1
|
Cendrowska U, Silva PJ, Ait-Bouziad N, Müller M, Guven ZP, Vieweg S, Chiki A, Radamaker L, Kumar ST, Fändrich M, Tavanti F, Menziani MC, Alexander-Katz A, Stellacci F, Lashuel HA. Unraveling the complexity of amyloid polymorphism using gold nanoparticles and cryo-EM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:6866-6874. [PMID: 32161130 PMCID: PMC7104366 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1916176117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that amyloid polymorphism gives rise to different strains of amyloids with distinct toxicities and pathology-spreading properties. Validating this hypothesis is challenging due to a lack of tools and methods that allow for the direct characterization of amyloid polymorphism in hydrated and complex biological samples. Here, we report on the development of 11-mercapto-1-undecanesulfonate-coated gold nanoparticles (NPs) that efficiently label the edges of synthetic, recombinant, and native amyloid fibrils derived from different amyloidogenic proteins. We demonstrate that these NPs represent powerful tools for assessing amyloid morphological polymorphism, using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The NPs allowed for the visualization of morphological features that are not directly observed using standard imaging techniques, including transmission electron microscopy with use of the negative stain or cryo-EM imaging. The use of these NPs to label native paired helical filaments (PHFs) from the postmortem brain of a patient with Alzheimer's disease, as well as amyloid fibrils extracted from the heart tissue of a patient suffering from systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis, revealed a high degree of homogeneity across the fibrils derived from human tissue in comparison with fibrils aggregated in vitro. These findings are consistent with, and strongly support, the emerging view that the physiologic milieu is a key determinant of amyloid fibril strains. Together, these advances should not only facilitate the profiling and characterization of amyloids for structural studies by cryo-EM, but also pave the way to elucidate the structural basis of amyloid strains and toxicity, and possibly the correlation between the pathological and clinical heterogeneity of amyloid diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Cendrowska
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paulo Jacob Silva
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Ait-Bouziad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie Müller
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zekiye Pelin Guven
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Vieweg
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lynn Radamaker
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Senthil T Kumar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Fändrich
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Francesco Tavanti
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Menziani
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alfredo Alexander-Katz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Francesco Stellacci
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Theunis C, Adolfsson O, Crespo-Biel N, Piorkowska K, Pihlgren M, Hickman DT, Gafner V, Borghgraef P, Devijver H, Pfeifer A, Van Leuven F, Muhs A. Novel Phospho-Tau Monoclonal Antibody Generated Using a Liposomal Vaccine, with Enhanced Recognition of a Conformational Tauopathy Epitope. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 56:585-599. [PMID: 28035925 PMCID: PMC5271481 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein Tau is an intrinsically unfolded, very soluble neuronal protein. Under still unknown circumstances, Tau protein forms soluble oligomers and insoluble aggregates that are closely linked to the cause and progression of various brain pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease. Previously we reported the development of liposome-based vaccines and their efficacy and safety in preclinical mouse models for tauopathy. Here we report the use of a liposomal vaccine for the generation of a monoclonal antibody with particular characteristics that makes it a valuable tool for fundamental studies as well as a candidate antibody for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The specificity and affinity of antibody ACI-5400 were characterized by a panel of methods: (i) measuring the selectivity for a specific phospho-Tau epitope known to be associated with tauopathy, (ii) performing a combination of peptide and protein binding assays, (iii) staining of brain sections from mouse preclinical tauopathy models and from human subjects representing six different tauopathies, and (iv) evaluating the selective binding to pathological epitopes on extracts from tauopathy brains in non-denaturing sandwich assays. We conclude that the ACI-5400 antibody binds to protein Tau phosphorylated at S396 and favors a conformation that is typically present in the brain of tauopathy patients, including Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Theunis
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oskar Adolfsson
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Crespo-Biel
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kasia Piorkowska
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Pihlgren
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David T Hickman
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valérie Gafner
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Borghgraef
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Herman Devijver
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrea Pfeifer
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fred Van Leuven
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andreas Muhs
- AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
N-truncated Aβ peptides in complex fluids unraveled by new specific immunoassays. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 34:523-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
4
|
Sergeant N, Wattez A, Galván-valencia M, Ghestem A, David JP, Lemoine J, Sautiére PE, Dachary J, Mazat JP, Michalski JC, Velours J, Mena-López R, Delacourte A. Association of ATP synthase alpha-chain with neurofibrillary degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroscience 2003; 117:293-303. [PMID: 12614671 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) are the two hallmarks that characterize Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to find the molecular partners of these degenerating processes, we have developed antibodies against insoluble AD brain lesions. One clone, named AD46, detects only NFT. Biochemical and histochemistry analyses demonstrate that the labeled protein accumulating in the cytosol of Alzheimer degenerating neurons is the alpha-chain of the ATP synthase. The cytosolic accumulation of the alpha-chain of ATP synthase is observed even at early stages of neurofibrillary degenerating process. It is specifically observed in degenerating neurons, either alone or tightly associated with aggregates of tau proteins, suggesting that it is a new molecular event related to neurodegeneration. Overall, our results strongly suggest the implication of the alpha-chain of ATP synthase in neurofibrillary degeneration of AD that is illustrated by the cytosolic accumulation of this mitochondrial protein, which belongs to the mitochondrial respiratory system. This regulatory subunit of the respiratory complex V of mitochondria is thus a potential target for therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Sergeant
- Unite INSERM 422, 1, Place de Verdun, Lille Cedex 59045, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Torreilles F, Roquet F, Granier C, Pau B, Mourton-Gilles C. Binding specificity of monoclonal antibody AD2: influence of the phosphorylation state of tau. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2000; 78:181-5. [PMID: 10891598 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(00)00073-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Using recombinant human tau protein phosphorylated by a brain extract and the glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in the absence or the presence of heparin, we showed that phosphorylation-dependent antibody AD2 recognition only requires phosphorylated Ser-396. By the Spot multiple peptide synthesis method, we showed that Tyr-394, Ser(P)-396 and Pro-397 are critical for AD2 binding. A decrease in the binding of AD2 was observed with increasing phosphorylation of residues in the vicinity of Ser(P)-396.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Torreilles
- CNRS UMR 5094 Institut de Biotechnologie en Immunoanalyse et Pharmacologie UFR Pharmacie, 15 Av. Charles Flahault, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sergeant N, David JP, Lefranc D, Vermersch P, Wattez A, Delacourte A. Different distribution of phosphorylated tau protein isoforms in Alzheimer's and Pick's diseases. FEBS Lett 1997; 412:578-82. [PMID: 9276470 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)00859-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Tau proteins aggregate into different neuronal inclusions in several neurodegenerative disorders. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), hyperphosphorylated Tau from paired helical filaments (PHF) of neurofibrillary tangles, named PHF-Tau, have an electrophoretic profile with four main bands (Tau 55, 64, 69, 74 kDa). In Pick's disease, phosphorylated Tau from Pick bodies are made of two major components (Tau 55, 64 kDa) and a minor 69 kDa. Here we show, using specific antibodies against translated exon 2, 3 or 10 of Tau isoforms, that the set of Tau isoforms engaged in the most insoluble part of PHF in AD is made of Tau isoforms with exon 10 while they are lacking in phosphorylated Tau from Pick's disease. Our results suggest that specific sets of Tau isoforms distinguish between typical neuronal inclusions.
Collapse
|
7
|
Buée-Scherrer V, Condamines O, Mourton-Gilles C, Jakes R, Goedert M, Pau B, Delacourte A. AD2, a phosphorylation-dependent monoclonal antibody directed against tau proteins found in Alzheimer's disease. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 1996; 39:79-88. [PMID: 8804716 DOI: 10.1016/0169-328x(96)00003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by an intraneuronal aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins into paired helical filaments. The hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins induces a decrease in their electrophoretic mobility, resulting in a pathological tau triplet referred to as tau 55, 64 and 69 or tau-PHF. We have developed monoclonal antibodies directed against this pathological tau triplet. In the present article, we report the properties of antibody AD2, which detects the hyperphosphorylated tau proteins forming paired helical filaments during Alzheimer's disease. Using immunoblotting, AD2 exclusively labeled the tau triplet, while normal tau proteins from control cases were not immunodetected. Furthermore, AD2 is highly specific in that it was able to detect the triplet not only in tau preparations but also in total brain homogenates from Alzheimer's disease patients. The binding of this monoclonal antibody to tau proteins is phosphorylation dependent. Characterization of this antibody allowed us to identify its epitope as containing phosphorylated Ser-396 with the participation of phosphorylated Ser-404. AD2 was also shown to label normal tau proteins from rapidly processed brain tissues, but its epitope is rapidly dephosphorylated during postmortem intervals. However, in autopsic brains, AD2 still represents a valuable tool to investigate neurofibrillary degeneration at the biochemical and immunocytochemical levels.
Collapse
|
8
|
Couratier P, Lesort M, Condamines O, Mourton-Gilles C, Delacourte A, Hugon J. Phorbol ester enhances phosphorylated tau protein immunoreactivity in neuronal cultures. Neurosci Lett 1996; 203:155-8. [PMID: 8742016 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(96)12302-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neurofibrillary degeneration which results from the aggregation of phosphorylated tau proteins into paired helical filament (PHF) structures. AD2 is a new monoclonal antibody raised against PHF tau which detects neurofibrillary tangles in AD brain. In primary neuronal cultures, phorbol ester treatment induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in AD2 immunoreactivity quantified by laser confocal microscopy and immunoblottings. Alkaline phosphatase treatment reversed these immunocytochemical changes. These results suggest that the modifications of neuronal metabolism induced by phorbol ester including protein kinase C activation produce an increase in phosphorylated tau immunoreactivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Couratier
- Unite de Neurobiologie et Pathologie Cellulaire, Laboratoire d'Histologie, Faculte de Medecine, Limoges Cedex, France
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|