocytes express ionotropic receptors for several neurotransmitters. Here, we provide an extensive and up-to-date review of the roles of ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocyte physiology and pathology. As examples of two different brain pathologies, we focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most diffuse neurodegenerative disorders, and glioblastoma (GBM), the most common brain tumor. Understanding how ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocytes participate in NDs and tumors is necessary for developing new therapeutic tools for these increasingly common neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Lia
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Alessandro Di Spiezio
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
- Neuroscience Institute (CNR-IN), Padova Section, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Vitalini
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Manuela Tore
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Puja
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriele Losi
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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2
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Liu JY, Zhou L, Shen Y. Inward rectifying K ir4.1 channels regulate oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and CNS myelination in vivo. Neurosci Lett 2023; 807:137278. [PMID: 37116573 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The functions of Kir4.1 in oligodendrocyte development have been in controversial. We recently reported that inhibiting Kir4.1 impeded oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation and oligodendrocyte (OL) maturation, due to Kir4.1 altering intracellular pH of OPCs through Na+/H+ exchangers. However, our conclusion was limited by in vitro observation, thereby it becomes necessary to seek in vivo evidence to determine the roles of Kir4.1 on OPC development and CNS myelination. Here, we used Olig1-Cre to knockout Kir4.1 in OPCs from the early developmental stage. We found that the cell-specific deletion of Kir4.1 significantly impeded OPC differentiation and reduced the number of mature OLs in the cerebral cortex and the corpus callosum. Hence, our in vivo evidence supports that Kir4.1 can regulate OPC differentiation and is essential to CNS myelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Guizhou Institution of Higher Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Huffels CFM, Middeldorp J, Hol EM. Aß Pathology and Neuron-Glia Interactions: A Synaptocentric View. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1026-1046. [PMID: 35976488 PMCID: PMC10030451 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03699-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) causes the majority of dementia cases worldwide. Early pathological hallmarks include the accumulation of amyloid-ß (Aß) and activation of both astrocytes and microglia. Neurons form the building blocks of the central nervous system, and astrocytes and microglia provide essential input for its healthy functioning. Their function integrates at the level of the synapse, which is therefore sometimes referred to as the "quad-partite synapse". Increasing evidence puts AD forward as a disease of the synapse, where pre- and postsynaptic processes, as well as astrocyte and microglia functioning progressively deteriorate. Here, we aim to review the current knowledge on how Aß accumulation functionally affects the individual components of the quad-partite synapse. We highlight a selection of processes that are essential to the healthy functioning of the neuronal synapse, including presynaptic neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic receptor functioning. We further discuss how Aß affects the astrocyte's capacity to recycle neurotransmitters, release gliotransmitters, and maintain ion homeostasis. We additionally review literature on how Aß changes the immunoprotective function of microglia during AD progression and conclude by summarizing our main findings and highlighting the challenges in current studies, as well as the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan F M Huffels
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurobiology & Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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The Fuzzy Border between the Functional and Dysfunctional Effects of Beta-Amyloid: A Synaptocentric View of Neuron-Glia Entanglement. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020484. [PMID: 36831020 PMCID: PMC9953143 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent observations from clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies against Aβ seem to suggest that Aβ-targeting is modestly effective and not sufficiently based on an effective challenge of the role of Aβ from physiological to pathological. After an accelerated approval procedure for aducanumab, and more recently lecanemab, their efficacy and safety remain to be fully defined despite previous attempts with various monoclonal antibodies, and both academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies are actively searching for novel treatments. Aβ needs to be clarified further in a more complicated context, taking into account both its accumulation and its biological functions during the course of the disease. In this review, we discuss the border between activities affecting early, potentially reversible dysfunctions of the synapse and events trespassing the threshold of inflammatory, self-sustaining glial activation, leading to irreversible damage. We detail a clear understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the derangement from function to dysfunction and the switch of the of Aβ role from physiological to pathological. A picture is emerging where the optimal therapeutic strategy against AD should involve a number of allied molecular processes, displaying efficacy not only in reducing the well-known AD pathogenesis players, such as Aβ or neuroinflammation, but also in preventing their adverse effects.
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Kater MSJ, Huffels CFM, Oshima T, Renckens NS, Middeldorp J, Boddeke EWGM, Smit AB, Eggen BJL, Hol EM, Verheijen MHG. Prevention of microgliosis halts early memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 107:225-241. [PMID: 36270437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, the neuropathological formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The best cellular correlates of the early cognitive deficits in AD patients are synapse loss and gliosis. In particular, it is unclear whether the activation of microglia (microgliosis) has a neuroprotective or pathological role early in AD. Here we report that microgliosis is an early mediator of synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice, a mouse model of increased amyloidosis. We found that the appearance of microgliosis, synaptic dysfunction and behavioral impairment coincided with increased soluble Aβ42 levels, and occurred well before the presence of Aβ plaques. Inhibition of microglial activity by treatment with minocycline (MC) reduced gliosis, synaptic deficits and cognitive impairments at early pathological stages and was most effective when provided preventive, i.e., before the onset of microgliosis. Interestingly, soluble Aβ levels or Aβ plaques deposition were not affected by preventive MC treatment at an early pathological stage (4 months) whereas these were reduced upon treatment at a later stage (6 months). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of early-stage prevention of microgliosis on the development of cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice, which might be clinically relevant in preventing memory loss and delaying AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy S J Kater
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan F M Huffels
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Takuya Oshima
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niek S Renckens
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Neurobiology & Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Erik W G M Boddeke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart J L Eggen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark H G Verheijen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Shi JM, Li HY, Liu H, Zhu L, Guo YB, Pei J, An H, Li YS, Li SD, Zhang ZY, Zheng Y. N-terminal Domain of Amyloid-β Impacts Fibrillation and Neurotoxicity. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:38847-38855. [PMID: 36340079 PMCID: PMC9631750 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of distinct amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) assemblies with diverse sizes, shapes, and toxicity. However, the primary determinants of Aβ aggregation and neurotoxicity remain unknown. Here, the N-terminal amino acid residues of Aβ42 that distinguished between humans and rats were substituted. The effects of these modifications on the ability of Aβ to aggregate and its neurotoxicity were investigated using biochemical, biophysical, and cellular techniques. The Aβ-derived diffusible ligand, protofibrils, and fibrils formed by the N-terminal mutational peptides, including Aβ42(R5G), Aβ42(Y10F), and rat Aβ42, were indistinguishable by conventional techniques such as size-exclusion chromatography, negative-staining transmission electron microscopy and silver staining, whereas the amyloid fibrillation detected by thioflavin T assay was greatly inhibited in vitro. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, we discovered that both Aβ42 and Aβ42(Y10F) generated protofibrils and fibrils with a high proportion of parallel β-sheet structures. Furthermore, protofibrils formed by other mutant Aβ peptides and N-terminally shortened peptides were incapable of inducing neuronal death, with the exception of Aβ42 and Aβ42(Y10F). Our findings indicate that the N-terminus of Aβ is important for its fibrillation and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ming Shi
- Key
Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research
on High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, China
| | - Hai-Yun Li
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Hang Liu
- Key
Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research
on High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, China
| | - Li Zhu
- School
of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yi-Bo Guo
- Key
Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research
on High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, China
| | - Jie Pei
- Lanzhou
Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hao An
- School
of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yan-Song Li
- Key
Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research
on High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, China
| | - Sha-Di Li
- Key
Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research
on High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, China
| | - Ze-Yu Zhang
- Key
Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research
on High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- School
of Medicine, University of Electronic Science
and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
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Poulot-Becq-Giraudon Y, Carrillo-de Sauvage MA, Escartin C. Astrocytes réactifs et maladies cérébrales. Med Sci (Paris) 2022; 38:786-794. [DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2022104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Les astrocytes sont des partenaires essentiels des neurones dans le système nerveux central. En réponse à de nombreuses maladies qui touchent le cerveau, les astrocytes subissent des modifications morphologiques, moléculaires et fonctionnelles : ils deviennent réactifs. Ces changements multiples sont susceptibles d’avoir un impact important sur les neurones, qui dépendent de nombreuses fonctions remplies par les astrocytes. La réponse de réactivité astrocytaire dépend du contexte pathologique. Il est donc indispensable de définir précisément les changements qui se produisent dans les astrocytes réactifs dans chaque situation pathologique, par des approches adaptées et sélectives. Cela permettra le développement de thérapies innovantes ciblant ces cellules partenaires des neurones, ainsi que l’identification de biomarqueurs spécifiques de certaines maladies cérébrales.
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Huang J, Li C, Shang H. Astrocytes in Neurodegeneration: Inspiration From Genetics. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:882316. [PMID: 35812232 PMCID: PMC9268899 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.882316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the discovery of numerous molecules and pathologies, the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases remains unknown. Genetics participates in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Neural dysfunction, which is thought to be a cell-autonomous mechanism, is insufficient to explain the development of neurodegenerative disease, implying that other cells surrounding or related to neurons, such as glial cells, are involved in the pathogenesis. As the primary component of glial cells, astrocytes play a variety of roles in the maintenance of physiological functions in neurons and other glial cells. The pathophysiology of neurodegeneration is also influenced by reactive astrogliosis in response to central nervous system (CNS) injuries. Furthermore, those risk-gene variants identified in neurodegenerations are involved in astrocyte activation and senescence. In this review, we summarized the relationships between gene variants and astrocytes in four neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), and provided insights into the implications of astrocytes in the neurodegenerations.
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