Age-dependent decline of nogo-a protein in the mouse cerebrum

Suv39h1 Silencing Recovers Memory Decline in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Mouse Model

Histone post-translational modifications play an important role in the regulation of long-term memory and modulation of expression of neuronal immediate early genes (IEGs). The lysine methyltransferase KMT1A/ Suv39h1 (a mammalian ortholog of the Drosophila melanogaster SU (VAR) 3-9) aids in the methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9. We previously reported that age-related memory decline is associated with an increase in Suv39h1 expression in the hippocampus of male mice. The scopolamine-induced amnesic mouse model is a well-known animal model of memory impairment. In the current study, we have made an attempt to find a link between the changes in the H3K9 trimethylation pattern and memory decline during scopolamine-induced amnesia. It was followed by checking the effect of siRNA-mediated silencing of hippocampal Suv39h1 on memory and expression of neuronal IEGs. Scopolamine treatment significantly increased global levels of H3K9me3 and Suv39h1 in the amnesic hippocampus. Suv39h1 silencing in amnesic mice reduced H3K9me3 levels at the neuronal IEGs (Arc and BDNF) promoter, increased the expression of Arc and BDNF in the hippocampus, and improved recognition memory. Thus, these findings suggest that the silencing of Suv39h1 alone or in combination with other epigenetic drugs might be effective for treating memory decline during amnesia.

Co-Expression of Nogo-A in Dopaminergic Neurons of the Human Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta Is Reduced in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is mainly characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Together with the small number, the high vulnerability of the dopaminergic neurons is a major pathogenic culprit of Parkinson’s disease. Our previous findings of a higher survival of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra co-expressing Nogo-A in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease suggested that Nogo-A may be associated with dopaminergic neurons resilience against Parkinson’s disease neurodegeneration. In the present study, we have addressed the expression of Nogo-A in the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in postmortem specimens of diseased and non-diseased subjects of different ages. For this purpose, in a collaborative effort we developed a tissue micro array (TMA) that allows for simultaneous staining of many samples in a single run. Interestingly, and in contrast to the observations gathered during normal aging and in the animal model of Parkinson’s disease, increasing age was significantly associated with a lower co-expression of Nogo-A in nigral dopaminergic neurons of patients with Parkinson’s disease. In sum, while Nogo-A expression in dopaminergic neurons is higher with increasing age, the opposite is the case in Parkinson’s disease. These observations suggest that Nogo-A might play a substantial role in the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.

The Clinical Significance of Cerebrospinal Fluid Reticulon 4 (RTN4) Levels in the Differential Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) belong to the top global causes of mortality. Diagnostic approaches to improve early diagnosis and differentiation of these diseases are constantly being sought. Therefore, we aimed to assess the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of Reticulon 4 (RTN4) in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and evaluate the potential clinical usefulness of this protein. RTNs are transmembrane proteins mediating neuroanatomical plasticity and functional recovery after central nervous system injury or diseases. According to our best knowledge, this is the first investigation providing the data concerning the dynamic of CSF RTN4 protein levels in patients with different NDs. Methods: Overall, 77 newly diagnosed patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as 21 controls, were enrolled in the study. The CSF concentrations of tested proteins were assessed using immunological assays. Results: We revealed significantly higher CSF RTN4A levels in patients with AD, PD, and MS in comparison to the controls. Moreover, the comparative analysis of RTN4 concentration between different neurodegenerative diseases revealed the highest concentration of RTN4A in AD patients and a statistically significant difference between AD vs. PD, and AD vs. MS groups. The increased CSF level of the protein correlated with Tau, and pTau181 proteins in AD as well as in PD patients. Conclusions: Our study presents a previously not identified clinical utility of RTN4 in the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

The Influence of Neuron-Extrinsic Factors and Aging on Injury Progression and Axonal Repair in the Central Nervous System

In the aging western population, the average age of incidence for spinal cord injury (SCI) has increased, as has the length of survival of SCI patients. This places great importance on understanding SCI in middle-aged and aging patients. Axon regeneration after injury is an area of study that has received substantial attention and made important experimental progress, however, our understanding of how aging affects this process, and any therapeutic effort to modulate repair, is incomplete. The growth and regeneration of axons is mediated by both neuron intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In this review we explore some of the key extrinsic influences on axon regeneration in the literature, focusing on inflammation and astrogliosis, other cellular responses, components of the extracellular matrix, and myelin proteins. We will describe how each element supports the contention that axonal growth after injury in the central nervous system shows an age-dependent decline, and how this may affect outcomes after a SCI.

A Nogo-Like Signaling Perspective from Birth to Adulthood and in Old Age: Brain Expression Patterns of Ligands, Receptors and Modulators

An appropriate strength of Nogo-like signaling is important to maintain synaptic homeostasis in the CNS. Disturbances have been associated with schizophrenia, MS and other diseases. Blocking Nogo-like signaling may improve recovery after spinal cord injury, stroke and traumatic brain injury. To understand the interacting roles of an increasing number of ligands, receptors and modulators engaged in Nogo-like signaling, the transcriptional activity of these genes in the same brain areas from birth to old age in the normal brain is needed. Thus, we have quantitatively mapped the innate expression of 11 important genes engaged in Nogo-like signaling. Using in situ hybridization, we located and measured the amount of mRNA encoding Nogo-A, OMgp, NgR1, NgR2, NgR3, Lingo-1, Troy, Olfactomedin, LgI1, ADAM22, and MAG, in 18 different brain areas at six different ages (P0, 1, 2, 4, 14, and 104 weeks). We show gene- and area-specific activities and how the genes undergo dynamic regulation during postnatal development and become stable during adulthood. Hippocampal areas underwent the largest changes over time. We only found differences between individual cortical areas in Troy and MAG. Subcortical areas presented the largest inter-regional differences; lateral and basolateral amygdala had markedly higher expression than other subcortical areas. The widespread differences and unique expression patterns of the different genes involved in Nogo-like signaling suggest that the functional complexes could look vastly different in different areas.

Epigenetic Regulation of Memory-Therapeutic Potential for Disorders

BACKGROUND

Memory is a vital function which declines in different physiological and pathological conditions such as aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Research in the past has reported that memory formation and consolidation require the precise expression of synaptic plasticity genes. However, little is known about the regulation of these genes. Epigenetic modification is now a well established mechanism that regulates synaptic plasticity genes and neuronal functions including memory. Therefore, we have reviewed the epigenetic regulation of memory and its therapeutic potential for memory dysfunction during aging and neurological disorders.

METHOD

Research reports and online contents relevant to epigenetic regulation of memory during physiological and pathological conditions have been compiled and discussed.

RESULTS

Epigenetic modifications include mainly DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, histone acetylation and methylation which involve chromatin modifying enzymes. These epigenetic marks change during memory formation and impairment due to dementia, aging and neurodegeneration. As the epigenetic modifications are reversible, they can be modulated by enzyme inhibitors leading to the recovery of memory.

CONCLUSION

Epigenetic modifications could be exploited as a potential therapeutic target to recover memory disorders during aging and pathological conditions.

Histone Deacetylase 2 Inhibition Attenuates Downregulation of Hippocampal Plasticity Gene Expression during Aging

The brain undergoes several anatomical, biochemical, and molecular changes during aging, which subsequently result in downregulation of synaptic plasticity genes and decline of memory. However, the regulation of these genes during aging is not clearly understood. Previously, we reported that the expression of histone deacetylase (HDAC)2 was upregulated in the hippocampus of old mice and negatively correlated with the decline in recognition memory. As HDAC2 regulates key synaptic plasticity neuronal immediate early genes (IEGs), we have examined their expression and epigenetic regulation. We noted that the expression of neuronal IEGs decreased both at mRNA and protein level in the hippocampus of old mice. To explore the underlying regulation, we analyzed the binding of HDAC2 and level of histone acetylation at the promoter of neuronal IEGs. While the binding of HDAC2 was higher, H3K9 and H3K14 acetylation level was lower at the promoter of these genes in old as compared to young and adult mice. Further, we inhibited HDAC2 non-specifically by sodium butyrate and specifically by antisense oligonucleotide to recover epigenetic modification, expression of neuronal IEGs, and memory in old mice. Inhibition of HDAC2 increased histone H3K9 and H3K14 acetylation level at the promoter of neuronal IEGs, their expression, and recognition memory in old mice as compared to control. Thus, inhibition of HDAC2 can be used as a therapeutic target to recover decline in memory due to aging and associated neurological disorders.

Epigenetic regulation of neuronal immediate early genes is associated with decline in their expression and memory consolidation in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice

Recently, we reported a correlation of scopolamine mediated decline in memory consolidation with increase in the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in the mouse hippocampus. Memory consolidation is a protein synthesis-dependent process which involves the expression of synaptic plasticity genes, particularly neuronal immediate early genes (IEGs). However, the mechanism of regulation of these genes during decline in memory is poorly understood. Therefore, we have studied the epigenetic regulation of expression of neuronal IEGs in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. Scopolamine significantly impaired memory consolidation as tested by radial arm maze, and the expression of neuronal IEGs was downregulated in the hippocampus as revealed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Further, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) analysis showed increase in DNA methylation, while chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed decrease in H3K9/14 acetylation at the promoter of neuronal IEGs. Taken together, the present study shows that increased DNA methylation and decreased histone acetylation at the promoter of neuronal IEGs are associated with decline in their expression and memory consolidation during scopolamine-induced amnesia. These findings suggest that the epigenetic regulation through altered DNA methylation and histone acetylation might be explored further to develop potential therapeutic interventions for amnesia.

Spatiotemporal expression of Nogo-66 receptor after focal cerebral ischemia

NgR, the receptor for the neurite outgrowth inhibitor Nogo-66, plays a critical role in the plasticity and regeneration of the nervous system after injury such as ischemic stroke. In the present study, we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the regional expression of NgR in rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). NgR protein expression was not observed in the center of the lesion, but was elevated in the marginal zone compared with control and sham-operated rats. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus (CA1, CA2, and CA3) showed the greatest expression of NgR. Furthermore, NgR expression was higher in the ipsilesional hemisphere than on the control side in the same coronal section. Although time-dependent changes in NgR expression across brain regions had their own characteristics, the overall trend complied with the following rules: NgR expression changes with time showed two peaks and one trough; the first peak in expression appeared between 1 and 3 days after MCAO; expression declined at 5 days; and the second peak occurred at 28 days.

Age-associated Cognitive Decline: Insights into Molecular Switches and Recovery Avenues

Age-associated cognitive decline is an inevitable phenomenon that predisposes individuals for neurological and psychiatric disorders eventually affecting the quality of life. Scientists have endeavored to identify the key molecular switches that drive cognitive decline with advancing age. These newly identified molecules are then targeted as recovery of cognitive aging and related disorders. Cognitive decline during aging is multi-factorial and amongst several factors influencing this trajectory, gene expression changes are pivotal. Identifying these genes would elucidate the neurobiological underpinnings as well as offer clues that make certain individuals resilient to withstand the inevitable age-related deteriorations. Our laboratory has focused on this aspect and investigated a wide spectrum of genes involved in crucial brain functions that attribute to senescence induced cognitive deficits. We have recently identified master switches in the epigenome regulating gene expression alteration during brain aging. Interestingly, these factors when manipulated by chemical or genetic strategies successfully reverse the age-related cognitive impairments. In the present article, we review findings from our laboratory and others combined with supporting literary evidences on molecular switches of brain aging and their potential as recovery targets.

Non-clinical development of ozanezumab: a humanised antibody targeting the amino terminus of neurite outgrowth inhibitor A (Nogo-A)

Ozanezumab (GSK1223249) is a humanised, Fc-disabled, monoclonal antibody (mAb) which targets the amino terminus of Neurite Outgrowth Inhibitor A (Nogo-A) which is currently being developed for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

A novel centrosome and microtubules associated subcellular localization of Nogo-A: implications for neuronal development

Oligodendrocyte-derived neurite-outgrowth inhibitor Nogo-A and its restriction mechanism are well-known. Recently, Nogo-A is reported to be abundantly expressed in neurons, however, the concrete link between neuronal Nogo-A and neuronal development is poorly understood. In the present study, we used Neuro2A and COS7 cell lines to clarify that Nogo-A largely distributed in the centrosome and microtubules-rich regions. When endogenous Nogo-A was down-regulated with RNA interference, the percentage of cell differentiation and the total neurite length of Neuro2A exposed to valproic acid (VPA) decreased sharply. Furthermore, in primary neurons, acetylated α-tubulin decreased at the tips of neurites where endogenous Nogo-A was still highly expressed. In HEK293FT cell lines, Nogo-A overexpression could redistribute acetylated α-tubulin but not change the level of α-tubulin. Together, our data discovered that centrosome- and microtubules-localized Nogo-A positively regulates neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth of Neuro2A cell lines, implicating the essential roles of subcellular Nogo-A in neuronal development.